Brett's Blog: How to Beat Post-Summer Blues
October 7, 2008 | by Brett Blumenthal | 4 Comments
Depending on where you live, you may not have had much of a summer. In the Northeast, we have had so much rain and dreary, cold days, that many of us feel robbed and can’t believe we are in the throes of honest to goodness Fall. It just doesn’t feel right that the leaves are changing and the temperature is dropping so quickly. All in all, there seems to be a mild depression plaguing cities like Boston and Portland, Maine. Unfortunately, we can’t do very much about the weather, but we CAN change our attitude and pull ourselves out of this funk we have been in. Here are a few ideas that might be worth trying:
- Plan a Getaway: Planning a future getaway, especially to somewhere tropical, can get your mood moving in the right direction. As you plan your vacation, visualize yourself at your destination. Imagine feeling the warm tropical breezes blow through your hair, the sand between your toes and the warm sunshine on your skin.
- Rent a Movie: Rent a movie that takes place in tropical locations. The visuals will get your mind off the cold and dreary and onto the sunshine and beautiful scenery. A couple to consider: 50 First Dates (Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) and Fool’s Gold (Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey).
- Fall Cleaning: All of us have heard of spring cleaning…so why not make fall a time to throw out the old and bring in the new? Freshen up the house with new colorful accents; go through your closets and toss out things you don’t wear anymore; and open up the windows and let in the fresh cool air.
- Day at the Spa: Sure, ANY time is a good time to go to the spa, but if you are suffering from a little post-summer depression, pampering yourself with feel-good treatments can definitely lift your mood. If the spa is a bit more than your pocketbook can handle, go for a manicure and pedicure.
- Tanning Beds: Granted, tanning beds are NOT the most healthy option, but the warmth and the UV light can actually boost your mood. I don’t think one or two sessions are going to do you any harm, especially if you are careful to not overexpose your skin.
Have you been suffering from Post-Summer Blues? What have you done to get into a better mood?
Related Topics:
- Top 10 Reasons to Go to the Spa
- Getting More out of the Outdoors at Home
- The Art of Living in the Moment
- Mind/Body Topics
Reed
50 First Dates, I’ll give ya. Fools Gold, uhhh…… not so much.
Lucky for me, we’re just entering spring here down south! Wooh!
Geoffrey Rutledge
Hi,
I think your blog is terrific, and I would like to feature you on Wellsphere (http://www.wellsphere.com). Would you drop me an email?
Good health!
Geoff
–
Geoffrey W. Rutledge, MD, PhD
http://medblog.wellsphere.com
David
I’d recommend getting a fake tan over a tanning bed. They’re not worth the risk. Having a bronzed, summer look will help cheer away some wintery blues too.
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/tip-sheet-tanning-booths
gabe
I agree with your comment on tanning beds boosting your mood, however it is cheaper and simpler to just wake up and get some nice warm mid-morning sun in a south-east facing window., if you have one. 10-15 minutes a day feels great!
It also helps to bring some of the greenery indoors and overwinter it. If really feeling down, hit up sports centre, and make sure they have a pool, steam room, and sauna. Sweat a lot, it feels fantastic!