As autumn descends and we resign ourselves to the shorter, darker days that come with this time of year, it’s not unusual to find yourself mourning the loss of the long, light evenings and sunny days of summer. But the arrival of autumn doesn’t have to mean giving into the fatigue, lethargy and low mood that many people experience – or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as it is also known – and by making a few simple tweaks to your lifestyle, you can enter the final quarter of the year feeling positive and ready to dive head first into the lead-up to Christmas.
Often the busiest time of year for businesses, autumn can leave you feeling frazzled from trying to keep up with the hectic pace of life – and when you add in planning and buying presents for the festive season, it can quickly begin to feel like all too much to handle. But by nourishing your body with the right foods and establishing a routine that makes you feel good, you really can make this your best autumn yet.
Focus on nutrition
It is often said that we are what we eat, and this actually couldn’t be more true. Eating a well-balanced and nourishing diet isn’t just about maintaining a healthy weight and looking good in the mirror, but about providing your body with all the ingredients it needs for its important physiological functions so that you can continue firing on all cyclinders and feeling full of energy. Cutting out food groups is a big no-no at any time of year, and in the autumn, getting the full range of vitamins and minerals your body needs becomes even more pertinent.
With reduced exposure to sunshine and less time spent in daylight in general, our Vitamin D levels can suffer, while those not getting enough iron may experience fatigue and lethargy that feels even worse with the shorter, darker days. Opt for fresh, seasonal produce like sweet potatoes, apples and butternut squash, all of which are at their best and offer the best nutritional punch in autumn. Try to ‘eat the rainbow’, getting in plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables of all colours to get the broadest possible range of vitamins and minerals, keep your protein intake high and fuel yourself with complex carbohydrates for the extra slow-release energy boost we often need at this time of year.
Stay active
As the temperatures drop and the weather becomes increasingly wet and windy, it can be tempting to stay indoors and hibernate until springtime, but being sedentary will do little to help your health – including the physical, mental and emotional. Spending time in nature has been shown to be uplifting and beneficial for our mental health and wellbeing, and keeping moving is generally good for the heart, muscles and the body as a whole, so try to head outside for a walk each day on your lunch break, or even better, first thing in the morning.
When you feel exhausted, exercise is often the last thing you feel like doing, but a short, sharp session at the gym or even some gentle yoga can go a long way towards boosting both your energy levels and mood, leaving you feeling better equipped to take on the demands of everyday life.
Take a break
Most people opt to take time off work during the summer months, then work right through until Christmas – but scheduling in a short break – whether it’s a single day you can dedicate to ‘me time’ or a long weekend away with family can help to put some fuel back in your tank and keep you going throughout the autumn months and make this often trying time of year feel more manageable. Mental health and wellness often takes a backseat when life gets busy, but as they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup – and taking some time off to refill yours could make all the difference to how you feel over the next few months.
Use Leave Dates to schedule in some time off and manage your annual leave. Whether you book in a spa break, register for a yoga retreat or simply spend some time curled up at home with a good book, doing so will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to carry on as the best version of yourself.
