Since we're in the height of Autumn, and the weather is definitely getting me down at the very least, the lovely Laura from The Creators Tribe has come to share her tips on how to beat those autumn blues. Leave her some nice comments and be sure to spread the love as she's a good egg!
Autumn... the season of pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin everything, warm teas. But also the season of unpredictable weather changes, decreasing daylight, energy drops, and general blues. All of a sudden, you have no idea where that beautiful energy and good mood you had during the summer has gone. It's very common to suffer from autumn blues. Don't worry! Getting your energy and good mood back is easier than it looks!
Try to get as much sunshine as possible
As the temperatures lower, the days become shorter and the weather is colder, spending time outside in the sun becomes more and more difficult. This lack of sunlight is one of the causes of the dreaded autumn blues. You get less vitamin D, less fresh air, less movement in general. So whenever you get a sunny day, try to get out during the day. I like to take a walk during my lunch break because it is also warmer outside at that time and I can really enjoy my hour. This boosts my mood and my energy levels almost instantly.
Another alternative, if you are predisposed to an energy slump after lunch is to take the walk at that moment. You won't force yourself to work at a moment when you're inefficient anyway and you'll get all the benefits of taking a walk outside. The risk of UV radiation is smaller during this time, but still, remember to put on sunscreen.
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Stay active
The next issue many of us face once autumn comes is being less active. The summer is a perfect season to stay active, play sports, take long walks. Come autumn, we start decreasing our activity level. While the first tip, going outside as much as possible can be a fix, the reality is, as the weather gets worst, we might need more. The gym can be your best friend at this point. You don't have to do something hard if you don't like that. Yoga, dancing or pilates are very good options as well. Staying active will help increase your mood and kick those autumn blues away!
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Adjust your sleeping schedule
During the summer, many of us tend to sleep less, for various reasons. As much as your work allows it, try to adjust your sleeping schedule a bit. I'm not saying you should go to bed as soon as it gets dark. However, make sure you get your 8 hours of sleep. In this time of the year, our immune systems are vulnerable and not getting enough sleep puts us at an even greater risk of getting sick. No one likes that! Many recommend waking up to the sunshine. Unfortunately, with our busy work schedules, commutes and more, this is not always possible. In this case, go to sleep earlier if that's what you need to do to make sure you get the proper amount of sleep.
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Don't forget about food
Nutrition plays an important role in our lives, not only for our weight but our energy and mood as well. Choose foods that boost your serotonin levels, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, pears. The general idea is to eat with the season. Nature always provides exactly what we need. Try to resist the urge to go for sugars and simple carbs like pasta and bread. It may think they make you feel great, but they'll only give you a sugar rush, you'll likely feel more tired after that and you'll probably gain a few pounds.
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Go on a vacation
This is not an advice you hear very often in this season, but it's something that can cure you of those autumn blues for good. Most of us take our vacations during the summer, and that's great. But come autumn there's this dreaded feeling that we won't get a real break from work until Christmas. So try to schedule a vacation, even if it's a short one such as a weekend city break where you might take Friday or Monday off to make it a bit longer. Who said that just because it's autumn you can't travel? Relaxation is important in every season, so remember to take care of yourself.
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I hope these tips help you fight those autumn blues and enjoy this beautiful season. Find something to enjoy in every moment and if possible, laugh every day!
Laura is the blogger behind The Creators Tribe. She loves to travel, eat chocolate, and drink wine. She likes to write motivational blog posts, tips for writers and editors but also advice on how to live a healthy lifestyle, eat right and exercise to feel your best.
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Mid Autumn Festival approaches, and the time comes for me to shove an ungodly amount of mooncakes into my mouth. But, before we dive into the cosy autumn months, let's take a quick look at this past summer through the lens of food!