It’s common for mothers to feel a rollercoaster of emotions at any given time for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re recently adjusting after giving birth, experiencing changes during breastfeeding, or just managing a whole lot of responsibilities on a less than ideal amount of sleep-mothers go through a lot. It’s ok to feel sad or overwhelmed at times, but things can feel especially dreary when the weather changes. Here are 3 tips to help you get through the season, if you’re feeling more sad than usual. 

1. Identify Nutritional Deficiencies

We’re inside more, so you’re getting less sunshine-and that means less vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to a number of mood disorders including depression. Supplementing Vitamin D into your diet can help boost your mood during the fall season and beyond. Eating a healthy diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine can also give you an overall sense of wellbeing and help put you in better spirits. 

2. Get Some Rest

Every mother reading this probably rolled her eyes at this one. Because, duh, we could all use some more rest! We’re in charge of growing and nurturing human beings for goodness sake. That’s a lot of work. I know I may be preaching to the choir here. But seriously, take a nap! Even if you’re super busy and can’t afford to waste a second of your day, schedule some extra sleep anyway. If one of your chores gets neglected for the day, or you have to watch one less episode of your favorite show, or you get takeout instead of cooking dinner, that’s ok. Sometimes we have to sacrifice a task or duty for the sake of our sanity. It’s worth it. 

3. Intentionally  Regulate Your Thoughts

Sometimes life just sucks. There’s no way to sugar coat it. Bad things happen that make us feel awful, and no amount of self care, sleep or healthy eating can change it. When you’re feeling down and your bad mood becomes a regular occurrence, it might be time to transform your life. Every time you have a negative thought or feeling, try to actively counter it with a positive one. Whatever you give the most energy to is what will grow. So if you consciously focus on the positive for a considerable amount of time, even if your circumstances don’t change right away, your mood definitely will.

I’m a firm believer that life is meant to be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. As mothers, we encounter so many obstacles that can leave us feeling just plain awful. Chilly and cloudy fall weather can make things seem even worse. Thankfully, there are steps we can take to get into better spirits for ourselves and for our families. Even though the fall can bring mood changes, it also comes with fun things like pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, hayrides, and thanksgiving! There’s always something to celebrate and be thankful for. I hope you remember that.