Surviving Autumn like a Highland Cow
Despite autumn arriving in St Andrews somewhat later this year, it’s inevitable return has undoubtedly begun. A characteristic chill is in the air, hinting at the gale force winds and driving rain that is surely to come.
Of course, the most undeniable evidence of the turn of the seasons is the leaves changing to their autumnal colours. Seasonal migrations have begun, with flocks of barnacle geese flying over in their military V formation. For me, autumn is always marked more by the changing of nature than a date in a calendar.
While autumn has its charms, it is also easy to feel somewhat morose at the end of summer. Nearing a cold winter, plagued by unending colds, and with the bottom of jeans sodden, there seems to be very little to celebrate. To soften the blow, why not follow the lead of the natural world?
1. Get up earlier.
Being a morning person does not come naturally to me, especially in the cold winter months. However, when the sun sets at 3pm, starting the day earlier means you can make the most of the limited light. Many animals naturally change their sleeping patterns to adjust to longer nights and shorter days, by sleeping from dusk until dawn.
2. A diet of stews and soups.
Not only does this keep you warm, but it is an easy way to incorporate more seasonal produce into your cooking. Seasonal vegetables like parsnips and butternut squash are high in fibre, which is good for digestion. Carrots contain beta-carotene, a vitamin which is important for the production of vitamin A in our liver. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts also contain more vitamin C by weight than oranges. Both of these vitamins help to boost the immune system, which might just help to stave off freshers’ flu.
3. Dress like a highland cow.
An obvious solution to the freezing winds and pouring rain is to wrap up warm. This tactic is also employed by some of Scotland’s hardiest locals, the highland cows. In winter, they sport a fashionable double layered coat, a soft woolly layer covered by long, water-repellent hairs. Similarly, cozy jumpers under a long trench will go a long way to keeping warm in winter.
4. Keep going outside.
It can be tempting to enter a sort of hibernation in winter, only going outside to move between your room, the pub and (occasionally) the library. However, walks in the cold come with a host of benefits. Alongside the obvious mental health benefits, it's important to get any vitamin D you can. Studies have also found that spending time outdoors lowers cortisol, a hormone associated with higher stress levels.
Despite our best efforts, winter in Scotland can still be rough. So, if nothing seems to be helping you to get through the winter, it might be worth copying the swallows and flying south to somewhere a lot warmer.
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