My floaty yoga master always knows how to put a positive spin on the dark days in the autumn. But when I hear him preach from my yoga mat about ‘The light in you never goes out and yoga reminds you of that, even on the grayest days’I only think one thing: what nonsense.
Countdown
During this period I mainly focus on counting down, that is my light in the darkness. I am not alone in this. Last week, research once again showed that the lack of sunlight has a significant impact on our mood, energy level and motivation. I immediately become depressed when I also read that we now spend 90 percent of our waking hours indoors and look at a screen for seven hours a day.
Autumn depression affects many Dutch people: this is how you recognize the symptoms and what you can do about it
This research, commissioned by SunLed, shows that a quarter of respondents and even 52 percent of respondents aged 25-34 feel more depressed than during the summer. Thirty percent are more irritable during the winter months and 31 percent experience stress.
Sunny days
I don’t need these kinds of studies, with always similar conclusions, to know that I have to take action. During this period I like to be inspired by nice sun offers and after work I make sure that my pedometer makes me happy (and then remember the daylight).
Furthermore, I cocoon myself. I can get through it with burning candles, a crackling fireplace, stews, chowder and red wine. But what really helps against the autumn blues are those few unexpected sunny days, like this week. And longing for a sunny winter.
How do you deal with the autumn blues? Are you bothered by it or are you fully enjoying autumn? Email your response to: [email protected]