It's that time of year, when people in the UK seem surprised if it's a bit cold and dark and wet outside…
Happens every year so I'm not really sure what's to be gained from moaning about it?
Sure; talk about it, discuss it - it's what we British traditionally do - but there's no benefit to complaining about anything that we can do absolutely nothing about!
In fact it has a negative impact on our health:
Why let it affect your mood? Why let it affect your day? And then why introduce the possibility of it affecting someone else's???
And besides, nature and the eco-systems don't work without “weather”!
S.A.D. IS REAL
I appreciate that SAD is real, and there are a few people who really are seriously affected by it
However…
Not going outside all day is real too
Only being exposed to artificial light most of the time is real too
Staring at screens for hours on end is real too
Is it any surprise that people feel a bit low and lethargic if much of the day is spent “warm and cosy” with the central heating on, in artificial light, then if they do venture outside they're wrapped up like the Michelin man (or woman)?
Is it any surprise if people feel like 5h!t if as a result of all of these things they spend even less time moving and even more time sitting on their backsides?
Then complain to everyone about the cold, the damp, the dark, the wind, and whatever else?
Then “cheer themselves up” (for about 3 minutes) with some “comfort food”?
Rant over. I'm aware I've been moaning…about moaning! Perhaps I'm exaggerating, but sure you get the point
So lets shift gears into what to do if you actually want to change things, feel more energised and get rid of the “Winter Blues”
TIME TO SEE THE LIGHT
It's absolutely true that it is more difficult - and there is less opportunity - to be outside in daylight hours at this time of year
But because of this, it's even more important you make the opportunity to get outside during the day: going for a walk at lunchtime is one of the best solutions for this and ticks a lot of health benefit boxes
DO expose yourself to the elements - we're designed for it and our physiology responds to changes in temperature, to getting wet from time to time and to feeling the wind in our faces.
It makes us feel alive
.
And it also becomes even more important you keep up your exercise to create some endorphins to boost your mood
It is also worth getting your vitamin D levels tested - this alone can affect your energy, mood, immune system and much more. If you're heading towards Winter and your levels are already low, that's not going to help
(This is not medical advice: I've had mine tested a number of times and I need 5000IU pretty much every day throughout the year to keep my levels optimal. Many supplements contain only 500 or 1000IU so even if you're supplementing already it's worth getting your level checked)
Finally, look out for and focus on what is nice and what you enjoy about Autumn and Winter: Do you like the colours of the leaves? Sitting by the fire? Looking forward to Christmas?
Whatever it is for you.
But above all: Make sure you see the light and move your body!
Thanks for reading,
Darren
