By E. Richards
Fall is now here! While it can be an enjoyable season, it can also come with a variety of changes to our bodies and mental health. These changes can include our sleep patterns changing due to sleeping longer hours, but still waking up not feeling fully rested because our eyes are being hit with less ultraviolet rays during the day, our anxiety levels increasing due to the less sunlight we encounter and changes to the way our neurological system functions, becoming dehydrated by drinking less water compared to the amount that we’d be drinking in warmer weather such as summer, and having increased feelings of loneliness due to less interaction with others, shorter days and colder weather. These changes may be a bit concerning, but there are many steps that you can take to stay on top of your mental health and overcome these challenges.
It’s important to remember that YOU come first. Without incorporating self-care in some part of your daily routine, it can be difficult to manage any stress that you may have at the time. Fall is a great time to switch up your self care routine. Here are some tips:
❖ Getting outside and being in nature can be a great way to clear your mind.
❖ Get cozy at home and drink a warm beverage, while watching a movie or reading a book.
❖ Fall can be a good time to catch up and spend time with people that you care about.
❖ Practice meditation to reduce any stress.
❖ Declutter or decorate your home and get yourself into the fall spirit.
❖ Sort your fall clothes so you can find them easily.
❖ Take time to journal down your thoughts and feelings.
❖ Take a break from social media, and bring yourself back into reality.
❖ Experiment with cooking soups and stews.
❖ Listen to a podcast.
❖ Try to keep a positive mindset as much as possible.
Engaging in self-care has also been clinically proven to reduce anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness and improve energy. It has also been proven to reduce problems with physical health such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.
References:
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychological-reason-why-we-love-fall-so-much-5205863
https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-affective-disorde r