It is not uncommon for many to experience the autumn season as a very demanding period both on a physical and above all psychological level. In fact, it is a period in which you feel very often fatigued, exhausted and from the dancer mood.
Experts have called this phenomenon as an autumn anxiety, i.e. an annual increase in anxiety and bad mood that some people begin to experiment during the autumn months. The causes are to be found mainly in the beginning of a new school year, in the impending stress of the Christmas holidays or in the possible regret of not having achieved the desired objectives during the summer.
Furthermore, unlike other types of anxiety, in this case there is often no evident external trigger and tends to recur punctually every year. Many do not know how common this phenomenon and often tend not to recognize it, but among its symptoms we find:
However, one of the main causes is the reduction of sunlight, which leads to the fall of serotonin levels, an important hormone capable of influencing mood, appetite and sleep quality. At the same time there is also an increase in melatonin, a hormone that tends to make you feel more sleepy and depressed.
Furthermore, another effect of the exposure with less sunlight is that of the lack of vitamin D, whose lack has also been connected to depression (also read: vitamin D, the beneficial effects just discovered to alleviate the symptoms of depression). Finally, other factors include behavioral changes, because with the worsening of time, we spend less time outdoors and do less exercise.
Regardless of what could cause anxious feelings during the autumn season, let’s see together the 6 things that can help to provide relief:
Increases exposure to sunlight
One of the first things to do is certainly to increase exposure to sunlight, perhaps starting to spend more time outdoors to make the most of the sunlight.
Trained every day
Once the hot summer climate has calmed down, autumn is a great time to enjoy life in the open air, then use it to the maximum by taking long walks or bicycle trips. Alternatively, a new sport begins or sign up in the gym. Exercise, in fact, is fundamental throughout the line for mental health disorders.
Change your diet
Autumn is a perfect moment to think about what you eat, prepare your favorite seasonal soups and hot meals that have not been able to eat during the summer. (READ ALSO: Autumn tiredness? 6 foods to take to the table more often these days to find energy)
Something new begins
Since autumn is a period of new beginnings, a new term and a new season, it is a good time to reorganize, tidy up the house, the garden and your life in general. You could also consider a new look, a hobby or an activity to be experienced.
Change your perspective
Rather than associating autumn with negative experiences, it is good to try to look at it differently. For example, rather than thinking about the cold and the fact of having to remain closed at home, try to think of making the “inside” welcoming, perhaps changing the environment of your home with a comfortable and warm blanket.
Look for professional help
Finally, if you start to feel anxious and depressed, act promptly to improve your mood and consider you to contact the help of a professional. In this sense, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to effectively treat anxiety and seasonal emotional disorder.
