5 WAYS TO BEAT THE POST-SUMMER BLUES

We are definitely in the swing of autumn now and a lot of people will be excited about this change, but if you're like me, you might be sad that summer is over.

There are lots of things to enjoy about autumn, nice-smelling candles, Halloween, and the lead-up to Christmas may all get you excited. However, there are natural reasons as to why you may be happier in summer.

The sun is great for so many things but it is also good for your mental health. Getting sunlight can increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a mood stabilising hormone that is often known as the happiness hormone.

Naturally, as we see less sun and sunlight hours in autumn and winter, we are less exposed to the sun. This is one explanation for why you may not be as happy in the colder seasons, and this is completely normal.

Some people have what's known as SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. Find out more about symptoms for SAD on the NHS website. 

I am not a mental health professional, but I am going to share some ways to help with beating the post-summer blues that help me. If you think you may have symptoms of depression, please visit your GP.

5 ways to beat the post-summer blues

1. Get out and about

When the weather is rubbish and it's dark, it can make you want to stay inside which is fine. However, knowing what we know about sunlight and serotonin levels, it's important to try and get out in the sun when you can.

Although it is not as warm as before, there is still chance to get out, whether that is for a lunch time walk or a trip to the shops.

Sometimes I find it hard to go out when I really don't want to go, but I usually feel better for doing it.

Related: 22 things I've learned in 22 years

2. Natural sunlight lamp

One way to treat SAD according to the NHS is to use natural sunlight lamps. These are designed to make your room look like natural sunlight is coming through even when the weather is bad outside or if it's dark. You can purchase these lamps from a range of places including Amazon.

3. Embrace the new season

One of the main reasons I prefer summer is because I seem to like so much more about it than the other seasons. That doesn't mean I hate autumn and winter though. I try to pick out the things I like about the new seasons and focusing on that rather than focusing on why I'm sad that summer is over.

4. Plan things to look forward to

My favourite thing to do is plan things to look forward to, this always helps my mental health. This can even be small things like planning a film to watch after work. This forward-thinking helps to get you away from missing the past activities.

5. Summer can be a state of mind

It may not be summer right now and the weather may not be good enough to do a lot of activities that are usually associated with summer, but that doesn't mean you can't remind yourself of summer.

This could be as simple as using summer-scented candles. One thing that makes me really think of summer is the smell of aftersun. It's a bit weird but sometimes I put it on even in winter just so it can make me feel like I have just been to the beach.

Related: 5 activities to do instead of using social media

Which season makes you the happiest?