A rise in colds and other illnesses, more trouble getting out and about due to the unpredictable weather, the lack of sunshine and its all important vitamin D, are just some of the potential pitfalls autumn brings, and unfortunately it’s likely going to be tougher this year than most to find the beauty in the darker evenings. After months of being cooped up and missing out on all the summer fun, the idea of remaining indoors while the weather turns colder and the mornings and evenings get darker, is understandable causing some unease for many people.
So, in this blog, we wanted to share some top tips on staying well as we transition into the colder months of the year.
We are big fans of comfort food, but when it comes to staying healthy and well during autumn and winter, eating well is the best place to start. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be dull or hard. There are plenty of ways to get those essential vegetables, vitamins and other nutritional necessities in your food. And if you like to cook, autumn is the perfect season to do it because there’s an abundance of delicious veggies available to be transformed into soups, casseroles, and pies. If you’re not a natural born chef, now could be the time to test your skills, but if you’d rather not, then there are plenty of shop-bought options. Definitely sprinkle in a few treats here and there, but overall aim to get those nutrients from hearty, healthy meals, because they are the best way to boost your energy and mood during the darker seasons.
You know yourself better than anyone, so the best way to stay healthy as the year rolls on is to keep a close eye on how you’re feeling. This is obviously important all year round, but the fact is that in the latter half of the year we tend to be less active, we often spend more time inside, and interact with fewer people (although that’s clearly been a theme all year, sadly). What this means is that it can become easier for illness, injury or poor mental health to sneak up on us. Luckily, you do have the power to prevent that – just check in with yourself on a daily basis. How does your body feel? What do you need to feel energised and healthy today? How are you feeling emotionally? Do you need support from outside, or just some time alone? Once you get into the habit of regularly checking in with yourself, it will become much easier to preempt possible issues, get the help or make the changes you need right away and stop them from causing any trouble.
Whether it’s your body or mind that is feeling discomfort from all the recent upheaval and the coming of cold, dark nights, there are always things you can do to treat yourself more kindly. This could mean speaking to a therapist to help you work through your emotional reaction to recent events, or it could be attending an osteopath appointment to give your back the TLC it needs after sitting at a desk for too many hours a day. The form of care your body and mind need will naturally depend on your circumstances, but even a small change or little moment of pampering or focus can do wonders.
Regardless of the current situation, or the colder weather, it’s so important to remember that whatever you are going through, there is always someone out there who can help.
It might be friends, colleagues, your community, a forum on social media, or a trained professional, but no matter what you are experiencing, if you need help, please ask for it.
If you are experiencing a health concern, reach out to your doctor. If you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to a friend or arrange to see a counsellor. If you just hate being cooped up alone, reach out on social media and connect with others who share your interests. No matter how it might feel sometimes, you really are never alone. And if you want to see some friendly faces, you can always pop into the Meadows Wellbeing practice and say hi to our team!
While it’s important we focus on our own wellbeing as a priority, the truth is that sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves, is to do good for others.
If you are in a position to offer your time, skills, or support to a worthy cause, you may find that it offers many wonderful benefits. Depending on how you choose to contribute, you might meet some interesting new people, learn a new skill, improve your fitness, or just enjoy the warm feeling that comes with helping others.
Those are just some of our ideas for staying well as we move further into autumn.
Of course there are many other things you can do, and we actively encourage you to do whatever it is you need to do to keep well. Whether that’s staying indoors reading your favourite book, or getting outside every day to take in the fresh air.
In most cases, it will probably be a mix of a lot of things, but whatever you do, stay well and keep cosy.
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