Beat the autumn blues

Pretend you're Gene Kelly from Singin' In The Rain!

In a lot of ways, this time of year is a real limbo of sorts: The warmth and fun of summer is over, and the crisp excitement of winter is too far off in the distance to contemplate; school is in session, work is busier than ever and the weather is, in a word, appalling.

All in all, it’s hardly anybody’s favourite time of the year, but here are some ways you can try to beat off the autumn blues.

• Is the weather outside hampering your regular walking or fitness schedule? Don’t let it! Pretend you’re Gene Kelly from Singin’ In The Rain and both problems evaporate away in a series of choreographed dance moves. For that more strenuous aerobic experience, try splashing water on people walking past you, the subsequent running away will liven you up no end.
• Is the cold getting you down? Conjure up memories of warmer times by buying your favourite ice pop and eating it as you go about your business. The positive mental imagery will make you feel instantly better about the situation, while also giving passers-by a good laugh as they see you walking past in sub zero temperatures licking a cornetto.
• Unable to get into it at school? Exams too far away to care? Take your mind off the stress by cheering up yourself and your classmates through a series of high jinks. Prepare for future snowball fights by having target practice with paper balls. Cash in on people’s love for seeing someone falling over by engaging in the classic “push someone over the kneeling guy”. Such moves will undoubtedly make you a class legend and have a queue of people wanting to be your friend, which will make a large influx of Christmas presents a distinct possibility.
• Wile away the long nights by building a makeshift fort and waging war against your family members. If your family take no notice, just keep throwing stuff at them. Unless you belong to a family of Quakers or similar pacifists, they will be retaliating in no time and thus you have a high-octane family activity on your hands. Once you’ve done any or all of these, you’ll feel the time flying in....

Feeling down, stressed or depressed? See the Healthy Mind section for supportive information, chill out tips and lots more.

By: Paddy Duffy