Autumn Checklist
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in his novel The Great Gatsby: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall,” and we couldn’t agree more. Not feeling so inspired? Need a little help? Here we go…
Turn up the lights (or buy some new light bulbs)
It’s been scientifically proven that the lighting in a room affects the well-being of its inhabitants. Some kinds of light can have a positive effect, while others cause harm. Insufficient lighting can cause headaches, problems with vision, feelings of despondency, and even depression. The colour of the lighting can also influence your emotional and mental state:
Yellow, the colour of joy, can eliminate the feeling of fatigue and drowsiness.
Green lighting helps you relax, making it ideal for bedrooms.
Red is invigorating but shouldn’t be overused as it can raise your blood pressure.
Shades of blue and violet are not recommended for day rooms: prolonged exposure to these colours can dampen your mood
The white light of LED lamps is as close as possible to natural white light and can activate your initiative and efficiency.
Rustle the leaves under your feet
It helps in any difficult situation.
Go hiking
Wear comfortable and warm clothes, bring a thermos of coffee or tea, and take enough food and water. Leave with friends early in the morning when the air is still damp and frosty. Climb a mountain, breathe deeply, enjoy the smells, flora and fauna, and atmosphere. Take a picture with your eyes. If you don’t have time to leave the city, you can always visit Holosiivskyi Park, Feofaniya Park, the Hryshko Central Botanical Garden, Pushcha-Vodytsia, or Trukhaniv Island.
Make mulled wine at home
It’s easier than you think.
Arrange a detox of your wardrobe
Put away your summer clothes and fill your wardrobe with jumpers and sweaters, jeans and trousers, sneakers and boots. Order in your wardrobe equals order in your mind.
Do a bit of art therapy
Start taking adult painting courses. And if you don’t want to poke your nose outside, get creative at home. You can throw your negative emotions onto paper or just dream about summer and sketch a sunny landscape.
Buy a cosy sweater: beautiful, fluffy, and warm
As recommended by the Danish theory of cosiness, or hygge: to enhance the effect of happiness, you need to make purchases associated with a happy moment. For example, when I finish that project, I’ll celebrate it with a new sweater or a pair of pyjamas.
Light candles
It gets dark early in autumn and winter, so you have at least one great reason for a candlelit dinner.
Learn to play a new musical instrument
When I mastered the piano, my life was divided into ‘before’ and ‘after’. It’s even better than meditation.
Learn to cook an “autumn dish”
My signature autumn dishes are pies, especially pumpkin and mushroom. There is something cosy and very autumnal about the smell of pastries wafting through your apartment. Think of a dish you associate with autumn, and learn to cook it. We suggest visiting a khachapuri master class (regularly held at several of Kyiv’s Georgian restaurants).
Declare the theatre season officially open
If anything can tear a person away from a good book in the autumn, it’s a trip to the theatre. You could go for something unusual, perhaps at the Dykyi (Wild) Theatre, which is famous for its sharp social commentary and unusual approach to productions. Alternatively, opt for the good old classics at the Ivan Franko Theatre.
Return to your gym schedule
It’s a great mood-booster: just think of the endorphins you produce during training, not to mention the sense of achievement you’ll feel afterwards.
Smile
To yourself, to your reflection in the mirror, your friends, and that attractive stranger.
PS
Let us know how you like to spend autumn. Write to us at
editor@whatson-kyiv.com
The best responses will be published in next month’s issue!
