The seasons have changed and sometimes so can your mindset. Although fall can feel so beautiful, cozy, and magical it can also remind those of the winter season ahead. The colder months can be harder to keep your mind healthy and warm. I wanted to help you fall into a healthy mindset this season and prepare you for the less magical feeling months ahead.
I feel like for most people there is nothing better than the bright, warm, and exciting months of spring and summer. For me, however, what spring and summer are to most, are what autumn and winter are to me. Labor Day weekend usually kicks off my excitement for the next six months ahead. Having grown up in Northern Ontario where large amounts of snow were quite enjoyable, there was nothing better than the leaves changing or the first snowfall. I have always loved cooler climates and the seasonal activities that come along with them.
However, with all that being said I too, have experienced a touch of the “winter blues” or just felt like my headspace was a bit foggy. No matter how many PSL’s you have or apple orchards you visit sometimes it can be hard to bounce back from the summer sun you just experienced for the last few months. Especially when days get shorter and the layers you need to wear get longer.
Here are some tips to help you fall into that healthy mindset…
SMALL SIMPLE STEPS
I think this is the most important bit of advice. There are so many other articles and reading material on improving your mental health. When you’re in the middle of a mental funk even the smallest activity can feel like it’s too much to achieve. So think about what makes you feel good and do whatever feels achievable to you. Don’t compare your steps forward to anyone else’s and however big or small they are. Even the tiniest movement forward is the tiniest movement in the right direction.
Maybe you used to love running and how it made you feel but that does not seem attainable right now. Then I suggest a short walk – or maybe in the beginning just sitting outside for 15 minutes of your day. For me when my surroundings are organized and clean I feel more productive and ready to take on another task. You could try organizing your closet or maybe or distancing yourself from social media.
As long as you aren’t comparing your steps to anyone else’s and you are doing what feels good for your OWN mindset than in the words of Damian “You go Glen Coco.” Small steps towards a big healthy mind.
TUNE OUT THE BLUES
MUSIC. MUSIC. MUSIC.
Listening to music is my therapy and can help my mood instantly. You can find me belting out lyrics that are extremely relatable in the car or powering up my waterproof Bluetooth speaker for a morning shower. I have music on constantly and can always find a song to prescribe to the state of my mindset at the time. A lot of the time people will say “this song will make you feel happy” however, to move forward you need to work through an emotion.
If you need to just cry it out and feel sad with Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish, Eric Clapton, Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, or Johnny Cash, etc. Cry it out, get in all of your feels and come through it to the other side.
To get through the winter blues may be your preferred genre is the blues, if so then TURN IT UP.
When you’ve worked through whatever you’re feeling and you want some songs to help you feel light and happy I suggest these…
September – Earth Wind and Fire
Feel the Same Way Too – Rankin Family
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Boot Scootin Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
I Love a Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbit
You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Daryl Hall & John Oates
So Close – NOTD, Felix Jaehn, Captain Cuts, Georgia Ku
Tell Me You Love Me – Galantis
GET CRAFTY
If you are someone who likes to lose yourself within a project and loves to be creative I would suggest crafting. It is something that you sip your coffee too while putting on those songs I suggest above and working at showing your creative side while also conquering a project. When I feel like I’ve accomplished something it helps my headspace and me to continue to want to continue to achieve or accomplish more.
You could try making fall home decor, a Halloween costume, Christmas decorations, or maybe just something pretty to hang on your wall.
GET FRESH AIR
Literally, step outside, and breathe in and out. Go for a walk, do an activity outdoors, or simply step out your front door and take a breath of fresh air. Sometimes we would bundle up just to walk around to the backyard with hot chocolate if it was snowing.
COMMUNICATE
Talk to your people. Communicate with those you feel the most safe and comfortable with. Sometimes talking about how your feeling can be the hardest task of them all. I PROMISE if you find someone you can trust – telling them how you are feeling will make you feel better.
STRETCH
Stretching has only recently become a part of my daily routine and I was amazed at how much it helped. I was too nervous to jump into Yoga right away. I planned to just start with 10 minutes in the morning of basic stretches on my yoga matt. Not only does it help with sitting in an office chair all day but my headspace is always refreshed afterward. There are many helpful youtube videos and suggestions online for some basic stretches.
If you enjoy yoga and do it regularly then I simply suggest continuing to incorporate it into your daily routine.
I hope these tips can you FALL INTO A HEALTHY MINDSET through this season and the one to come.
