10 ways to look after your mental health in autumn and winter

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, we explore some simple ways to take care of yourself this winter

For some, a change in season can bring about a certain energy. It may be excitement as we watch nature shift outside our window, or perhaps joy about what’s to come this season. For others, however, a change in season can invite a particular sense of dread.

Autumn and winter specifically can spark a low mood, as the bright light and warmth of summer drains away. In some cases, this switch can be severe, leading to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you can relate to a struggle in colder months, we’ve got 10 ideas to help you support your mental health.

1. Light up your life

Daylight can have a big impact on our mood and our circadian rhythms (affecting how we sleep). So, to give your mood a helping hand, try to ensure you expose yourself to daylight daily. Ideally, this would look like getting outside in the middle of the day, even if it’s just to stand for a few minutes looking up at the sky.

If this isn’t possible, head to a window or consider investing in a SAD lamp. You might also find it helpful to get some cosy low-lighting going in the evenings, to help you feel settled and safe in your environment.

2. Stay active

While it’s incredibly tempting to hibernate over winter and spend the majority of your time under a blanket (ideally with snacks), this likely isn’t going to help your mood. Staying active can encourage those wonderful feel-good hormones, endorphins, which boost your mood and can even ease pain.

The trick is to find something you enjoy and something that is accessible to you. This may mean heading out for a walk, doing some gentle stretches in front of the fire or hitting the gym. We’re all different, so find what works for you and what makes you smile.

3. Connect with nature

It’s been well-documented that nature has a positive effect on our mental health, and winter can provide a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. As the seasons change, so does the outside world, so why not head out with a notebook to do some nature journaling? Write about what you see, draw some sketches, and ask yourself what emotions it sparks.

If being outside a lot isn’t accessible to you, try to bring nature in. Look into indoor plants, enjoy some bird watching from your window, and pop on some David Attenborough.

4. Keep cosy and warm

This winter more than others may feel especially difficult, with some of us avoiding putting the heating on to avoid skyrocketing bills. Whether this is you, or you simply struggle in colder weather, it can have a real impact on your mood.

Staying as warm as possible can help. Simple steps like wearing thicker jumpers and socks can make a difference. Hot water bottles, electric blankets and plenty of hot drinks can also help.

5. Embrace hygge

The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is something more and more of us are trying to adopt. Referring to moments that are ‘cosy, charming or special’, hygge can cover a range of things. From lighting a special candle in the evening to enjoying dinner with friends, embracing the idea of hygge can make winter oh so appealing.

Learn more about finding hygge in your home.

6. Eat nutritious and warming meals

Our eating habits often change with the seasons, and in winter we tend to crave more sumptuous, hearty meals. Ensuring we continue to eat a balanced diet over winter can support our mood as well as our immune system.

Get inspired at Nutritionist Resource’s recipe section.

7. Stay connected

When it’s cold and dark out, it can be easy to opt for staying in instead of going out. While this can be incredibly lovely sometimes, be mindful not to isolate yourself. Staying connected with friends, family and loved ones is imperative to our mental wellbeing.

Try meeting up for a cuppa, having a regular video call or even start your own supper club. If you mostly work from home, see if you can get together with your colleagues. This may mean heading into an office if your company still has one, or even arranging a co-working day at a local cafe with friends.

8. Plan ahead for busy times

As we get closer to Christmas, our calendars can fill up with social events. While this can certainly help with the point above, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Try to plan ahead where you can, perhaps batch-cooking some meals to help save time, for example.

You may also want to plan some recuperation days, ensuring you’re taking time for self-care when things get busy. And if you need to, don’t hesitate to say no to social invites that feel a stretch too far.

9. Start a winter-friendly hobby

As the days get shorter, it can be helpful to keep the mind busy with a hobby. Think about some winter-friendly activities like knitting, reading or even completing a puzzle. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, lean into the chill and try cold-water swimming.

10. Seek extra support if you need to

Mental health isn’t linear and it can dip at any time. If you’re experiencing a dip and you’re struggling to cope, it may be worth seeking some professional support. This may mean visiting your GP, looking up a local support group, talking to a charity helpline, or finding a therapist.

Know that there are options and you are not alone in this.

Read more at Happiful.com

Related Links

• Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market

• Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections

• How to Pick a Color Scheme

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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How to Pick a Color Scheme

You just rented or purchased your first home and are ready to move, but where to start with furnishings, decor, lighting, artwork, and most importantly, wall colors?

Furnishing a first home can be overwhelming and expensive, but of all the elements that comprise your new home, color is the least expensive and provides the greatest impact.

As I discussed in a previous article, upon purchase, the wall color is most likely some shade of off-white, and the floor a neutral shade of tan or brown. Alternatively, if you are moving into a fixer-upper or an older home, you may be inheriting someone else's color and design choices. In either case, before proceeding, it’s always a good idea to go on Pinterest or TikTok for inspiration.

When moving into your first home, friends or family members may want to gift you new or used furniture that may not be your ideal aesthetic. This presents a moment of truth: Would you rather sit on the floor or would you rather lounge on a bright floral couch that might not be your taste? These decisions likely occur prior to establishing a color scheme. Just remember that upholstered furniture can be slip-covered or reupholstered and wood furniture can be painted.

A word of caution, however, no matter how luxurious or immediately available a piece of furniture may be, if you are not sure about the color or tone, do not build your color scheme around it, for you will always be unhappy. A good way to experiment with color schemes is to accept gifted or even found furniture to see how it feels.

Monochromatic Schemes 

The simplest and perhaps most foolproof color scheme is monochromatic, utilizing variations of a single color. While this approach may sound simple, it can prove challenging to work with just one color, no matter how many different shades are available. Monochromatic schemes do not have to be monotonous or boring! Remember, even the White House features three monochromatic rooms: the Red Room, the Blue Room, and the Green Room, which are far from simple or stale.

The 60-30-10 Rule 

One popular approach for determining your color scheme is the 60-30-10 rule. It may be hard to believe, but decorating and math are compatible! This equation establishes a major color as dominant, or 60 percent of a space, whether a room or an entire house. Going all in with a bold color as your 60 percent takes courage, but if orange or turquoise makes you happy, why not paint the walls and ceiling in this color? Live with your decision for a few days; it can always be repainted.

The next color, or the 30 percent in this scheme, is the secondary color or texture. If the dominant color is very bright, the secondary color may be more subdued. Remember, the secondary color will support the main color, bringing some contrast into your scheme.

Finally, the 10 percent color is the accent color, which gives the space some pizzazz or character. Here is where you should be really fearless, as only a small portion of this color will be used.

Picking Colors Based On Your Closet 

Still not sure where to begin selecting colors for your home? Why not start with your closet? The colors that you gravitate toward in apparel, the shades that people compliment when you wear them, are very possibly good colors with which to surround yourself. One's skin tone, hair and eye color will designate whether you are labeled winter, spring, summer or autumn.

Winter looks best in bold cool colors with blue or pink undertones, while spring shines in bright clear colors like peach, turquoise and bright coral. Soft, muted colors like lavender, powder blue, or dusty rose are ideal for summer. And autumn, no surprise, is at its best in deep reds, golden yellows and earthy browns. If you feel at your best wearing certain colors, why not decide to live with the same colors in your home?

Room Exposure 

The exposure of each room, whether north, south, east or west, can also provide inspiration and guidance for a color scheme. All color is light, and as light changes throughout the day, so does color. Overriding hourly or seasonal lighting changes is the exposure or multiple exposures of a room.

Light in north-facing rooms is typically consistent, but can be muted and cool. There are two options for north-facing rooms: cool light is ideal for darker colors or utilize lighter colors with warm undertones, such as those with a yellow cast or peachy pinks.

South-facing rooms are brilliantly lit, ideal for blues, greens and violets that will cool off the color temperature. More intense, deep colors also shine and will not look washed out in a south-facing room.

The sun rises in the east, so a warmer, brighter light color works best. Starting the day in a room with eastern exposure and a pastel or soft color can be inspiring.

Rooms with western exposure, where the sun sets, are perfect for darker, cooler colors. A neutral shade with cool or warm undertones will also work well.

The Properties of Color 

Once you have settled on your color scheme, it is crucial that you pay attention to a few properties of color, such as the intensity or hue of the color you are using and the lightness or tint of a color you have selected. A shade of a color is a color that is darker than its original hue, as a result of adding black to it. Adding white to a color increases its lightness, making it a tint.

By experimenting with paint, starting with the three primary colors red, blue and yellow, you can refine the colors you work with by adding black or white. Depending on your skill set and willingness to experiment, a minimal investment of five tubes of acrylic paint can be both illuminating and entertaining.

By mixing the paints, adding white and black, it is possible to comprise your color scheme on paper, which can be helpful when shopping for furnishings and fabric. Color saturation refers to the intensity or vibrancy of a color. If all the colors you use are highly saturated, the result will be an active, emotionally uplifting room, such as a space used for entertaining.

Make Your Home Yours 

There are no good or bad colors, so experiment with a carefree attitude and see what you discover. Color, like room temperature or sense of smell and taste, is extremely personal. If you love a color, go ahead and use it, without seeking the approval of others.

Color is the fastest way to put your personal signature on a space. Maybe even stroll through a museum, observe art that speaks to you, and then visit the museum gift shop for copies of your favorite art pieces. The composition and color placement in the artwork can be a point of departure from your color scheme. Most importantly, believe in your color choices, for they will make your home yours and yours alone.

Read more at USnews.com

Related Links

• Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market

• Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections

• What Is a Contingent Offer? What It Means When Buying a Home

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections

With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, you might be wondering what impact, if any, it’s having on the housing market. Let’s break it down.

Election Years Bring a Temporary Slowdown

In any given year, home sales slow down slightly in the fall. It’s a typical, seasonal trend. However, according to data from BTIG, in election years there’s usually a slightly larger dip in home sales in the month leading up to Election Day (see graph below):

Why? Uncertainty. Many consumers hold off on making major decisions or purchases while they wait to see how the election will play out. It’s a pattern that’s shown up time and time again, and it’s particularly apparent for buyers and sellers in the housing market.

This year is no different. A recent survey from Redfin found that 23% of potential first-time homebuyers said they’re waiting until after the election to buy. That’s nearly a quarter of first-time buyers hitting the pause button, likely due to the same feelings of uncertainty.

Home Sales Bounce Back After the Election

The good news is these delayed sales aren’t lost forever—they’re just postponed. History shows sales tend to rebound after the election is over. In fact, home sales have actually increased 82% of the time in the year after the election (see chart below):

That’s because once the election dust settles, buyers and sellers have a sense of what’s ahead and generally feel more confident moving forward with their decisions. And that leads to a boost in home sales.

What To Expect in 2025

If history is any indicator, that means more homes will sell next year. And based on the latest forecasts, that’s exactly what you should expect. As the graph below shows, the housing market is on pace to sell a total of 4.6 million homes this year, and projections are for 5.2 million total sales next year (see graph below):

And that aligns with the typical pattern of post-election rebounds.

So, while it might feel like the market is slowing down right now, it’s more of a temporary dip rather than a long-term trend. As has been the case before, once the election uncertainty passes, buyers and sellers will return to the market.

Bottom Line

It's important to remember that while election years often bring a short-term slowdown in the housing market, the pause is usually temporary. Those sales are not lost. Data shows home sales typically increase the year after a Presidential election, and current forecasts indicate 2025 will be no different. If you’re waiting for a clearer picture before making a move, just know that the market is expected to pick up speed in the months ahead.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

• Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market

• What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

• What Is a Contingent Offer? What It Means When Buying a Home

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market

No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home.

That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear of each one.

Trying To Time the Market

Many buyers are trying to time the market by waiting for home prices or mortgage rates to drop. This can be a really risky strategy because there’s so much at play that can have an impact on those things. As Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says:

“My advice for buyers is don’t try to time the market. There are ​a lot of swing factors, like the upcoming jobs report and the presidential election, that could cause the housing market to take unexpected twists and turns. If you find a house you love and can afford to buy it, now’s not a bad time.”

Buying More House Than You Can Afford

If you’re tempted to stretch your budget a bit further than you should, you’re not alone. A number of buyers are making this mistake right now.

But the truth is, it’s actually really important to avoid overextending your budget, especially when other housing expenses like home insurance and taxes are on the rise. You want to talk to the pros to make sure you understand what’ll really work for you. Bankrate offers this advice:

“Focus on what monthly payment you can afford rather than fixating on the maximum loan amount you qualify for. Just because you can qualify for a $300,000 loan doesn’t mean you can comfortably handle the monthly payments that come with it along with your other financial obligations.”

Missing Out on Assistance Programs That Can Help 

Saving up for the upfront costs of homeownership takes some careful planning. You’ve got to think about your closing costs, down payment, and more. And if you don’t work with a team of experienced professionals, you could miss out on programs out there that can make a big difference for you. This is happening more than you realize.

According to Realtor.com, almost 80% of first-time buyers qualify for down payment assistance – but only 13% actually take advantage of those programs. So, talk to a lender about your options. Whether you’re buying your first house or your fifth, there may be a program that can help.

Not Leaning on the Expertise of a Pro

This last one may be the most important of all. The very best way to avoid making a mistake that’s going to cost you is to lean on a pro. With the right team of experts, you can easily dodge these missteps.

Bottom Line

The good news is you don’t have to deal with any of these headaches. Connect with a local real estate agent so you have a pro on your side who can help you avoid these costly mistakes.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

• Durable Meets Chic: Designing a Stylish Home That Will Last Forever

• What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

• What Is a Contingent Offer? What It Means When Buying a Home

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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What Is a Contingent Offer? What It Means When Buying a Home

A contingent offer means that an offer on a new home has been made and the seller has accepted it, but that the final sale is contingent upon certain criteria that have to be met.

These criteria, or types of contingencies, are clauses in a sales contract that typically fall under three major categories: appraisal, home inspection, and mortgage approval.

Such contingencies are mainly put in place so that buyers can back out of a real estate sale if something goes wrong, usually without losing their earnest money deposit. A seller might entertain other offers after a refusal, but won’t deal with another buyer until the contingent offer is settled in one way or another.

Home inspection contingent offer

Home inspection contingency is one of the most common contingencies for home buyers. In this time frame, this contingency gives buyers the right to hire a home inspector and have their new home professionally inspected after putting down earnest money. And finalizing the real estate transaction usually hinges on this contingency. If something is wrong, a contingent offer allows the buyer to request that it be fixed and to renegotiate the price—or back out of the sale. It’s rarely advisable to waive an inspection contingency, and home buyers should generally consider this a must-have clause in a sales contract.

“Never in my life have I seen a home inspection contingency waived,” said Bishoi Nageh, vice president of branch operations for the Petra Cephas Team at Mortgage Network Solutions.

A good inspection will find if something is wrong with the current home on the real estate market.

Nageh recalled an instance of a first-time buyer who asked the seller to fix up some windows and then found that mold had been growing under the framework. This is how a contingency works during a home sale. Once you know the problems, you can talk with the sellers about what they need to fix before you buy the home.

Appraisal contingency

With this real estate contingency, a third party hired by the mortgage lender evaluates the fair-market value of the current home for sale. If the appraised value proves to be less than the sale price, the home appraisal contingency lets you back out of the deal.

“It’s in no one’s best interest to overpay,” Nageh said. “If the home comes in under the [asking] amount, you have the right to back out.”

In hot markets, potential buyers might feel pressured to waive a contingency but could pay more in the long run. The lender will only put up a certain amount of money for the appraised cost—which may not be the asking price—and the buyer will have to cover the rest to reach the purchase price.

For example, let’s say you qualify for a fixed-rate loan that covers 90%, and you need to put 10% down for a new house selling for $500,000. If the property is appraised at $475,000, the lender will only cover 90 percent of that appraised value, or $427,500. In this case, instead of a $50,000 down payment, you would be expected to put down $72,500 to cover the difference. Waiving this contingency in the purchase contract can be a gamble.

Mortgage contingency

You don’t want to sign a contract for a home purchase without having the money to back it up or, at the very least, a pre-approval. A mortgage contingency is a contingency that protects the buyer and seller from getting into a real estate sale without a proper loan. Under this contingency, the buyer has a specified period of time to obtain a loan that will cover the mortgage after the offer is accepted. If the buyer can’t get a lender to commit to a loan, the buyer has the right to walk away from the sale with the down payment.

To expedite the home buying process, “Know if you qualify sooner than later,” Nageh said. If you’re pre-approved, you won’t waste the seller’s time or yours during the loan-hunting period, which could take a few months.

Like an appraisal contingency, eager buyers and sellers in hot real estate markets might want to waive the financing contingency for the current home for sale, especially if cash is on the table. But waiving this contingency means that if your mortgage lender delays or denies your loan after a seller accepts your offer, you can lose the deposit during escrow, so it’s a risky venture.

Read more at Realtor.com

Related Links

• Durable Meets Chic: Designing a Stylish Home That Will Last Forever

• What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

• How Long Will It Take To Sell Your House?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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