This is a collaborative post with Villa Plus.
Summer has finally come to an end, and we’ve rung in the Autumn Equinox today. Strictly Come Dancing has started, the clocks will soon be put back, and Christmas will follow not too shortly after that. For some of us, winter can become quite hard to cope with and can be little bit depressing. But there are advantages to Autumn (which I’m ready to get my teeth stuck in to: fire season, hot chocolates with whipped cream and marshmallows, bonfire night and halloween!) It’s a great chance to reflect on things, and spend some time with yourself. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways we might look after ourselves over the course of the season.
A lack of regular sunlight is one of the things that can grind you down at this time of year. Sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder might consider investing in a light box. This device is designed to replicate the serotonin-boosting effects of sunlight. In short, they make you feel better than you otherwise would. This is something I’ve been thinking about getting for a long time to help with the winter blues!
Of course, you might ease the problem also by finding time to get out into the sunlight during the middle of the day. If you work in an office, try to spend your lunch hour out in the open, take a walk or wrap up warm and take a book outside to read on a park bench.
If you find that your seasonal depression is becoming a real problem, then make sure you take the time to contact a doctor about it. They may be able to recommend a quality light box – or they might decide that other treatments are warranted in your own circumstances.
Don’t suffer in silence.
Scented candles help to create the required chilled-out vibe in your home. They come in a range of scents, and give your living space the sort of natural firelight which we instinctively crave. Or, if candles aren’t your thing, you can always try aromatherapy oils too which you can rub in to your skin or add to a warm bath – one of the most perfect ways to unwind!
Oh how I could write an ode to the simple cup of tea about how one sugary, hot drink can make almost everything seem so much better in a flick of a kettle switch. It really is a hug in a mug that makes you stop for say, 10 minutes to take a breather.
One thing that’s likely to sap your energy is a lack of regular sleep. Now that the evenings have started rolling in earlier, it’s definitely worth hopping in to bed at say 10, 9, or even 8 – that way you can rise early and get ahead of your commitments throughout the day.
Set aside a Reading Space There is no better way to unwind than with the help of a great book. Reading a book confers many of the benefits that are more often than not associated with meditation. It improves concentration, reduces stress, and it’ll also entertain you in the process. Wrap up nice and cosy in a blanket, pour a cup of hot chocolate, and settle back into your reading space.
Plus, limit your screen time, I’ve been cutting mine back at least half an hour before I want to go to sleep and it’s doing me the world of good!
If you’re tired of your surroundings, and can’t bear the idea of getting through weeks and weeks before Christmas finally arrives, then why not break apart the season with a trip abroad? Villa holidays in particular allow you to soak up some sunshine outside of the country, and catch up on that all-important ‘me’ time, without your work commitments looming over you. I know I’m certainly ready for my trip to Mexico in October!
Bee
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