[Lifestyle] Right as rain! 10 ways to boost your mood on grey, wet or cold days

[THē-GHōST]

 

After a disappointing British summer, many of us won’t be looking forward to autumn and winter. But there are many ways to keep your spirits high in the bleaker seasons f you have ever spent summer in the UK, you will know that there is often little to distinguish the season from any other wet, miserable time of year. Nonetheless, many of us cling to the idea that we are in for endless days of sunshine and cheerfulness – so, when the season draws to a close, having been a washout, it can feel disappointing.“We have expectations of how things are supposed to be or how we’d imagined them – and invariably it’s not the way we envisaged,” says Rakhi Chand, a psychotherapist. It can be challenging to let this go. As the climate crisis worsens, we should expect our summers to become more extreme, in terms of temperature and rainfall.The first thing to do, clearly, is push for urgent climate action – and being involved in activism makes you happier. But here are some other ways to boost your mood when it is miserable outside.Identify Sad symptoms“Many of us feel disappointed when the British summertime has been a bit of a washout,” says Kerry McLeod, head of information at the mental health charity Mind. Many people are affected by the change in seasons, she says, but for those with seasonal affective disorder (Sad) “the change has a much greater effect on mood and energy levels, leading to symptoms of depression that have a significant impact on day-to-day life”. Symptoms can include a lack of energy, low mood and difficulty concentrating.McLeod advises speaking to your GP if you notice a change in feelings, thoughts and behaviour that lasts for more than two weeks or keeps returning. “A lot of the stuff that we know is important for keeping ourselves mentally healthy in general applies here,” says Chand. Without a good dose of sunshine, “it’s even more important to exercise, eat well, socialise and keep a regular sleep pattern”.See the (artificial) light A light therapy lamp or box may help, says Chand (although she advises using one under the guidance of a professional). “There’s been a fair bit of research since about the 80s supporting light therapy as being effective for seasonal kinds of depression,” she says.Take vitamin DWe create vitamin D from UVB radiation (via direct sunlight) and it can be hard to make enough in the UK, particularly when the sky is steel-grey and we are inside all day. While not clinically proven, a low concentration of vitamin D has been associated with depression. Chand, who takes a vitamin D supplement, says: “Regardless of whether it’s winter or autumn or not, that has an impact.”
 

 

Just because it is windy or rainy (or both) doesn’t mean you should give up an outdoor exercise routine. Andy Baddeley, a former middle-distance Olympic runner and the CEO of the Running Channel, says he finds it easier to get out of the door before it starts raining, even if you know it will rain, so keep an eye on the forecast.Having the right kit will definitely make it a better experience. “Ultimately, your skin is waterproof, so if you’re going out for a short run, and it’s warm enough, you probably don’t need anything in particular. But if you’re going for a longer run and want to be protected from the elements, lightweight Gore-Tex running jackets will keep you completely dry, but they heat up a bit as well.” A pair of waterproof trail-running shoes might be a good investment “and means you can take on puddles, mud and slippery trails”. A peaked running hat will keep the rain from pouring down your face, while glasses help in the wind, to prevent streaming eyes or squinting, “which can make your whole upper body tense up”.You may need to alter your route – stick to well-draining roads or gravel paths rather than fields, for instance – but a difference in weather can make your usual circuit more exciting if you suddenly have puddles to leap over. “It brings out the child in us,” says Baddeley.

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/20/right-as-rain-10-ways-to-boost-your-mood-on-grey-wet-or-cold-days