Psychotherapist offers advice for seasonal mood changes

As the transition to winter time approaches on October 25, psychotherapist Elisabeth Rauh, chief physician for psychosomatics and psychotherapy at the Schön Klinik Bad Staffelstein, provides strategies to manage the 'autumn blues' caused by earlier darkness.

Rauh suggests re-evaluating one's perspective on the darker months, perhaps reframing them as a 'quiet' or 'cozy' season rather than focusing solely on the lack of light. She emphasizes the importance of expectation management and identifying whether discomfort stems from actual past experiences or merely negative thought patterns.

To prevent mood drops, Rauh recommends maintaining a consistent daily structure, engaging in physical movement, and maximizing exposure to daylight. For those unable to spend sufficient time outdoors, light therapy is mentioned as a potential option.