Can you believe the summer months are officially over? This year, my husband and I went away for the first time for several years, on a 12-night cruise in the British Isles. We had a whole 12 days and nights of doing just what we chose to do! The result was, we came back recharged and ready to take on our usual responsibilities with a new vigour that we hadn’t felt in years! I wish everyone could have a vacation like that, that can recharge you physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you didn’t manage it this year, put it on your to do list. It truly is rejuvenating.
Autumn has officially arrived. The season brings along with it the usual unpredictable and changeable weather. Sunshine, rain, and winds can change the day's outlook hourly. The landscape changes too as it prepares for the winter season.
It can also become a time of change and preparation for us, as our bodies and minds get ready to take on the colder months ahead.
When I think of this season, I always think of hibernating animals getting ready for the winter months, during which they will be preparing for sleeping through it. They eat larger amounts of food which is stored in their fat cells that helps them get through winter as they sleep.
Whilst I certainly wouldn’t condone this type of behaviour for humans, as we all know doing this can cause a myriad of health problems due to overindulgence. However, these hibernating actions can teach us some lessons about being prepared for the colder months ahead.
Whilst researching this topic I came across this article that I think you may find interesting. It highlights the changes our bodies experience during the winter months. It really is worth a read. https://bestlifeonline.com/ways-body-stays-warm-winter/
In addition, here are 3 suggestions that may help you to prepare for the darker nights ahead:
● Vitamin D replacement - Vitamin D is nicknamed the sunshine vitamin. This is due to the simple fact that it is wholly available during the sunshiny days of summer. However, in winter, due to obvious reasons, the weather can bring on a shortage of this necessary vitamin. Use this link to have a look of the health benefits of Vitamin D and what to do if you think you are lacking in this vitamin. .https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
● Seasonal Affective Disorder - This is a mental condition that can happen to some during the winter season, due to lack of sunlight. Its symptoms are very much like that of someone who is suffering from Depression. This may help to explain some unusual mental or emotional symptoms that you may experience during the days of shorter daylight hours. For further details please follow the link below.
● Keep Active - It is quite tempting to come home from work and flop in front of the television or fire to read a good book. But the need to keep active during this season is still as poignant as the summer months. Perhaps, you can go for a brisk walk in your lunch break or cycle on the weekends. Try to find a way to keep moving. This alone can help your body to produce more of the feel-good hormone serotonin which can help to give you a much-needed feeling of wellbeing.
Being intentional and preparing for the onset of the winter months can help us to keep the winter blues away and enjoy this changeable season. Just as much as the other seasons that make up the rest of our year.
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