Only Falls rush in...

I am starting to understand why Autumn is called Fall in some countries, or at least I have an alternative understanding to the term.

In summer I have risen, I feel my best and I let myself be who I want to be. I bare my skin and I allow the sun to soak me in Vitamin D. Summer is the season of recharging those worn down batteries, the ones that have dipped so low in the dark and cold months.

I adore the winter, Christmas is my favourite time of year and my birthday occurs a couple of weeks out from those celebrations. I love getting hyggelig in my snuggle blankets, with fairy lights decorating my house and my heart, but when all that’s over I am left with the cold and the grey and I am in a slump until the day I can slip my toes into sandals and when I don’t need to worry about how thick my socks need to be inside my shoes and if my chunky cardigan will stop me from squeezing my arms into my coat.

Fall is full of beauty. It is nature’s show for the photographers out there, longing for the colours that can take someone’s breath away in a second. The smell of the insides of a pumpkin and the feeling of a warm bowl of soup nestled on your lap in front of the TV where you have parked yourself for the evening, allowing yourself to take the first step of watching the season’s first Christmas film (but not admitting it to anyone else because it’s far too early!) . There is nothing quite like every feeling that walks hand in hand with the autumn, but there is a sense of being on a slippery slope, like the pavements made of grass and sand are being whipped out from under your feet, and are sending you spiraling into the cold, slightly dewy and cobwebby feeling that comes with Autumn.

It needs to be understood that we are human animals and our bodies slow down in winter, we don’t hibernate like some others, our anatomy keeps us slowed down to rest and consume our energy. There should be no guilt in doing that. There is no shame if you don’t want to go out, no problem with staying home warm and cosy. If you feel your mood is low and you have no energy to pull yourself away from the TV then you don’t have to, just don’t shut yourself off from everyone entirely. Keep yourself open to communication, send a friend a text to let them know how you are and what you are up to and ask them the same. They could be needing a friend, and even on the other end of a phone, reaching out to someone and asking how they are is always appreciated, no matter what state of mind someone may be in.

Don’t force yourself to do things you don’t want to do, sometimes it’s good to step outside your comfort zone and it’s good to keep your foot in the door and socialise with your friends even in the coldest of months because the warmth of friendship can always bring a smile to your face. It is also incredibly important to care for yourself. Burning the candle at both ends results in a candle being burnt out much quicker. You will make yourself both mentally and physically unwell, and you don’t want to be suffering with a sore throat and cold at Christmas time…you want to be able to taste them Quality Streets, and more importantly YOUR CHRISTMAS DINNER. You are number one and self-care and self-love are equally as important throughout the year, it may just take a little more effort during seasons when you just want to curl up and sleep.

If you are experiencing a low mood, and it shows no sign of letting up, it’s important to ensure you speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional. They may be able to suggest additional help for you, or this could even be down to a lack of vitamin D!! Remember, S.A.D is a real disorder and affects around 2 million people in the UK and 12 million across northern Europe. The lack of sunshine can have a huge impact on our lives and our mental health so it is important to get that help and get outside into the sunshine when you see it, those beams of light work wonders on us.

Try and also keep an eye on those family members, friends or neighbours who you don’t hear from that often…I volunteer for a charity where I have the role as a Befriender. I visit an elderly lady for an hour a week and I have been doing this for a year and a half. On the other end of the spectrum, she doesn’t like the winter because it makes her feel shut off from the rest of the world. She can’t see anyone walking past her house as soon as it starts getting dark and she has a lot less communication from anybody in this time. Loneliness can have a huge hold on people at this time of year and with celebrations around Christmas fast approaching it is easy to feel detached from society. Halloween can be a great deal of fun for the youngsters, but not everyone enjoys this holiday! Banging on the door of an elderly person dressed up as scary characters can be intimidating and frightening. Make sure you and your children follow the unwritten rule of only knocking on the doors of those houses that display pumpkins or Halloween decorations!!

Don’t be a fool in fall! Grab your coats, gloves, hats and snuggle blankets. Wrap up warm and enjoy the season in the cosiest and healthiest way you can. Do what you can to enjoy these sparkling wintery months and try and consider how everyone else is also coping, because we will all take a different approach to life at this time of year.

Let’s face it, the warmth really comes from within your soul, So keep that fire burning!

** Kim **