Monday 5 September 2016

All The Leaves Are Brown: Reasons to Love Autumn



So, it’s that time of year when the nights draw in, the days become chilly and blustery, and many of us find ourselves feeling a little down.  But as autumn sets in, I’ve found myself looking forward to the season and thinking of all the things that are awesome about autumn.  So, this post is simply about things I love about autumn, along with some tips for making the most of the season.   





Keeping fit

 

Autumn is a great time for fitness. With summer social activities dying down, we may find we have more time for getting active. Plus the cooler weather may make exercise a lot more comfortable, and bad weather days give opportunities to do all that indoor training we just can’t bring ourselves to do when it’s lovely outside.





Comfy clothes



I found myself disproportionately happy a couple of days ago when I found the temperature was just right to pop on one of my favourite cosy checked shirts.  Maybe this is just me, but getting into comfy clothes definitely feels like a bonus of the changing seasons!


 
Natural beauty



There aren’t many things prettier than a golden autumnal landscape.  I for one can’t wait to get out for some autumn walk as the colours change and leaves begin to fall.  And who can resist a nice crunchy leaf to step on?!







Comfort food



I like salad as much as the next person, but there’s something special about being able to enjoy the satisfaction of eating a hot meal on a chilly day after a hard day’s work, or as a pick-me-up at lunch time.  Autumn is a great opportunity to reconnect with our kitchens, discover a new recipe or two and experience all the joys that soups and stews have to offer.





Cosy nights



Snuggling on the sofa with a great friend and a good film is the ideal way to spend an autumn evening.  Or maybe a hot chocolate and a chat at a country pub.  Either way, the change in season offers a wonderful opportunity to spend more time enjoying the company of the people we love.





Learning something new
 

So it’s time for the start of a new academic year, but learning isn’t just for students!  Whether it be a mass learning online course, learning a language or picking up a new sport or exercise class, autumn is a great time to learn something new and discover a new lease for life. 


Foraging

Autumn is a great time to forage for things like mushrooms and berries. Enjoying a few blackberries as I stroll around my local areas is one of my favourite things, and theres somethign quite special about eating something you found and picked for yourself. 





Taking stock



If autumn makes you feel a bit down in the dumps, it can be a great time to reflect on your year so far, take stock and decide whether you might want to make any changes in your life.  What’s been your biggest achievement this year?  How happy are you with life right now?  What might you like to be different at the end of the year? Let autumn be a time of refresh and revival rather than melancholy and lethargy.