Ways To Enhance Your Wellbeing This Autumn
Autumn is round the corner and, despite the colour-drenched beauty of the natural world at this time of year, the season’s colder weather and shorter days can have a negative effect on mood. Furthermore, for many of us, the pressure is on again at school, college and work. It can be hard to stay motivated, and to remember the importance of self-care. Here are five ways to look after your wellbeing this autumn, so that you feel positive and resilient, function well, and enjoy a good quality of life.
Get Moving
When life is busy, it can be hard to fit in physical activity. But any way of moving more is likely to be good for you, whether it’s a team sport, running, swimming, dancing, getting off the bus one stop early and walking the extra steps, or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Physical activity is not only good for your body; it’s also likely to boost your mood and improve your sleep.
Learn Something New This Autumn
Could you find a little spare time in your schedule to try learning something new… perhaps something you’ve always been meaning to learn, but never seem to get around to? That might mean studying a new language, taking lessons in a sport, joining a craft group, learning a life skill like managing your finances, or even reading a biography of a celebrity you admire. The learning process is really beneficial for your brain and body, as this BBC podcast reveals. BBC Radio 4 – Just One Thing – with Michael Mosley – Learn Something New To Boost Your Brain And Learning -something new might boost your self-confidence and help you to meet some new people, too.
Connect With Others
Life can get so busy… sometimes it can be easy to forget to make time for each other. Why not take a few minutes out of your day to simply enjoy having a conversation? Whether it’s a deep and meaningful discussion with a family member, a relaxed chat with a friend, or passing the time of day with a neighbour, conversation connects you with other people and is important for health and well-being. Just a few words can really make a difference.
Go Screen-free
Although screens can enhance our lives in a multitude of ways, they can also have negative effects on us, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Research shows that unplugging from technology – even for just a few hours – can make us more productive, help us communicate more effectively with others, increase our ability to learn, assist creativity, reduce levels of stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.
Savour The Moment
Each day, try to pause for a few minutes. Even if you’re feeling stressed or tired, try temporarily to cease any thoughts of the past or future, and simply exist in the present moment. Notice the details of what’s going on around you. This can have a beneficial effect which will stay with you when you pick up the threads of everyday life again.
It’s hoped that these suggestions will inspire you to prioritise your wellbeing this autumn. If you’d like to investigate further ways of improving your wellbeing, and/or need support with this, go to the NHS website.
