Lower moods and more intense feelings of anxiety as the days get shorter and the sun loses its strength could be signs of autumn asthenia. Its effects can be lessened naturally.
Wim Hof. Source: Facebook The Iceman Wim Hof
Fall depression, also called fall asthenia, is an annual problem that many people begin to experience in the fall. According to specialists, it can persist throughout the winter and ends with the onset of spring.
Loss of interest in daily activities, irritability, fatigue, low mood and anxiety are its common symptoms, and one of its main causes is the reduction of natural sunlight as the days get shorter.
There are a number of natural remedies to deal with autumn asthenia, experts say. Wim Hof, the endurance athlete nicknamed “The Iceman” for his performances in cold water and cold exposure offers some recommendations to lessen the effects of autumn asthenia. Here are some of them, presented on the athlete’s website.
Parks, refuges against asthenia
The reduction in sunlight that people get causes serotonin levels to drop, as well as vitamin D production to drop, which is probably the most common cause of autumn fatigue. Going out in nature can be beneficial even in the absence of sunlight.
“Make sure you take regular walks in the park, go jogging more often or get up early to enjoy the morning sun. Even when the sun isn’t shining, being outside and enjoying the daylight gives you a positive mood boost”informs wimhofmethod.com.
Cheerful autumn decorations
On autumn days, people tend to spend more time indoors, but this should not be seen as depressing.
“Instead of focusing on the fact that you’re getting less sun and not going outside as often as you’d like, try to think about how comfortable it is inside too. You can do this, for example, by adding brightly colored accessories and warm blankets to your home. The same goes for clothing – brightly colored clothes lift your mood and put you in a happy mood.”says Wim Hof, on his website.
The beneficial effects of music
Music is an equally effective way to calm down. “When you sing, you stimulate your vagus nerve. This nerve connects the brain to organs such as the heart and lungs and affects mental health. For example, mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression are reduced if you stimulate the vagus nerve. One way to do this is by singing. This nerve runs through your throat, so humming or singing stimulates it“, says the athlete.
Running banishes asthenia
At least 30 minutes of exercise every day is helpful against autumn asthenia. Activities such as going to the gym, going for a walk or going out on a bike are some examples.
“During these types of exercise, your body produces endorphins. These endorphins reduce your perception of pain and generate a positive feeling in the body”the athlete’s website shows.
The beneficial effect of breathing exercises
Breathing exercises also help relieve the symptoms of autumn asthenia.
“Deep breathing exercises, for example, slow your heart rate, give your bloodstream a good amount of oxygen and ultimately signal your brain to relax,” says Wim Hof.
65-year-old Wim Hof is famous for his extreme performances in the cold: he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, ran a half-marathon at the Arctic Circle barefoot, and survived for 112 minutes in a container covered with ice cubes.
Due to his performances, his lifestyle and his therapeutic methods, breathing and cold exposure, he became extremely popular in the virtual space. His YouTube channel has almost three million fans and his Facebook page has almost one million followers.
