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

I can cope with Autumn/Winter because I realised eventually that I can't stop the changing of the seasons, so I have to work around it much more.

I'm retired, and I make sure to get out of the house every single day (except when it's icy or lashing rain) to walk somewhere. I prefer my own company TBH since I can then go wherever I want to! Then when I get home I'm pleasantly tired and ready to turn on the lights and pull the curtains, to settle in for the night. I live alone also, and love it so don't think I'm ever lonely, I'm not!

Some daylight in Winter is so important for well being. As others have said I was like a mushroom when working during Winter, in the dark all the time apart from the artificial lights at work. That was grim, but it never bothered me much as I just took it as part of life at the time.

Nowadays, I'm lucky I suppose. I go away before the schools break up at Christmas and come back when they are back! Just a cheapie to Southern Spain, but OMG the daylight, the sunlight, and the longer days until 6pm (especially on Christmas Day) are just so uplifting. I see my family both before and after that, we are all happy for each of us to do our own thing. Christmas can be such a pain for many, so escape is a great option, although I know not everyone can do that.

Other than that, I find things that are good for me. Everyone's different so what works for one doesn't work for others. I live about 25 minutes from the coast, so make sure to get by the sea at least once a week. Bracing and uplifting even if it's cold and breezy. Things like that, a new cushion cover, adding something great to Netflix lists, reserving a great book on Borrow Box. The little things.

Hope you'll all be OK. It won't be long before the snowdrops and daffs appear once again.

Think about supplementing vitamin D? It can help in cases of SAD.

Still loving this summer so not to wish the time away

What I can’t do is cycle, it’s too hot and have skin that burns so whimsy I can protect it in the shade sweating needs to be avoided, so during daytimes in the autumn take a camera do something creative

I declutter bits inside

do garden jobs that need resistance digging

music helps
good good helps - crumbles are great cold as breakfasts

using the darker evenings to binge good box sets or escaping into books

baths - too hot right now

red wine - not a summer drink

cook food from warmer climates curries work

find local theatre shows, cheaper and easier to navigate

take a newspaper to your local

give thanks at harvest - donate to church etc

I agree.

September is always fine too though imo. I enjoy the return to routine in September and the disappearance of tourists (we're coastal). The evenings are still light enough and the weather can be beautiful still.

October to December are the only miserable months of the year imo. Cold, dark, rainy. People moaning about their heating bills, it's too dark after work for a decent walk, fucking Halloween which i've always disliked. Christmas is a brief bright spot but I find the run up to that wearing.

As soon as New Years Day hits, I feel energised and hopeful because Spring is just around the corner, it's getting lighter etc. New start, the best is to come.

Yes, the football does make it better for me but that's not helpful if you're not a fan. I do see the light at the end of the tunnel in January. Christmas is finished with and the shortest day has gone. It's October, November and December that I find hardest with all the build up to Christmas and the forced jollity.

I feel exactly the same - just dread cold, dark and damp days

I actually don’t mind September to December. It’s January to March that is the bleakest time for me.

@CarlaLemarchant funnily enough I'm the opposite. I get great comfort from early January onwards by looking at www.timeanddate.com to see how many extra minutes of daylight we get each day.

It may seem counterintuitive but I like to spend as much time as possible in nature. If you feel more connected to the natural aspects of the season then I think it’s easier to appreciate them.

I lived near the equator for a few years and I hated the lack of variation in the environment, it felt so odd. Humans have always been used to having rhythms and so you just have to find ones you enjoy to mark that season and differentiate it to the summer months

another option is to think of things you hate about summer! I for one will be glad to see the back of these bastard wasps we’ve had this year.

I wonder if it’s worth reframing it and trying to focus on the things you do like about each particular season. So like you say, the routine returning in September - what can you do once that’s back that you couldn’t do in the summer? What could you add in that would work really well? (For example, I love running but when it’s too hot it’s harder, and I much prefer a cool morning for that!) I am weirdly not a huge fan of summer but I try and reframe that by focusing on the things specific to the season - taking kids to the park early evening, Wimbledon on TV etc.

And then I know Jan-Apr are quite grim months for most but I try and frame them as being a sort of hibernation period ahead of Spring. Trying to take it slow, do indoor activities, go to the cinema a lot, get the house spruced a bit.

Not sure if that’s helpful but I guess I try and tell myself the fact we have distinct seasons means we always have a bit of variety & can lean into that (compared to friends in say LA where it’s just sun sun sun which sounds boring after a while… maybe!!).

I used to feel like this. The downward slide started right after the August bank holiday. And then the Last Night of the Proms was also a reminder that summer was over. Lot of it was to do with work though, now I’m retired it”s much better and I love Christmas,hated it when I was working.

Book an October holiday

I love and follow football so I’m happy the new season started. Went to my teams first home game yesterday. It’s a hobby I share with my son which is nice. Also his own playing season has started so getting back into the routine of that and catching up with folk we’ve not seen for a few months. Do you follow any sports op?

I like to treat myself to some new things, some warmer stuff, new PJs, nice knitwear and hoodies etc.

Keep getting out as much as possible until the weather gets truly awful or it’s dark really early.

I actually don’t mind September to December. It’s January to March that is the bleakest time for me.

I feel this gets worse for me every year. It's the dark more than the cold, a sunny day in January is very uplifting.

I think it's important to get outdoors every day. This is easier for me now I'm retired. When I was at work I felt nocturnal going in the dark and coming home in the dark.

A day at the coast once a month.

A holiday in January in the sun is more important to me than a summer holiday, even though it may not be hot. We usually go to the canaries.

I was brought up never to do indoor things in the summer, so I do look forward to seeing movies etc with (less) guilt.

I like this idea, although the hot weather recently has driven me indoors.

I think the OP is looking for practical tips, not to be told that not everyone minds Autumn/Winter.

Yes, lovely for you. It's not what the OP asked.

In which case there are threads to express that. The OP was asking for advice from people who didn't like autumn and winter on how to reduce the impact.

But many of us feel that way.

I feel the opposite. Can't wait for autumn and winter so I can get the curtains shut earlier and earlier....cosy.

Totally get this. I’ve had it since childhood but it got really bad during uni when I would dread going back in Sept/oct after a summer of freedom, happy summer jobs, lots of socialising. I get it now with the turn of the school year. The worst years are when the kids are moving up from preschool to primary or primary to secondary! I think I’ve probably always struggled with transitions generally and think the gradual shortening of the days really affects me - getting less light. Weirdly once the clocks change I’m ok again. So it doesn’t last all winter. I get a huge sense of loss and feel quite bereft in September though.

Things I have put in place this year:

some lovely weekend plans with friends in October to count down to

signed up to two weekly exercise classes

Trying to plan next years holidays early although no one else in the family is any help with that as they all keep changing their plans/jobs so no idea when we can actually book!

I'm sure that's really helpful to the OP. 🙄

I was brought up never to do indoor things in the summer, so I do look forward to seeing movies etc with (less) guilt.

But I know what you mean. I used not to mind the winter but as I get older I’m struggling more. I agree with saving a few days or even hours of leave to get a bit of light at some point.

I feel your pain, I am exactly the same and also my eldest going to uni and I will miss her so much I am dreading it (though so happy for her at the same time) I am planning to go and visit her half way through the term as something to look forward to, and also doing some redecorating. I’d love winter sun too but uni isn’t cheap so no sunny holidays on the horizon, sadly.
I absolutely hate winter - grey, miserable, cold, depressing. As soon as both ours are through uni and we have money again I will go on holiday all winter but til then just keep planning summer things and ride the storm, so so speak.
good luck and solidarity!

I feel the same and am gratified to see the poll currently backing us up!

I basically use the winter to prepare so I can enjoy spring, summer and (to a much lesser extent) autumn. Do all the boring chores and house stuff. Go to the gym. Eat well. Focus on beauty and using retinol while there's no light.

It does help me a little to watch TV programmes or films set somewhere sunny, and to take the occasional spa day with sauna and jacuzzi so that I get some warmth. Photos from summer days also bring comfort.

Given the age of your DC, would a January holiday to the sun be feasible? That was my go to before becoming a parent.