9 Ways To Tackle The Autumn Blues

Shorter days and lack of sunshine reduce our body’s production of serotonin, the happy hormone, leaving us depressed and tired and craving carbs. People tend to hibernate when the weather gets chilly and I completely understand why. It not easy being out in the cold. But cooler weather does not necessarily mean you have to stay indoors. 

Get Outside

Although the whether gets colder, it is still important to get outdoors. By doing so, you can boost your mood and self-esteem. Researchers have found that a walk surrounded by nature lifts your spirits whereas a walk in a city can actually increase depression. So make sure to visit your local park or forest and enjoy those beautiful fall colors.

Exercise

Of course exercising in the morning is the best way to go. Researchers agree that getting up 30 minutes earlier to squeeze in your workout in efforts to boost your energy level for the rest of your day. It gives your endorphins a high for up to 7 hours. It makes it easier to fit in exercise to your busy schedule if you squeeze it in the morning before the chaos begins.

Have Some Red Wine

My all time favorite! Since our bellys are tired of the summer booze, give your liver a break this fall and have some wine. It will make you feel happier.

Watch Movies

Since its probably too cold to go out, grab some pita bread and hummus and cuddle in front of the TV for some movies. Make Friday nights movie nights at your house, that way you have something to look forward to after a long stressful week or work.

Plan a Coffee Date

Or a “warm beverage date” for those of you that do not like or do not drink coffee. I love warm beverage when its cold outside; a nice hot cocoa is actually my favorite for those cold nights.

Bake

The good thing about Fall is all the pumpkin and apple flavored stuff that you do not get any other time of the year. Pumpkin Spice now comes in EVERYTHING. So bake a nice warm apple pie or a pumpkin spiced cheesecake.

Set Goals

Goal setting is a really good tactic to use for any season. During summer months, we usually slow down on our businesses because we just cannot miss the next family BBQ or pool party. Since its cold out, everything seems to slow down therefore allowing us to focus on whatever it is we are trying to accomplish.

Plan A Girl Get Together

Having a great group of friends is always a great way to uplift your spirits. Since its cold, its so much easier to just cuddle in front of the TV but make it a point to plan a girl’s get together at least once a week. A night with the ladies having some good gossip over home cooked meals is a guaranteed way to make you feel much better.

Get Your Sleeping Schedule in Check

Waking up exhausted and craving more sleep is common in Fall. Longer hours of darkness cause an increased amount of melatonin – the sleepy hormone, making you feel sleepy in the day but restless at night. We tend to make the problem worst by overriding our natural sleep/wake systems by drinking coffee to stay alert and using alcohol to sedate us at night. But stick to your usual bedtime routine and get up at the same time everyday.

Be sure to comment below and let me know what types of things you enjoy to do in the Fall.