“The falling leaves drift by my window. The autumn leaves of red and gold”.

The song “Autumn Leaves” evokes beautiful images of the season.  But, in reality, fallen leaves clog drains, which, unless cleared quickly, create potential flood hazards during the next heavy downpour.

And you turned to this page to be cheered up!

People who constantly need cheering up as autumn arrives could be suffering with Seasonal Affective Disorder.  S.A.D. is brought on by the dread of shorter days and longer nights and feels like a cloud constantly hanging over you.

Sunlight can stimulate a part of the brain called the hypothalamus and there’s a theory that S.A.D.is caused by reduced exposure to sunlight in autumn and winter, which can affect people’s moods, appetite and sleep.  As if we haven’t had enough to worry about this year!

In particularly bad cases, people are helped by a light box that radiates daylight-equivalent illumination.  I’m no expert on S.A.D. but on cold dry days, sufferers might benefit from wrapping up warm and taking a walk in the park.

Fresh air and exercise can really improve our mood and our health.
It’s simple but effective.  Just like my Uncle Cledwyn.

For working S.A.D. sufferers, based at home or at their workplace, being busy can help take their mind off the problem.

If retired, a cheap, effective way of combating S.A.D. is to pop into a warm, brightly-lit supermarket and, if the café is open under the various lockdown rules, sit at a socially-distanced table with a hot drink and watch the hustle and bustle for a while.

While I’d never suggest those with S.A.D should stop watching TV news, it might be wise if they limit themselves to one or two bulletins a day.

I doubt there’s been one recorded case of anyone watching hours of rolling news and feeling any positive benefit!

Please don’t keep your S.A.D. to yourself.  It’s possible someone you tell might have once had it and can give you helpful advice.

So change your S.A.D. to D.S.A & A.S.D.  Don’t Suffer Alone and Always Smile Daily.