Hi Mandy,
It is said that in autumn and winter nearly a third (29%) of Brits experience feelings of Season Affective Disorder (SAD) – a condition that makes us feel gloomy as a result of the bad weather.
But with the bank-holiday weekend officially over, and autumn just around the corner, experts have explained that now can be a great time of year to give your mental well-being a bit of a refresh ahead of the colder months.
With this in mind, the team of mental health experts at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere have revealed seven tips on how you can boost your well-being this autumn.
Practice yoga
Yoga has many health benefits including mental relaxation and can be easily participated in from the comfort of your own home. If you are a beginner there are lots of entry-level tutorials available online to get you going.
Yoga is often used as part of addiction recovery, as it helps to regulate stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. The method of relaxation helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for alcohol and provides a healthy outlet to cope with potential triggers and everyday stress.
Go for a walk and get some fresh air
A walk outside is a great way to fill your lungs and free your mind, as doing so releases the brain chemical, endorphins, that stimulate relaxation and elevate your mood. Your walk doesn’t have to be strenuous either to enjoy the benefits of endorphins, you can simply put on your favourite podcast or audiobook and enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Have a bath
A soothing bath helps you to switch off and unwind, as submerging your body into water can not only reduce inflammation and muscle aches, but it also calms the nervous system and reduces stress levels. There are also a wide variety of calming bath oils and salts that you can add to your bath for additional relaxation.
Read a good book
Reading allows your mind to escape to a quiet place and switch off from the world for a few hours, but it also has many relaxation benefits on the body too, including slowing down your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles to help you relax.
Get physical
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine not only boasts a variety of health benefits, but it also promotes relaxation too, reducing levels of stress hormones in the body like adrenaline and cortisol. Whether you choose an exercise class, a bike ride or even a run, exercise will not only reduce your body’s stress hormones but it will also benefit from the production of endorphins.
Meditate
Meditation is another great way to relax and unwind in the evening, as it helps you to silence any noise in the brain and focus. There are lots of apps you can download to get you started on your meditation journey that will help you to relieve stress and improve your focus and self-awareness.
Practise deep breathing
Deep breathing also known as diaphragmatic breathing, is a quick and easy way to relax at the end of a day. Proven to reduce stress, calm nerves and make your body feel more relaxed. You can practise a deep breathing session for as little as 5 minutes or as long as 20 minutes.
Content courtesy of Delamere: https://delamere.com/blog/2023-wellness-report
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
