According to the urban dictionary, the ‘September blues’ is a feeling of sadness that occurs when summer is over and school is in session. Do you feel it? Are you already yearning for long summer days and BBQs with friends? Are you inwardly dreading the thought of nights drawing in, and feeling a little ‘autumnal’?
If you’re feeling a slight twinge of (or even full blown) September blues, here are 5 tips for you to beat the September blues:
1. Enjoy the here and now:
Focus on and enjoy all there is to enjoy right now; for example, the leaves changing colour from green to gold, succulent blackberries still ripe for picking, or the pumpkin spice lattes arriving in all local coffee shops!
Mindfulness, a technique which helps you focus on the here and now, is an excellent way to beat the September blues. Mindfulness is about being present to each new moment as it happens, and can help reduce depression and worry.
2. Reframe your thinking:
How we think determines the quality of our life, whether it’s sad and blue, or happy and contented. Optimistic and positive thoughts produce patterns in the brain which gives us a constant flow of serotonin – a chemical responsible for maintaining mood balance, and promoting happiness and a sense of well-being.
So rather than thinking of September as the ‘end’ of summer, you could choose to think of it as the ‘beginning’ of a new chapter; a time for reflection and an opportunity for positive change.
As author Norman Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world”.
3. Get moving:
One of the best ways to fight the September blues is to get moving. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals which boost your mood and make you feel happier.
Make sure you pick an activity that you like. Go for a walk, or swim, or dance like nobody’s watching! Not only will you get the stress-relieving mood boost that comes with exercise, you’ll also have fun doing it.
4. Make time for enjoyment:
I often ask my clients to write an ‘enjoyment inventory’; a list of everything that gives them pleasure and makes them happy. This can be as easy as listening to their favourite music, buying themselves a bunch of flowers, chatting with a friend, or having a massage (which in itself reduces stress levels and boosts mood).
Whatever it is, make sure you include something to look forward to in your week.
5. Get outside:
Finding time to make the most of the natural light is an important strategy in beating the September blues. Vitamin D, produced by exposing your skin to sunlight, helps encourage serotonin production. And just getting out in the fresh air will help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
The September blues needn’t signal a downward spiral into full blown blues. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, and you’d like more information, please get in touch.
Dr Marcelle Crinean, PhD, owner and director of Brain Reframe, is a highly qualified therapist, coach and lecturer.
In her busy practice, Marcelle successfully treats sleep and stress-related issues (including insomnia, anxiety and depression) as well as disordered eating, binge-eating and undereating. She regularly holds workshops and webinars, and trains business executives across the UK and Europe in the art of sleep and stress management.