Returning to everyday life after vacations, the beginning of the new school year, traffic jams, financial obligations, and rainy weather are often the reasons for people's bad mood. That's why you hear about the term more and more often autumn depression, which really exists, but it is also possible to avoid it.

This phenomenon was first defined by an American psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, and it is important to note that this is not clinical depression, which has much more serious symptoms. When it comes to autumn depression, the symptoms are actually very subtle, so they are not always easy to recognize, and these are usually fatigue, lack of motivation, changes in appetite, insomnia or bad mood. Since this is a temporary condition, you should not be particularly concerned if you notice any of the symptoms.

The first signs of autumn depression appear already in the second half of September, while the situation often worsens in January and February. To make a diagnosis with certainty, the onset of depressive symptoms must correspond to the change of seasons and be repeated for at least two years in a row. Research conducted on this topic shows that women are up to six times more at risk of getting seasonal affective disorder than men.

However, experts claim that you can easily avoid autumn depression. The right diet, that is a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals, enough sleep, exercise and spending enough time in nature help to alleviate symptoms.

When it comes to exercise, you should always prioritize outdoor activities because of the positive effect of daylight. If you can, try to exercise for at least 30 minutes, three to four times a week. As for vitamins, it is recommended to consume sufficient amounts of vitamin C and vitamin B, and magnesium is especially important as a mineral.