The Blues in October?

 And Wow on Wednesday

Dear friends.  A lot of us get SAD  (seasonal affective disorder), or the plain old blues, at this time of year. I've got a few tips on how to find some joy in Autumn/Fall and Winter. Plus I'm wearing blue in three different outfits.  Clever juxtaposition, huh?

I used to feel a bit fed up myself about autumn, but it was taking up walking that changed my outlook.

Walking is my way of maintaining my weight.  Walking quickly for about an hour and a half gives me around 500 calories to play with, on top of my miserable basal metabolic rate of 1,300 calories. 

On my walks, which are both urban and around a nearby forest, I enjoy watching the changing seasons. The light changes and in autumn and winter it's far more beautiful than the bright glare of summer.  You may think the countryside is bereft of leaves and colour, but there are other beautiful sights.  A frost. Snow. Racing water. Berries.

I also like the cooler months for the fact it's so much easier to sleep. Layering and different fabrics and textures are so much more fun than summer clothes. Plus it's lovely getting warm again when we've been outside. 

But SAD is a thing, and the NHS lists SAD symptoms as depression, feeling lethargic and having an increased appetite.

Treatment options include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), antidepressants and light therapy.

The mental health charity MIND recommends:

• Making the most of natural light. It might help to spend time in natural light, for example going for walks, spending time in parks or gardens, or simply sitting near a window. This seems to be helpful if you experience SAD in winter.
• Plan ahead for winter. For example, try to make meals in advance and freeze them if you know you are likely to lack the energy to do this during the most difficult period.
• Talk to someone. It can be hard to reach out when you're not feeling well, but it might help to share how you're feeling. If you don't feel you can talk to the people around you or you need additional support, you could contact a helpline
• Plan for difficult times.  If your symptoms follow a familiar pattern, you could take action such as rescheduling stressful occasions, or making a self care box.

A lot of people dread occasions like Christmas.  It can be stressful to host family members you don't see very often.  Equally, it's stressful for those on their own, when we're constantly bombarded with Christmas films and adverts showing everyone having a good time.  

Is it possible to do something else?  Go away for a few days?  The price of winter sun comes down dramatically for those who go away on Christmas or Boxing Day. If you don't like the idea of going away as a solo traveller, several companies and hotels offer Christmas celebrations for those on their own where you're made very welcome.

If family pressures and everyone reverting into childhood behaviours are triggering,  have a calm debate with family members to ask for their help in making it a more enjoyable experience for you.

Exercise and Diet 

Exercise, vitamin D and diet can also be used to improve your mood. Research shows that SAD symptoms can be alleviated by changes in the diet.  Specifically this means cutting out nicotine, caffeine and alcohol consumption, while maintaining a balanced diet such as the Mediterranean diet. Processed food should be avoided due to the lack of vital nutrients including folate in such foods.

Folate is found in a variety of vegetables including broccoli and Brussel sprouts, as well as legumes. Low levels of folate have been found to be associated with an increase in the onset of depressive symptoms.

I'm often drawn to certain colours and wear them on repeat for a few weeks. At the moment it's blue.  Today I'm showing three different outfits.  The cute retro skirt from Boden is another pre-loved eBay acquisition.  I thought I'd try it with those 60s stalwarts, white opaque tights. Probably quite a divisive move!  

I'm wearing them with my Jones Bootmaker white shoes (current),  Kettlewell's mock tee in shocking pink and Chloe jacket in blue jewel.

The casual outfit with boot cut jeans (M&S) plus Kettlewell Erin jacket in bluebird, tank in sherbet pink and ribbed shirt in aquarius, was what I wore to a pub lunch at the weekend for my husband's birthday. Originally I wore a bright navy tank but swapped it out as I feared all the blue was a bit too matchy matchy.  Although I like matchy matchy.

The Virginian creeper is a great photographic asset at this time of year, it covers up a decrepit fence round the back! 

My final outfit featuring blue was worn last week on our break in the Lake District, in the north of England. Our room had spectacular views as you can see.  I'm wearing the sherbet pink tank again with a Kettlewell Monaco sweater and a Boden navy corduroy skirt (old), plus, unseen, navy opaque tights (gifted, Aristoc) and mid blue suede ankle boots. 

Do you suffer from SAD in the winter? How do you deal with it? Do share in the comments. Scroll down below the link-up to find the comments box. 

These are the fabulous sites I link with. 

Subscribe for 1 email a week from Is This Mutton for an update on posts you may have missed. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, X

WOW ON WEDNESDAY

It's Wednesday and we're all looking to be wowed at this halfway point of the month!  Bloggers from all over the world are adding their posts to this week's link-up.  I'd urge you to check them out and leave a comment or two.  Blogging is a lonely pastime but comments make us smile. 

Last Week's Favourites  (Most Clicked)

Cute Halloween Looks for Women Who Don't Dress Up for Halloween by Kathrine from Kathrine Eldridge.  I love the crochet hat! 

My Stitch Fix Rejects by Amy of Amy's Creative Pursuits

Is This Mutton Choice:  I was blown away by this new addition to the link-up, Fine Art and You, and the post Eugene Henri Cauchois Impressionist Painter - Still Life Art. Such  beautiful paintings. I've chosen this one because I adore roses.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter