The dark nights, the even darker mornings, the weather…with months of winter incoming and your summer holidays a distant memory it’s easy to feel a little bit down at this time of year but we want to cheer you up, from mixing up your routine to quick fix mood brightening treatments we’ve got loads of ways to give autumn blues the finger.
By Jo Hoare
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1 Break from the old routine
Refresh your mind by mixing up your morning commute a little, take a different route to the station or get a bus if you usually get a train. Take time to really notice your surroundings and as well as giving your brain a break from your everyday routine you might discover a cool new coffee shop or pretty park.
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2 Nail it
For a super speedy and inexpensive pick me up book yourself a file and polish. Sure a full mani is a real treat but you’ll get that same shiny new nail hit for a fraction of the time and cost. Bright red stimulates the brain and can help with feelings of alertness and vitality so choose a pillar box shade for extra mood boosting.
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3 Dance Dance Dance
Dancing is good for your body and brain as it helps produce mood improving chemicals, but you don’t have to go to a club or class to squeeze in a quick five minutes. Crank up Spotify, and go crazy to two or three of your favourite songs. We guarantee you’ll feel better afterwards. This is also a great thing to do if you struggle to get going in the mornings.
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4 Use the good stuff
The posh perfume you use for special occasions, the eye wateringly expensive bath oil you ration, the luxury candle you only light once a week, treat yourself to using your ‘good stuff’ for no reason at all other than you feel like it.
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5 Go for golden
If you usually save spray tans for holidays and big occasions then a no particular reason spray tan is definitely a way to feel good. Most of us feel more attractive with a bit of colour and seeing yourself tanned triggers memories of happy holidays.
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6 You are what you eat
We know that what we eat affects how we feel but it doesn’t have to be all about green juices, dark chocolate has been proven to reduce stress hormones, including cortisol (AKA the one that can contribute to weight gain around your middle), so a few squares a day is an ideal way to beat your mid afternoon slump.
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7 Blow it out
Someone else washing your hair is an unparalleled luxury and nothing lifts the spirits like that just stepped out a salon feeling so treat yourself to a salon blow dry and the happy feelings will last til you next wash it (eke it out as long as possible by covering it when in the shower, clipping in a top knot for bed and a spritz of dry shampoo on the roots).
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8 Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter activates happy feelings and the good news is faking it does too. This means you don’t have to be watching your fave comedy or joking with a friend, fake laughter produces the same positive effects so try making yourself laugh, you might feel silly at first but keep going and you’ll soon be doing it for real.
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9 Lash out
Long, look-at-me lashes instantly make you look brighter and more awake. If you want a treatment that has everyone telling you how well you look then subtle lash extensions are for you. With no need for mascara they’ll also give you a few more minutes in bed.
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10 Pay it forward
Doing things that make others feel better makes us feel better too so do something nice right now, from paying a colleague or even a stranger a compliment to sponsoring a friend fundraising on social media, it’ll make you feel good about yourself.
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11 Just a touch
Human touch promotes feeling of calm, relaxation and can even boost your immune system and decrease blood pressure, give yourself a facial massage as you apply your moisturiser, take time to notice how your muscles feel when you use body lotion or book yourself in for a salon massage.