7 Ways To Care For Yourself And Your Mental Health This Autumn/ Fall.

October 26, 2025October 27, 2025 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 1 Comment

(image: Ella Ivanescu, Unsplash)

Autumn (or if you’re in the USA, Fall) is one of my favourite seasons. Beautiful autumn leaves, the weather getting gently cooler, cosy hot chocolates and pumpkin spice, the autumn harvest of pumpkins, snuggling in blankets with a good book or TV show and for some- walks in nature with the orange and yellow trees and landscapes. However, did you know that the clocks going back and the change in light and dark, with nights drawing in, can affect your mental health? Studies have shown that when its darker, people are more prone to depression and anxiety and some (like myself at times) struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

There are many ways to take care of yourself if you feel your mood dipping or you are becoming more anxious. If you feel it is affecting your daily functioning, please reach out for support from your doctor (and if you have one, a therapist or psychologist). Here I talk about a few tips to help support your mental health this Autumn.

Make sure you rest as well as play and work

Work can become all consuming, but if you prioritise rest this season too, your body will thank you. Autumn is all about slowing down, recovering, resting (and for animals (and some humans) hibernating). Yes you can work and play hard if you prefer, but make sure you find that balance to support your wellbeing. In our busy lives and for those who are parents or just struggling with their mental health, self care can slip. Practising good self care- eating well, resting, gentle exercise, can really help our minds.

2. Release Control- Give Stress Over

Gabby Bernstein, my favourite spiritual teacher, often says ‘Release control to find peace, surrender it to the Universe’. Surrendering means not obsessing about what we can’t control, but giving it over to a higher power or the universe. This can really help when we feel overwhelmed and stressed, to pray and meditate or simply write down how you are feeling and then ask the universe to take it from you. Journalling thoughts and feelings can help too.

3. Nature walks

Despite the cold, this Autumn, walking in nature can help get the blood pumping and our minds to reset. Sometimes going with a friend, spouse or family member can cheer you up- there is something about the colours of nature, the soft greens that is truly calming.

(image: Erika Mendes, Unsplash)

4. Make your home cosy

Whether its getting some new cushions or blankets, fairy lights or lamps, investing in cosy and light interiors for the darker seasons is a must! I like to use lamps when the nights draw in.

5. Get enough sleep (but not too much!)

During the Autumn/ Winter period, most of us naturally want to hibernate in the evenings. Sometimes this period can make depression and anxiety worse. I know with my bipolar that sometimes I feel lower or more anxious. Getting enough daylight and if you struggle with seasonal affective disorder, use an SAD lamp, which can help you to wake up gently in the mornings. Similarly, make sure you get enough sleep for you to keep your mental and physical health at its best. Depression can cause us to sleep longer hours and hide away- I find daytime distractions can help me not to sleep too much.

6. Take your medication as prescribed

If you struggle with mental health in winter and are prescribed antidepressants or other meds, do not suddenly stop them as this can cause a relapse in your mental health. Make sure you speak to your doctor first!

7. Treat yourself

Treat yourself to a hot chocolate (or pumpkin space drink) and a good book or TV show, wrapped in a cosy hoodie or blanket. You deserve it!

Wishing you all a wonderful and well Autumn/Fall season.

Eleanor

Winter Blues and Cotswold Cottages by Eleanor

February 13, 2025 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Liv Cashman)

“Winter is the time to snuggle up in blankets and sip on hot cocoa.”

It is official, I am totally over Winter! I cannot wait until the days are longer, the cherry blossoms are on the trees, the sunshine is shining, the baby animals are around, the daffodils are nodding. Yes, Spring is much needed.

I find that the Winter season makes me want to hibernate and I definitely feel lower in this season. Some people like me may have seasonal affective disorder.

So despite the cold winter darkness, I know the days will lengthen soon (and then I will be saying its too hot when its summer!),

This is just a short post to remind myself to enjoy the rest of winter (and find a lovely Cotswolds cottage like the photo to go to!)

Eleanor x

Mind Charity And The Works Reveal The Crafts That Will Aid Your Mental Health This Winter.

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Andrey Novik, Unsplash)

With the nights drawing in, The Works have teamed up with the mental health charity, Mind, to raise awareness of the mental health benefits of crafting.

The winter can be especially difficult for many, with darker, colder days and prolonged periods of rain affecting energy, mood, anxiety and stress levels. Some people may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a type of depression experienced during different seasons or times of year.

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind said,

“We know that crafting can be a powerful way to support mental health and wellbeing. Creative activities like card-making or knitting require focus, which may help us disconnect from daily pressures and find a welcome distraction. Learning a new skill can also bring a sense of accomplishment, which can be especially rewarding as the nights draw in. The repetitive motions of these crafts can feel meditative and calming, making them a helpful tool for managing stress, depression, and anxiety. Different things will work for different people and the main thing is finding a craft you enjoy and which fits into your life.”

Mind and The Works have produced a blog post with some ideas for easing stress and anxiety, boosting concentration, focus and memory.

Lynne Tooms, Chief Commercial Officer at The Works said, “Channelling your emotions into creativity can have a huge impact on us as adults, with various craft types having a big impact on our mood and sense of achievement, as well as providing us with skills and hobbies that can turn into passions to enjoy all year round.”

https://www.theworks.co.uk/theworks-blog/craft/winter-wellbeing-crafts.html

Top 10 crafts ideas to support wellbeing:

Colouring
Crocheting
Knitting
Painting
Ceramics
Sketching
Scrapbooking
Journalling
Cross Stitch
Flower Pressing

This post was written by a freelance writer on behalf of Mind and The Works.

Seasonal Affective Disorder And How To Improve Your Mental Health by Eleanor

December 2, 2024 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Mira Kemppainen)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression during particular seasons of the year (most commonly winter and summer). For me personally, I know the cold, dark early nights do not help as I will just want to hibernate! I find that during winter I am much more prone to depression/anxiety and I know others are too.

Mind says that, ‘ if your feelings are interfering with your everyday life, it could be a sign that you have depression. And if they keep coming back at the same time of year, doctors might call this seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or ‘seasonal depression’.

SAD symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling sad and tearful, withdrawing from friends and family, feeling anxious or agitated, sleeping too much or too little and suicidal thoughts.

Luckily there are ways to improve your mental health with SAD:

Talk to someone or a helpline about how you are feeling

This can include Samaritans, Sane line or CALM.

These helplines can listen to you and provide a kind, one to one, listening ear if you are stuggling with depression, low self esteem, feelings of unworthiness or suicidal ideation.

2. Track your symptoms

It might be good to see what times of the month you are feeling worse too and how the weather is. A daily diary can be really helpful to show to your Dr or therapist.

3. Manage Stress

Speak to your therapist or find some mental health support locally if you can. Speak to a trusted loved one and make sure you don’t become too stressed or overwhelmed.

Look at mental health relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and make sure you are not over working and taking time to rest.

4.Walk and exercise

Exercise can help to boost your mood when you have SAD. Maybe a brisk walk or even some dancing around your room to a youtube video, any exercise can boost those endorphins and set you up for a good day.

5. Self Care

Watching a good TV show, having a bubble bath and planning other relaxing activities can really help. Especially on dark, cold and miserable nights. Look after yourself.

6. Speak to your GP

If your depression is worsening and you need medical help, please reach out to your GP or psychiatrist as they may be able to help with further treatment eg anti depressant medication if suitable.

SAD can be really challenging but making sure to take time for yourself, practise self care, talk about it and reach for help can go a big way in easing the depression’s effects this winter.

What I love about the Festive Season (even though I don’t celebrate Christmas). by Eleanor

December 9, 2021December 9, 2021 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

What do you love about this time of year? Although i don’t celebrate Christmas, I absolutely love many things about this season of celebration, including Chanukah that has just been and the way this time of year can feel super cosy!

Heres my list and what I am looking forward to:

Blankets, PJs and warm socks

Festive songs- got to love Mariah

Feeling cosy/ hygge indoors

Hot chocolate with or without marshmallows

Gingerbread men

Twinkly fairy lights and the London Christmas Lights

If you celebrate Christmas- your christmas tree

Time with family and friends

For me, Chanukah- lighting candles each night and celebrating, which we did last week 🙂 we eat doughnuts

Giving gifts to those I love

Being with my husband and having chill time- his birthday is just after Christmas too. And cuddling our guineapigs Midnight and Nutmeg.

Christmas markets

Going to the theatre (as long as we are still allowed)

Having days off work to watch good TV with family

Sex and the City returning as And Just Like That, Emily in Paris second season and hopefully a new season of Bridgerton will be on its way soon.

My Body Shop pampering treats (perks of the job).

Helping others and doing good deeds

This time of year can also be a time of loneliness, poor mental health and lots of other awful things people are facing such as poverty or homelessness. But today, as I always focus on the heavier issues, i am looking for the positives – but Give your time to others who need it too. if youre able.