To ask for tips in not feeling down as we approach autumn?

Appreciating how great Autumn is helps me. I used to see summer as the best season, loved the sunshine and longer days and then got low mood when it was coming to an end. As I've got older I've started to look forward to Autumn, beautiful days where it's not too hot or cold, crunchy leaves, watching the beautiful Autumn colours emerge and conker's falling from the trees. Everywhere in nature is quieter, really peaceful walks and no sense of rushing or beating the crowds. I know it's not for everyone but I also love bonfire night, I like Halloween. I like being able to wear my fluffy dressing gown and slippers and having a hot chocolate comfortablly. I like wooly jumpers and scarves. I like being able to see sunrises and sunsets at a reasonable time. We then head into winter, excitement for Christmas, beautiful Christmas decorations, really cold, crisp but sunny days and the odd bit of snow.
Getting out for walks in all weathers is a huge mood booster.

I usually suffer from SAD and I find taking St Johns Wort so helpful. I start in September and find this nips it in the bud. Its not that I don't like the autumn/winter - I do, but for some reason, it doesn't like me.

This is great advice 👆

At the most basic level, spending time outside helps to improve your mood, especially if you can squeeze some time in in the morning.

If you take it up a notch and actively start looking at nature, you’ll start to notice all sorts of things that will make the winter feel a little shorter - the first snowdrops in January, new buds on trees in December etc - all signs that warmer weather is not that far away.

Autumn itself can be spectacular for woodland walks, if you have any woodlands or parks nearby.

Also, if you have a garden, or even just a few pots, plant some bulbs in the autumn. It always cheers me up to see the first crocuses or daffodils 😊

I feel the same @Rougeblush

The melancholy has already started with the darker nights and the sun lower in the sky (even though it’s still hot and most definitely summer here!). It’s a feeling I get every August whether I want it or not.

My advice is to embrace it. Know it’s normal to feel sad at this time of year but also know that life is about letting go at the right times and is a series of ups and downs. If we had summer all year round, we’d have no ‘ups’.
Trees let go of their leaves in autumn and we have to let go of summer. ‘Wintering’ is part of life.

Practical tips to help:
Get outdoors every single day whatever the weather.
Embrace the cosy of winter. Slow cooker meals, crumbles, hot drinks, cosy blankets, candles, fires, cosy clothing etc.
Get a light box and use in a morning (never at night)
Try for winter sun
Celerate the winter solstice (Dec 21st) as the days start to get longer again.
Read ‘Wintering’ by Katherine May 🧡

Get outside. Every single day.

Last year I changed jobs which made it harder to get out for a daily walk and I was surprised how much that affected my mood.

In autumn I like getting back into a healthier eating and exercise routine after the excesses of the summer, and that helps my mood a lot too.

Crisp days? It rains a lot.
Twinkly lights, winter wardrobes, Halloween and Christmas can get to fuck.
You can drink hot chocolate any time of the year.

I agree with the posters who say getting outside during the morning / lunchtime helps.

I’ve been thinking about trying to live more seasonally. That probably sounds wanky.

But we need to have things we enjoy about each type of weather so whole chunks of the year don’t bring us down.

Some people just can't help themselves can they?

I’m mostly ok with autumn although the winter mornings are tough going.

However, I do share a pp’s dislike of spiders and have a very arachnophobic DS - so I’ve got the peppermint spray in and will be repeatedly spraying doorways, airbricks and skirtings etc next month to at least deal with that.

I’m watching with interest. I also feel dread and hate the winter. I find September/October beautiful, but it’s always marred by a sense of foreboding that winter is on its way! I hate Halloween/firework night/not even a big fan of Christmas really, which is a shame as I have kids who love it.

Clothes! I've already started buying my winter wardrobe - sweaters, wool trousers, boots, hats and coats, mainly from Vinted. I can't wait for cooler days to wear it all.

The short days and dark evenings give me mixed feelings. I love the cosiness of the fire being lit, hot chocolate to drink, crisp days, twinkly lights and Halloween and Christmas to look forward to. But I also feel an increase in my anxiety and depression at this time of year and it gets even worse in January.

Well, this is helpful! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣

Get sunshine. If you can, go for a walk around midday everyday when the sun should be at its strongest. And have a longish walk outdoors or work out outdoors at weekends. I used to do outdoor bootcamps. Even if the weather was foul you'd come back feeling in a brighter mood in winter.

Get daylight lamps as well - there are some you can set to brighten like natural sunlight.

Can you plan a visit to see your son at uni, mid term? Maybe try and set up a regular time for a weekly Zoom call. And send him a treat every other week. I used to send DS a cake from Sponge twice a term, to share with his friends.

I've noticed that the nights are drawing in now(as usual of course) and my anxiety levels are ramping up. It's definitely about daylight and freedom to me rather than heat. In winter you are effectively trapped in the house from 4 as it's dark, and usually wet too. I find it almost claustrophobic and restrictive. Light nights when it's dry and we can be out and about until after 9 are the best. My children are all ND and really benefit from being able to get out too, it's so much more difficult to manage everyone with less fresh air and exercise, especially after a day of masking at school. Add in all the relentless hyping up of Christmas and the seemingly endless Christmas holiday and it's more meh. And the clothes too, I hate being bundled up in loads of layers and wearing socks. I'd love it to be June all year! As for what to do about it? I don't really know. I suppose whatever you know makes you feel good and gives you something to look forward to. We're planning a day trip to somewhere new for October.

Some great advice on this thread. You are right, OP, that autumn is a melancholy time. You can't change that, but I agree with others that you need to get out in sunlight and nature as often as you can. First thing in the morning is best. Also a good idea to treat yourself to great books and boxsets and go out once a week with a friend. I much prefer summer, but there is something special about walking through dark rainy evening streets to meet someone you love.

i like to notice how the flowers and trees change season to season and take some joy in it knowing spring is coming. Have been visiting the same English heritage garden each month for this reason. Plus check bird migration. Some are arriving some leaving.
the beach is fascinating any time of year. Just wrap up warm.
enjoy the cosy indoors.
(Not helpful bit I’m not a summer person).

I like autumn, but dread the onset of the bleak depressed feeling I get from around Nov to March. I've got a daylight lamp but I probably need an antidepressant really, but I'm on a few meds already so want to avoid if possible.

I'm just the same.The last couple of weeks it's been darker at 5 am when I get up and it's horrible.
I've sorted out winter outfits and cosy boots.
Take extra strength vitamin D
Fruity or chai tea.
September October is doable Nov to Feb I really struggle.
The best bit is to know you are not alone.

I feel you OP... I catch myself thinking about the darker seasons encroaching upon us once more quite a bit now.

Things I've been doing to help myself (I get really brutal SAD):

1. Remind myself of what a bright, warm summer we've had. With that I'm hopeful I've got my vitamin D intake up for the year.

2. Make the most of the next few weeks of light evenings. Sod it if the children miss their bedtime, do it anyway!

3. Get something booked in over the winter to focus on (I tend to go for November time as it's so dark, I find Christmas a distraction and by January the days get longer again). We are getting married in late September so I'm distracted enough this year.

4. Do you have any house projects you could plan for? We have all sorts of decorating we want to get done, but tend to decorate in the winter months (because who wants to slave away painting walls in July?!)

5. Try and accept it. Get prepared. Be mindful. Be present. Try and absorb the positives of Autumn etc.

I don’t mind January onwards as well. Christmas is over for another year (or should I say nine months…). The days are getting longer. The light suddenly changes; I always notice cobwebs in the house in January because it’s been dark for so long and suddenly it’s brighter. Cold, crisp, bright days are so much nicer than the relentless grey and rain of the previous months. And there’s a new year to look forward to and plan for.

Do some stuff now that gives you a treat with summer produce in the winter-
Blackberry jelly
Strawberry jam
Damson gin
Apple/ green tomato chutney
Pickles
Chilli jam
Cooked apple for pies/ crumbles

freeze some fruit for breakfasts

You are my people.

I try to have things planned to look forward to - a theatre trip, gig ( if only at local pub), meal with friends etc.

Do you suffer from SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder?

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/

There was thread last December about how people give a little cheer in December when the shortest day passes. I was one if them.

For me the worst months are November to March. Then the threat of snow and icy conditions are over, and I can start to relax. That’s my mine bugbear of winter, icy roads.

For me it’s about delaying winter for as long as possible so it doesn’t feel too long. So:

• Not wearing autumn clothes too soon - I find it weird that people start wearing boots in September. I stay in summer clothes for as long as possible
• Sitting outside for as long as possible/ avoiding ‘putting the garden to bed’
• Eat summery foods
• Don’t ‘cosy’ up the house too early
• Do NOT talk about Christmas until end of November/beginning of December

Most years I can eke summer out until the end of October like this.

I feel the same. I often start crying once its clear the hot days are over. It's a hard time of year. Plus both parents died in the autumn. I feel you op.