Looking after your mental health in autumn | tips and tricks

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Mental health should be a priority for every single person as we all deserve to have the same care for our minds as we do our bodies. When the weather starts to get cooler and the days get shorter, this is when my and a lot of people's mental health suffers the most. 

If you're struggling with your mental health and looking for some tips on how to look after it in autumn, here is my best advice.

Looking after your mental health in autumn | tips and tricks

Get in an hour of exercise

When the weather is colder and the days are shorter, it can be unmotivating and that means you might not want to go out to the gym or for a run, however, it's important that you do. I'm not saying you need to run a marathon or do an intense workout, but 10-15 minutes here and there can really help your mind as you're moving your body. But, the best thing to do is not to force yourself to exercise as then you won't enjoy it. Pick a routine that'll boost your mood and make you feel good, this can even be yoga or a dance workout.

Make the most of the sunshine

Autumn is always hit and miss when it comes to weather like all year round really in the UK. When it is sunny or not rainy, go and make the most of it. This can be stepping outside for 10 minutes just to feel the fresh air on your face, go for a beach walk (if you live nearby), or have a coffee outside. It doesn't have to be for a long time but the nicer weather can really boost your mood and help your mind. I always find by appreciating the good weather, when the bad weather comes, I can handle it better as I made the most of the sunshine.

Ensure you take regular breaks

I'm guilty of not following this rule, however, I've started to get better at taking breaks and resting a lot more, by listening to my body. Shorter days generally make a lot of us feel less motivated and sometimes that means we either overwork to compensate or put ourselves down for not doing enough. This isn't healthy behaviour and can have a negative impact on our mental health.  And, is why, you need to ensure you're taking regular breaks, getting a good amount of shut-eye, and know when enough is enough.

Don't be so hard on yourself

We are all our own worst critics, comparing ourselves to everyone around us and being the first person to say something bad about ourselves. It may be easier said than done, but stop being so hard on yourself. This is more of a generalised comment for the whole year, however, I feel like it can especially apply to autumn. With the lead-up to Christmas, autumn can be a stressful time for many and that's why it's the perfect time to practice self-care and self-love even more.

Be your own hype girl

This takes me to this point. We all know I'm the biggest advocate for self-love as we all deserve to be the love of our own life and feel worthy. Being your own hype girl is the number one way to fast forward your self-love journey. Do you know how you hype all your pals up? Use the same energy for you. Practice positive affirmations, compliment yourself, give yourself quality time and accept exactly who you are. By falling in love with yourself, it will help you have a better outlook on life in general - and this can aid your mental health in autumn.

Accept that you don't need to be productive all of the time

Resting is as productive as doing an 8-hour day. We were born into a system where people literally kill themselves working to make ends meet or to try to be as successful as possible, but it's not healthy behaviour. Being productive every hour of the day isn't what human beings were built for. We were built to take care of ourselves and do what makes us happy - so, learn to accept the fact that you don't need to be productive to feel fulfilled.

Treat your mind like you do your body

Your mental health is as important as your physical health is a sentence I write way too much as it's so important. If you hurt your leg, you'd rest it so take the same approach with your mind. If you're feeling really motivated and happy, use that energy for good but if you're feeling down, don't push yourself too hard, do what you're capable of.

Do the activities that make you happy

This may be something really obvious to say but it's so important. When you're not feeling your best, you need to do the things that will boost you up and make you feel better. This could be going to the gym, cooking a homemade meal, seeing your friends, or painting a picture, whatever makes your heart soar, ensure you're doing just that. Feeling happier will aid your mental health in the right direction.

Learn to love the cosy evenings

Cosy evenings scream autumn and really what a lot of us look forward to in the autumn time. However, being in the house all the time when the weather isn't great sometimes can't do wonders for our mental health, especially for people who need to get out and about to feel okay. If this is you, try and find the positives in a cosy evening. This could be the yummy candle, the takeaway you're choosing, or who you have around to keep you company.

Know autumn will pass

'This too shall pass' is one of my favourite phrases and can be applied to the season of autumn. If you thrive in the spring and summer months when things are brighter and fresher, autumn can be hard to stomach. However, something to focus on is that it will pass and spring will be back around before you know it.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

55 comments

  1. I have to get that an hour a day exercise into my routine. I always say I will, but never do. Great Post

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  2. Not sure if my comment came through 🤷🏻‍♀️
    Great post, getting an hour's exercise is key to clearing the mind of everything else, it definitely made a huge difference to me. Looking forward to Autumn, I find it much easier to slow down and relax xxx

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  3. Well done you for sharing this. Autumn is usually a great time for me to reflect on what's happened and what I'd like to be next. I am going to continue to get exercise outside even in the cold because the simple fresh air helps me so much!
    Rosie

    https://www.loverosiee.co.uk

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  4. Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour21 September 2021 at 04:25

    This is an amazing reminder to get self love in. Not taking it hard on yourself and being your own hype man are tips I could swear by. It's so important to take it easy on yourself and be your biggest cheerleader. Thank you for sharing

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  5. I've recently started accepting that I don't need to be productive all the time. As soon as Leo goes to bed, I get the laptop out and work until I go to bed. I've started taking Saturday night off to watch a movie with my partner!

    Corinne x

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  6. When it gets darker earlier and everything seems a bit dark it definitely gets me down, and I can understand that mental health is often at rock bottom during the autumn and winter months. These are some excellent tips- always remember to not be hard on yourself, I agree x

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  7. I am one who thrives in Spring and Summer. I love all your tips and I try to focus in on embracing the seasons - decorating, cooking different foods, and using candles. I also use light therapy if I find my energy levels are depleting (usually November - February). Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you lovely! I've never tried light therapy xx

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  8. I really appreciated your suggestions for the season. I really liked the idea of appreciating the cozy evenings and the reminder to get out of the house for our mental health. Thank you for sharing

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  9. Fab tips! I really need to get into the habit of exercising every day, haha. One of my favourite things about autumn is definitely the cosy evenings - it's perfect for curling up with a good book! Thanks for sharing x

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  10. I love the warmer months and do not mind fall, but it is when the rain is falling and it is chilly and miserable that I start to feel a little gloomy too, so I love your advice on trying to look more to the positives, doing something cosy, or cooking a homemade meal!
    Thanks for sharing. :)

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  11. Brilliant tips! It is important to be kind to yourself. Take time to unwind and recharge if our moods become more unpredictable and difficult to manage.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  12. Such an amazing post! I definitely need to take care of my mental health more. I've been worrying way too much recently. Thank you for these tips!

    Antonia || Sweet Passions

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  13. These are great tips Della! I wouldn't say just for Autumn but in general. Especially after covid and the lockdowns I think we all must take better care of our mental health. I recently started meditation since I was feeling really stressed and I think it helps :)
    thank you for this post!

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  14. This is such a great reminder to look after your mental health especially in the fall season. I love autumn because I can have a cosy night in. Thank you for sharing these tips.

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  15. Brilliant tips, Autumn can be a hard time for some, especially those who have SAD, these tips will definitely help so many people! x

    Lucy | www.lucymary.co.uk

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  16. Great tips, lovely. I don't USUALLY suffer with SAD but I have definitely felt a bit "meh" during Winter and colder months before, despite actually really loving Winter/Christmas and the cold. So it's obviously a very chemical thing that some of us just can't avoid, so any little tips to help keep your spirits up from Autumn onwards are great! x

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  17. These are great tips! Getting that hour of exercise in (and even a sliver of vitamin d!) is so beneficial :) xx

    mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/

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  18. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the closing in nights and managing to fit in my runs. Maybe I'll have to go in my lunch time and work a bit in the evening to make up for it.

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  19. These are all great tips for managing stress and promoting positive mental health. Fall is a good time to start looking inward, with a focus on meditation and renewal. It's important to refill your energy reserves after a busy, hectic, or social season. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  20. What a great post, with so many helpful tips! I always feel better after getting an hour of exercise in, it's such a mood booster. Especially when the weathers getting cold and it's dark outside xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

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  21. I like the detail and thoughtful posts you do. My current biggest issue is not taking breaks I hope I manage that. And yes cooking etc are good ways to channeling yourself. Great post. Xx
    Isa A. Blogger
    https://www.lifestyleprism.com/

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  22. Love all these tips, Della! Exercise and daily movement is so important. I'm the total opposite and I tend to be happier during the months of August - March and more plateaued in Spring and Summer haha Thanks for sharing x

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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  23. I think this season is the ideal time to slow down a bit and spend time feeling cozy and comfortable -- which somehow lends itself to self-care practices. We have to show ourselves kindness and take care of our mental, emotional and physical selves. Thanks for sharing this!

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  24. Love love LOVE this post. It’s so important as the darker days and nights come in that we take care of our mental health. I do tend to struggle in autumn/winter so I’ll be taking these tips into consideration. Thank you so much for sharing lovely! Xo

    Elle - ellegracedeveson.com

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  25. I honestly love autumn, but the shorter days and dark can take a toll on everyone! really loved all these suggestions and taking care of yourself most of all. I really need to try and get back into exercising x

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  26. These are some great tips! I have found it harder to stay motivated during the fall. It's colder, it gets dark earlier and there always seems like there's something else to deal with (saving for Christmas, coming up with Halloween costumes, planning holiday trips to see family etc) and sure some of those are fun but they also tend to takes up a lot of time and take away from my me time. I definitely have to make an attempt to take care of myself more in the fall and some of these tips will be really helpful! Thanks!

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  27. Great tips! I love the feeling of the fall morning with a coffee. Just amazing to relax and chill. Thank you for sharing these awesome tips!

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  28. Cosy evenings are my favourite so I definitely want to make the most of them! Love the tips x

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  29. These are great tips Della, thank you for sharing! It's so important to look after our mental health and especially in those darker and colder months. It's so nice having a cosy autumn night in relaxing.

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  30. Great tips, thanks for sharing! It's so important to look after your mental health, especially in the colder seasons as I see it. Great post x

    xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com

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  31. This is really helpful. I've just come back from taking a break for the sake of my mental health. I love the bit you mentioned about treating your mind like you do your body. Its just as important.

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  32. These are wonderful tips. It’s so important to take advantage of the sunshine while we still can! I also agree allowing ourselves to take a break and not have to be productive all the time. Thanks for sharing!

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  33. Great tips! Thanks for sharing :) Its currently looking like it's going to be a wet Autumn here in Wales... I'm hoping it dries up soon!

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