Autumn paints the world in warm colours, but the golden leaves often conceal other tones: melancholy, loneliness and pensiveness. For many, this time of year is a moment of calm - but also a time when old issues and new challenges are felt more intensely. At REDEZEIT FÜR DICH, we experience just how much the ‘autumn blues’ affect people.

In our new interview, listener Katja Fleischmann shares her perspectives on this special time of year. She talks about the thoughts and feelings that occupy people in autumn, how the mental stress differs from other seasons and how REDEZEIT FÜR DICH can help to be an anchor in precisely these difficult phases.

Autumn is often associated with the ‘autumn blues’. How exactly would you describe this term and what role does it play for the people who contact REDEZEIT FÜR DICH?

The ‘autumn blues’ unfortunately has a negative connotation in society. This time of year is often characterised by feelings of sadness, listlessness, loneliness or melancholy. Less sunlight, colder temperatures and the transition from the active phase in summer to the quiet phase in winter put people in this mood. Many people contact me via REDEZEIT to talk about fear, a lack of prospects or confronting unresolved issues. Especially in the autumn blues, callers feel this many times more strongly.

I see my work as listening to you, giving you space to share your feelings and gently reminding you that now is a good time to let go of old things, recharge your batteries and prepare for the new year.

What are typical feelings or thoughts that people have at this time of year and how do you support them in your role as a listener?

Feelings such as sadness, fear of failure, inability to act, loneliness, excessive demands and lack of motivation are typical of this autumn blues phase.

Many people brood more about personal issues and often have thoughts such as: ‘I can't do this.’ I have no strength.’, “I'm scared.”, “Everything is so pointless.” and many more.... As a listener, I give them my time and my full attention. By talking to you as an equal, offering new perspectives and imparting knowledge appropriate to your situation, you can sort out your thoughts and find new hope.

How does the mental stress in autumn differ from other times of the year, for example in comparison to the stress around Christmas?

Because it gets dark sooner and the weather is often uncomfortable, people perceive the daily stress much more quickly and emotionally. In autumn, people tend to feel constricted, melancholy and sad.

During the Christmas period, people have more to do with stress. This is often exacerbated by expectations, family obligations, time pressure and perfectionism.

The Christmas period can be very challenging for many people - old conflicts often flare up and the pressure of expectation is high. What problems are particularly common during this phase?

Perfectionism (the pressure to spend the perfect holidays together) causes enormous stress. The great need for harmony also wants to be satisfied and too often it is not really possible to find this harmony. Other people increasingly experience what or who they have lost and feel lonely and alone.

Here it is important to minimise this pressure on the caller in conversations at REDEZEIT.

As a listener, at what moments do you look particularly hard for points of contact to help someone who is burdened by the autumn blues or the Christmas season?

Especially when I sense that someone feels very lost, is very worried, is very scared, cannot understand certain things or situations and sees absolutely no way out, then I look for points, topics or statements that I can pick up on with specific questions or by imparting knowledge.

Are there any specific tips or strategies that you give people to help them overcome the autumn blues or get through the Christmas period more peacefully?

Yes, on the one hand I would like to point out that nature also retreats in autumn and prepares for something new and bigger. It can also be the perfect time for us humans to retreat, recharge our batteries, pause and allow something new to emerge.

On the other hand, I also give tips for everyday life. For example:

• Exercise and daylight, because even short walks in daylight lift the mood.

• Create routines, because a regular daily routine gives us security and confidence.

• Do something good for yourself, because small and subtle moments strengthen us immensely.

• Reduce expectations, because even in nature, not everything is perfect.

• Practise gratitude, being thankful for small things creates positive feelings.

Christmas is often referred to as the ‘festival of love’, but at the same time tensions and conflicts in families are on the rise. How do you help people to deal with these conflicts?

Understanding, empathy and compassion when listening are also paramount here. I also invite people to question their own expectations and take on the other person's point of view. I then explain how we humans create our reality and by then, at the latest, the listener realises that both parties are ‘right’ from their point of view and the conflict eases or even resolves itself.

What impact does the darkness and bad weather in autumn have on our mental health? How can small habits help us get through this difficult phase?

Less light and therefore more darkness can reduce the production of happiness hormones, which can result in a depressed mood. But there are many other ways to boost the production of happiness hormones in us. Small habits like:

• Outdoor exercise,

• meeting friends,

• listening to my favourite music,

• dancing,

• Doing something good for someone,

• Meditation and, of course, good thoughts and feelings about great memories can carry us through difficult phases. This is because our brain cannot tell whether we are just thinking about it or whether it is really happening in our lives - it produces happiness hormones in both cases, allowing us to get through difficult phases.

How do you experience autumn and the Christmas season? Do you have certain routines or rituals that help you personally to stay mentally balanced?

For me, autumn is a time for rest and reorganisation - for reflecting on what can go or stay in my life. Walks, a cosy atmosphere at home by the stove and lots of books as well as great conversations with friends make me particularly enjoy this time. In December, I make a point of not having any appointments. So there's plenty of time to take time out and make new plans to stay in balance. And I've got into the habit of only spending time with people and things that are good for me, especially during this time.

What role do platforms like REDEZEIT FÜR DICH play during this time and why is it so important, especially in autumn and around Christmas, that people find a sympathetic ear?

Especially in these difficult times, a small conversation can help to minimise the heaviness and pressure on the caller and develop new perspectives - and that's exactly what a platform like REDEZEIT is needed for. Simply knowing that no one is really alone can work wonders. What's more, every caller can choose the right expert to talk to from such a large selection of couches. It's simply MEGA what REDEZEIT has put together here. I could have really used a platform like this 20 years ago when I personally was in such a bad way. That's why I think it's simply brilliant to be part of this great platform today.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the initiators of Redezeit and to ALL CALLERS for their COURAGE in using this platform for themselves and for giving us their TRUST and showing themselves to us so HONESTLY and OPENLY. Thank you for the great conversations I have already had with such wonderful people.