10 Ways To Beat The September Blues

So, summer is over, what little we had of it, and that holiday feeling is already fading fast. But what can we do to make sure that we stay feeling - and looking - happy and optimistic as the days become shorter and shorter and the weather more miserable?

Here, Life Coach Fiona Harrold and Cherry Maslen offer ten ways to beat the September blues.

1. Set Yourself Goals
When we're on holiday, we often take a fresh perspective on our lives. We vow to find a job where we don't have to work long hours, live more healthily, or fulfil long held ambitions.

Don't let those resolutions slip through your fingers when you get back to the demands of 'reality', or you will only become frustrated.

Written goals have extraordinary power so write down whatever it was that you wanted to do and give yourself a deadline to start putting the wheels in motion.

Draw up some inspiring goals for each area of your life. Do lists for three years, one year, six months, three months, one month and then weekly.

2. Look Like You're On Holiday
Remember all that effort you put in to get that 'Bikini Shape'? Don't let it all go pear-shaped now.

Keep your holiday tummy by finding some exercise you can enjoy enough to stick at it all winter. Swimming is a great choice, as you don't have to wait until next summer to show off your svelte figure.

Exercise also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones, to help you keep that carefree holiday mood.

A subtle fake tan also does wonders for your spirits allowing you to carry off bright coloured clothes and make-up. Look for terracotta's, oranges and pinks to brighten your mood.

3. Stay Happy
It's easy for that wonderful feeling of relaxation and well being you felt on holiday to be wiped out as soon as you're back at work. Think of all the things that make you happy and make time for them.

Everyone can build a period of relaxation into their daily lives. If you can't, re-organise your life until you can. Find something you can do every week that revitalises you, whether it's salsa dancing, yoga or singing lessons. Life is short... so enjoy it!

4. Build A Success Network
Roughly 90% of everything that happens in your life is determined by the people that you associate with on a daily basis.

You begin to think, walk and talk the same as the people that you are around most. So the changes you want in life will not begin to happen until you change the people that you associate with the most.

Life coach Fiona Harrold says: "Search out the right two or three people to form a small success group whose intention is mutual support and success."

'Draw up some rules and make it confidential, but also fun. Meet in a great coffee bar, or take turns to host your meetings at home.'

5. See The Daylight
If you feel depressed at the onset of autumn, it might be that the shorter days get you down or you may also be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Invest in one of the light boxes and daylight simulation bulbs available. Just one hour of simulated daylight a day can be enough to lift your mood.

Also, try wearing summer clothes - no one need know you're wearing thermal underwear underneath.

6. Deal With Christmas
Make a plan of the Christmas you want to have and the people you want to spend it with, and tell them. Don't end up getting dragged into the same old family routines if they do not make you feel happy.

If you like the idea of Christmas day spent on a sunny beach then start ringing travel agents now.

Tell family members what your intentions are so they can get used to the idea early.

7. Enjoy The Outdoors
Too many of us are in the habit of spending all autumn and winter indoors.

Carry on doing all those things that you enjoyed doing this summer - playing tennis, going for walks or cycling.

Even if you think your not really an outdoor type, you could be surprised at how good a brisk walk on a winters day makes you feel.

8. Plan Weekends Away
Spending time autumn and winter weekend breaks now will pay off as you may find that once the holiday season is over and you get back into your routine, you won't get around to it.

Many parts of the British coast line, such as Pembrokeshire and Wales, and the wilder parts of Scotland are spectacular in winter.

9. Aromatherapy
There's nothing as powerful as our sense of smell to bring back good memories. Jasmine and musk conjure up exotic gardens, rose will give you summery thoughts, and spicy scents could take you back to the markets of Marrakech.

10. Book A Holiday
This is not as self-indulgent as it sounds. With the relentless pace of our 24 hour lifestyles, many of us only really relax when we're on holiday.

So, budget allowing, book a winter sun break, or plan a holiday as early as you can next year and relish the thought.

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