A new season brings new opportunities. The fall can mean enjoying time in the crisp air, watching scary movies with your family and drinking seasonal lattes every morning. But it can also bring new challenges, such as fall routines.
The shift from summer to fall can come quicker than we realize, especially if you have children who are returning to school. It means that your routines are shifting, which often brings additional stress. You have to think about lunches, who’s doing the school pickup and how many extracurricular activities you can cram in after work. Not to mention the never-ending social events and family gatherings to prepare for.
But the good news is that by being proactive, you can take the steps necessary to improve your mental health, and maintain a positive well-being throughout the rest of the year, even when the fall routines finally kick in.
Read on to learn five ways to take care of your mental health with upcoming fall routines.
Be kind and fair to yourself.
It’s easier said than done, but try to give yourself a break. Fall routines may cause you to put too much on your plate or set unrealistic expectations for what you’re supposed to be doing. But by putting too much pressure on yourself, you may experience mental strain or burnout. You may also feel so overwhelmed that you have a hard time completing the tasks in your routines.
Use positive self-talk and challenge negative thoughts about yourself. Try affirmations like “I’m more than enough.” and “I’m proud of my strengths.”
Do something that makes you happy.
As simple as it sounds, prioritizing what makes you happy can boost your overall quality of life, even when life gets stressful with the fall routines. Be sure that you set aside time in your hectic schedule to decompress and do what brings you joy, or helps you mentally recharge. It can help shift your mindset to better manage stress that comes from the new fall routines.
A few options include:
- Reading
- Gardening
- Writing poetry
- Taking a nature walk
Develop your coping mechanisms.
A coping mechanism refers to a behavior, technique or thought process that helps you manage negative thoughts and emotions, such as sadness, anger, anxiety and frustration.
However, many people don’t learn coping strategies until they’ve been struggling for a while. But by learning what works for you, you’ll have the tools ready when stress from fall routines hits.
Coping mechanisms worth learning include:
- Box breathing
- Reframing your thoughts
- Aerobic exercise
- Mindfulness meditation
Regulate your sleep schedule.
It’s not uncommon for sleep schedules to shift while seasons change, especially when the fall tends to make you tired earlier in the day due to the fewer hours of sunlight. You may also have gotten used to staying up late for summer activities, or sleeping in when your children don’t have school.
But by trying to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night, you’re giving your mind and body a full reset for the next day. Having a regular sleep schedule will help you manage your emotions and handle stressors. Try to start regulating your sleep now by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends.
Plan quality time with loved ones in the fall.
Being with loved ones, and spending quality time with them can improve your mental health, no matter what season it is. But if your children’s schedules become packed in the fall, then prioritizing time with your family is even more important.
Brainstorm fall activities to do with your loved ones in the upcoming months, such as bonfires or apple picking. It gives you things to look forward to, and quality time can also strengthen your relationships for a more positive home environment.
The idea of upcoming fall routines can bring stress and anxiety that impacts your mental health before they even kick in. By taking control of your mental well-being now, you can feel prepared to handle whatever comes your way during the fall season.
If your fall routines cause you anxiety or depression that impacts your overall quality of life, then Lightfully’s four levels of care can help you through the season with comprehensive care that treats your whole person:
- Residential Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Virtual Programs (vPHP and vIOP)
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
