“Outwitting my amygdala”
I've been feeling a bit low these last few days for various reasons and my mind always knows that if I can get out for a walk I feel much better. I had a problem though, this morning it was grey and rainy - and I hate getting wet!
Normally when I feel this way I stay indoors in the warm - but end up feeling even more low as a result. Today was different though thanks to a brilliant book I'm reading at the moment.
For most of my life I've experienced low mood towards the end of autumn as light levels fade and damp grey weather persists and I feel this way until days begin to get lighter. Hence when I became aware of a new book, The Gifts of Winter, by psychologist Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald, I knew it was for me. The author has suffered from SAD so knows the territory well. If like me you also struggle during the winter season I highly recommend this book.
Something I read last night immediately changed my perspective. Apparently the amygdala is active when I'm stressed. It doesn't care about future me, it just wants what feels good right now. Thus it makes sense that it encourages me to stay indoors when it's cold and wet and it would also be in favour of me eating lots of biscuits whilst wrapped in a blanket. It's so easy to go along with this part of my brain but thanks to the book I am now aware that if I can just put on my walking boots and don the appropriate clothing for the weather there will be incredible benefits for my mood soon after leaving the house. As lunch began to beckon I fought the inclination to stay indoors and gamely set off for the country park. After about 10 minutes or maybe less I was enjoying my walk.
The photo is of my favourite tree in the country park. You might just make out a figure in the distance? After I'd taken the photo the young man caught up with me and apologised if he'd ruined it. I told him he hadn't and mentioned that this was my favourite tree. I expected him to maybe nod and continue on his way but instead he asked me why it was my favourite. Such a pleasant surprise and I told him that I love that it's clearly very old, has lost limbs but still is home to all manner of creatures, I love the texture of the bark and how it twists to wrap round the branches. I could have gone on.
The best part was that he seemed genuinely interested. "Enjoy the rest of your day", he said, "You too", I replied, walking on with a definite spring in my step. My amygdala may have been thwarted, but several hours later I know I did the right thing for my mood.
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29th October, 2025