Take our advice and get rid of fall melancholy
Autumn is a special time of year. Of course it indicates the end of summer, but fall also has its own magic of gloomy skies and golden leaves. However, with all its beauty and mystique, it is also associated with melancholy, which arrives when summer is gone and the chill of winter threatens to settle in. Of course it affects us all in different ways, but some of us more than others. As we begin to feel the cold bite in the air in the mornings and evening, and the days grow shorter and darker, it may have a depressing effect on us. Depending on a person’s psychological peculiarities, as fall turns into winter, a person can grow lethargic and despondent for lack of sunshine. The turning back of the clocks can mark the beginning of months of misery for people who feel the effects of the “autumn blues,” as they find it increasingly difficult to function during the darker months.
It’s a widely known fact that lots of people are subject to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that occurs in the autumn and winter months. A lot of us get caught up in our careers, working long hours in office buildings without access to sunny windows. The effects of this disorder are very diverse, ranging from a general lack of energy, irritability and sleepiness to unwillingness to socialize, and may even lead to considerable increases in weight due to overeating. Some specialists suggest that if you want to defeat SAD you should take special drugs such as antidepressants, which might even produce some negative side effects. Instead of pills, we suggest some fun and healthy options to make you feel happy and enjoy autumn just as much as you enjoy spring and summer.
Hot chocolate fix
Bad moods that develop into depression can be explained as a result of a lack of the “happiness hormones” produced in our brain. Endorphins usually combine with our body’s opiate receptors, working together to ease the nerve impulse passage that runs to the “pleasure center.” Stimulation of this nerve center brings us feelings of lightness, joy and vivacity. Luckily, there are ways to produce your own “happiness hormones” in case you lack them.
It has been proved that carbohydrates top the list of foods used for the stimulation production of “happiness hormones.” Eating chocolate affects our mood especially strongly because it affects the central nervous system, increases relaxation and produces a feeling of euphoria – just like love. Chocolate – especially the dark kind – is rich in healthy antioxidants. So, instead of rushing home after a tiresome workday, get together with friends at a cozy cafe and treat yourself to one of the best remedies against autumn’s gloomy weather – steaming hot chocolate. A cup of hot chocolate will make you feel more relaxed, thereby reducing stress and anxiety and improving your mood. In Kyiv there are a handful of places that serve up really delicious, hot, molten chocolate. Mokko and Nouvelle, which are located right across from each other in Passazh on Khreshchatyk, boast stylish interiors and a good selection of chocolate candies and hot chocolate. The Citi cafe was already awarded for having the best hot chocolate in town by the Kyiv Post, and indeed it serves eight kinds of the sweet drink – with ice cream, vanilla syrup, nuts, caramel and other ingredients. Another good choice for hot chocolate in Kyiv is Coffee Time. They add cognac or whisky to the cup of chocolate, which creates a warming and soothing effect. And that’s exactly what is needed for slushy and drizzling weather.
Nouvelle (15/4 Khreshchatyk (Passazh), 279-5761)
Mokko (15 Khreshchatyk (Passazh), 230-9230)
CiTi (7/11 Khreshchatyk)
CoffeE Bar (32A Esplanadna, 451-4042)
Coffee Time (4 Chervonoarmiyska, 235-3245)
Coffeeum (48 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho, 585-4697)
Coffee House(24, Lesi Ukrainky, 284-2549)
Relaxing hookah
Alternatively, hookahs are a great way to relax with friends. Hookahs have become very popular and are now available at almost any club or bar. And it comes especially handy in the autumn, when, after tiring of all the noisy partying you did in the summer, all you want is to lie down on a soft comfy sofa, enveloped by the ambient atmosphere provided by low lighting, and comfortable, intimate seating. Meditating and inhaling smoke from a hookah will help you forget about your daily routine. You can do it alone, but of course it would be much more enjoyable to do it in a company of friends. Most local Hookah bars in Kyiv offer potent flavors ranging from a fruity strawberry to a luxurious jasmine or rose. If you are feeling adventurous, exotic flavors such as pina colada are offered, or you could just settle with a soothing cappuccino. Typically, one hookah can be shared between two people, but single smokers are welcome.
Chocolate (39-41 Shota Rustaveli, 289-0194)
Fiesta (115 Gorkogo, 529-4029)
Safran (3 Vorovskoho, 569-1010)
Habibi (2 Prorisna, 246-4125)
Cafe Del Mar (11 Kostyolna, 278 0463)
La-Le (14 Sofiyivska, 278- 7566)
Marrakesh (24 Sahaydachnoho, 494-0494)
Color your life
Another way to cheer yourself up is to surround yourself with colorful things that please your eyes. It’s directly connected with the effect produced by bright sunlight. For this reason people are less likely to be depressed during the summer, when all the colors appear vivid and there is a lot of yellow light. So seeing and feeling bright lighting, even if artificial, makes your body recall sunny days and “recharge” like a battery. So make sure you create bright lighting at your workplace and at home.
A solarium is also a wonderful way to recharge yourself. Your metabolism is stimulated, your skin is taken care of, and your fitness is improved. Besides, by taking a sunbath you will also stimulate the production of the important D vitamin.
Also, if you’re serious about relaxation and rejuvenation, consider the many benefits and advantages of a sauna, which, simply enough, is a very pleasant experience. There is no special advice as to how best to use a sauna. Above all, you should be in good company, so that you can enjoy the experience in peace. The hot air stimulates blood circulation, which in turn invigorates the muscles and other vital body organs.
Dancing and yoga
If your work is connected with monotonous repetition of the same actions and excludes communication with people, then work may drive you into depression. Dancing lessons would relieve you of depression in the best way – here you get activity, positive emotions, communication with other people, and music. Besides improving your appearance and poise, dancing lessons can enhance your overall physique. Moving to music appeals to our basic instincts and stimulates sight, sound and touch. Dancing can lift your mood and reduce the risk of depression.
Moving rhythmically eases muscular rigidity, reduces anxiety and increases energy. And just simply listening to music can cut stress and improve movement. Latin dances are the latest thing among night clubs in Kyiv. Latin dances are considered to be very sexy and give you tons of energy. Try belly-dancing, which restores blood circulation and regulates the female hormonal system. Yoga helps to restore soul balance, get rid of anxiety, irritation. Yoga combined with acupuncture can help you relieve stress and tension, boost your immune system, release muscular pain, balance your body’s vital life force, and promote physical and emotional health.
El Talisman Kiev Latin Dance Club (19 Chervonoarmiyska, (067)964-6428)
Maydan (19 Chervonoarmiyska, 287-6605)
Salsa Club (57 Volodymyrska, room No. 105, (097) 862-2139 )
Tango School (15/12 Pylypa Orlyka, 291-3671)
Caribbean Club (4 Kominterna, 244-4290)
Los Amigos (24/45 Pochaynynska, 417-6164)
PaTiPa (10 Museyniy Provulok, 253-0150)
Yoga
Kiev Yoga Studio (66 Chervonoarmiyska, 289-5898)
Yoga Vasudeva School (Kiev Sport Club, 5 Druzhby Narodiv, 522-8866)
Academy of Fitness (5 Solominska, 248-9002)
Yoga Studio (86G Bozhenko, 239-1927)
Ashtanga Yoga Club (38 Moskovska, 481-3199)
Sing your song
Another original way to entertain yourself, which is just now gaining popularity in this town, is karaoke. Many of us wanted to be a rock star in our childhoods (some of us still do), and karaoke would give you a great opportunity to express yourself, reveal your hidden talents and try yourself in the role of entertainer.
In Kyiv there are restaurants supplied with VIP halls where karaoke is offered, as well as a few karaoke bars. When you get there, just grab a microphone, choose your favorite song and turn into the star of the night. The best way to do it ,of course, is by going to a karaoke bar together with a joyous crowd of your friends or colleagues, and, for instance, arranging a song contest. And it’s doesn’t matter that you may not have the voice of an opera singer – it’s all about the emotions you put into your singing.
Though karaoke mania still hasn’t taken over Kyiv, it seems likely to, since several karaoke bars opened recently: Solo and LyaLyaFa. Japanese restaurant Murakami also opened a karaoke bar this summer, and it’s a popular place for singing parties, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Murakami is provided with a custom built karaoke hall with a proper stage, sound system and all the best modern equipment.
Pleasure Cafe is one of the longest running professional karaoke bars in Kyiv. Karaoke is available here every day in the VIP hall, which will re-open in September after extensive renovations. Karaoke at Sochi is also offered in a separate hall.
Murakami (Naberezhne Shose, berth No. 2, 428-7224)
Pleasure Cafe (3 Sportyvna Ploshcha, 496-4135)
Sochi (44 Shchorsa, 202-0260)
Solo (10 Sofiyivska, 501-9515)
Device Cafe (136 Prospekt Peremohy, 409-2246)
LyaLyaFa (Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska, berth No. 6, 428-7387)
Magic of scents
One of the most popular ways to enhance your psychological state is aromatherapy. Aromatic oils penetrate your skin and spread through the whole body up to the brain, affecting your mood directly. There’re lots of oils that can be used to relieve depression. Here’re some of them: anise, orange, basil, bergamot, marjoram, fir, jasmine, cedar, coriander, lavender, lemon, mandarin, balm, peppermint, rose and rosemary. When you feel down in the dumps, aromatherapy will help uplift your spirits. And if you form a habit of taking baths with aromatic oils every day you will soon forget all about depression. To help beat stress, try jasmine, frankincense, ylang ylang, grapefruit, lavender, sandalwood, geranium, rose, bergamot or mandarin. Many of us feel lonely during autumn and the aroma of rose, clary sage and frankincense oils can help take that negative feeling away. To help yourself become happy, vibrant and full of life, grapefruit, lemon, orange, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang may well do the trick. Just add 3-6 drops of essential oil to the oil burner bowl. Light the candle and get ready to fill your room with aroma. Or you may add three drops of essential oil to your pillow or bedclothes to inhale while sleeping. Aromatherapy essential oils can be bought at any natural retail outlet, but if you want the full benefit of this product, try going to a massage salon. Oils are essential to the process of aromatherapy, and after a long days work, relaxing with aromatherapy essential oils might be just the thing you need to wind down. It’s all natural, and healthy, so don’t be afraid to soak some up, and relax.
World Of Beauty (41/8 Moskovska, office No. 55, Y254-5212)
Spa Studio (10A Heroyiv Stalingradu, building No. 4, 230-8930)
Teatro dell’Aroma (43/2 Predslavinska, 528-3472)
Lush (15 Baseyna, 235-1965)
Bomb Cosmetics (Metrograd)
Stenders (Ukraina shopping center, 1st floor, (068)127-1375)
Harmony of body and mind
To remain in a good mood at all times, surround yourself with good memories: these can be photos, souvenirs, pictures – everything that makes you happy and returns you to a state of joy.
The influence of color on a person’s psychological state was proved long ago. Some colors bring us energy, and others cause a state of anxiety and despair. Look around your apartment, this is the place where you spend a lot time, and its appearance affects you. Try to create an oasis of good mood at your place. Modern Beauty salons provide services at your home and would be ready to offer you many holistic treatments for your well-being. So just stay at home, save time and receive beauty therapy. Some beauty salons offer top-quality beauty services, such as precision haircuts, hair coloring, and hair extensions, at your own home or office. And nothing can be more invigorating than changing your image. The new “you” will easily go through autumn and winter with a smile.
Dessange Salon (49A Volodymyrska, 569-6000)
Beauty Zone (16 Sholudenko, 599-5684)
Chocolate (11 Prosp. Moskovskiy, 569-3456)
De Paris (17A Dmytriyivska, 569-3045)
Green light (1/6 Frolivska, 425-3256)
NK Club (20 Mykhaylivska, 278-3344)
ArkA (30/13 Vorovskoho, 486-7242)
