Sensory self-care strategies for Autumn

The Wellbeing Doctor

I'm an NHS Clinical Psychologist (in training) sharing practical evidence-based ideas for looking after your mental and physical health.

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❄️As winter comes creeping round the corner, many of us tend to notice a seasonal increase in our levels of anxiety and depression, perhaps particularly this year, with what is likely to be a difficult winter ahead of us. However, when I first read the quotation above, it forced me to consider October as a month with positives and beauty, rather than just the sinister stairway to a bleak winter. 

🍁So perhaps rather than just mourning the loss of summer, now is the perfect time to engage in some cosy autumnal sensory-soothing activities to reduce our anxiety and notice the benefits of Autumn. I’ve spoken a lot in previous posts about how useful our five senses are in managing anxiety and sending a message to our brain that we are safe. 

Here’s a few ideas of ways you can use your senses to enjoy October:

🍂Go for a walk and notice the beautiful colours of the changing leaves

🍂Listen to the crunch of the leaves under your feet and the wind through the trees

🍂Look for soft, cosy textures – wrap yourself in a wooly blanket or pull on some soft socks

🍁Start eating mindfully – savour some comforting hot soup or treat yourself to a hot chocolate 

🍂Enjoy autumn flavours and scents – flavours popular at this time of year like apple, cinnamon and spices can be really comforting either in edible form or through candles

🍂Go nature collecting – pick blackberries, pumpkins, collect conkers or acorns to focus your mind while you’re outside. 

🍂Focus on temperature – go outside and notice the cold wind on your face, get cosy by an open fire or enjoy a warm bubble bath.

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The Wellbeing Doctor

I'm an NHS Clinical Psychologist (in training) sharing practical evidence-based ideas for looking after your mental and physical health.

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