How I Cope With the Shorter Days

My Autumn self-care

The clocks changed here at the end of October which means that for a little while we have lighter mornings and darker early evenings.  It's about this time of year that I struggle more with my moods being low due to the shorter days.

Autumn in the UK where I live in the northwest generally means darker, dull days with grey skies and more often than not; rain.  On the days I feel lower than normal with my moods I have various different tools that I use to help me feel better or help me through the day till it’s time to go too bad and then I may very well wake up in a better mood. 

I think about things that I'm grateful for;

- a quiet morning to journal

- that first cup of tea of the day

- the blue sky that peeps from behind the clouds 

- my home

I take slow deep breaths whenever I feel my anxiety is bubbling up and my body is tensing up.  I make a point of un-clenching my jaw and relaxing my shoulders.

I clean and clear my space a bit and put things back to where they're meant to be.

I eat my autumnal comfort foods like my homemade Quorn bolognese.

I get outside in the fresh air and take a walk or even sometimes just stand in the back garden and look at the sky, clouds and listen to all the sounds around me; the traffic, the neighbours doing their garden and the birds as well.

I look at ways that I can be kinder to myself that day especially; 

- drink plenty of water (I tend to do this anyway)

- eat healthy foods

- but I allow myself the odd treat

- text a friend if I need help

- have an early night

- journal my thoughts

- make plans to meet up with friends

- take a nap

- watch a feel-good film

These are just some of the self-care tools I use.  Do you struggle with the shorter days and if so, what tools do you do to help yourself?