October | Shifting into seasonal change | 2024

Because making that seasonal shift from one season to the next, can be hard.

Seasonal change can have significant impact on our mental well being. Do you ever feel like your mood tends to change once the weather starts shifting and parts of the year start changing? Our productivity and mood can change and not feel so on point as it once did in the summer, but that is ok. For anyone feeling like this time of year is more difficult, you’re not alone in that feeling. There are helpful strategies and ways to prepare for this particular time year.

I always like to take a moment and want to note that talking to a therapist during this time, is a great option and can truly be helpful. Talking with a trained professional can provide the tools and resources that can benefit your mental health and also your mind and body. There is a great website called: Psychology Today, that provides a search option to find a therapist in your area, that can work directly with you in person and online. Having a safe space to speak with someone is always a beneficial option.

If you’re someone that tends to feel low during seasonal change each year, but has learned strategies to move through winter a little easier each time, then this post will hopefully resinate with you. Our lives tend to pick up and get very busy right once October 1st hits. I know you know the feeling … right?! Halloween suddenly appears and then every where you look, Christmas decor starts making its way right to the store shelves. It’s almost as though you blink and the holiday seasons are upon you all at once. Don’t get me wrong I love the holidays, but depending on what is going on during that time of year and (let’s face it, it is usually alot) … it just all gets so overwhelming so quickly.

Knowing what you know already about yourself and incorporating new helpful tips into this upcoming fall season, can really make this fall adjustment a little bit easier for you and your mental health. 

• Tip #1 – Make sleep and movement a priority 🛌 💤 🏃‍♀️
  • Making sure you start a night-sleeping routine can help you feel more rested the next day.
  • Changing out your pillow can even make sleeping feel better during the season.
  • Washing your bed sheets every week, can help you fall asleep a bit easier at night.
  • Get in the habit of dimming your bedroom lights starting at 8pm, that way you signal a response to your body that says, “It’s time to start winding down for bed.”
• Consider adding in calming & still active workouts like: Restorative & Yin Yoga 🪷🧘🧘‍♀️🪷
  • These 2 types of yoga are excellent for the winter months.
  • 🧘‍♀️ Restorative Yoga: is a quieting and supportive form of yoga that uses the practice of props such as: bolsters, blankets and blocks, in order to nourish the body, muscles and mind.
  • 🧘‍♀️ Restorative Yoga is a great therapeutic practice that receives, pain, tension and stress within the body.
  • 🧘‍♀️ Yin Yoga: is a yoga practice that although seems quiet, is still active in the practice of holding certain poses for extended periods of time, while working the deep connective tissues and fascia networks of the body.
    • This type of yoga practice releases fascia and can bring more balance to the bodies organs through meridian stimulation.

• Tip # 2 – Eat to fuel and nourish your body 🍴🥗 🍓
  • Avoid heavy meals at night, especially after 8pm.
  • Avoid coffee, caffeinated drinks, sugar and alcohol before bed / night.
  • Avoid: artificial sweeteners and added sugars in coffee
  • Do: Incorporate foods with Omega-3 fatty acids and foods that you know your body responds well to, in the winter months.
    • 🍽️ Example: salads, salmon, Mediterranean meals, quinoa, lentils, blueberries, greek yogurt, walnuts, sardines, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, lean poultry & lean red meats, legumes, Brazil nuts, avocados, and hummus, just to name a few.

• Tip # 3 Prioritize your connection with others 💁🏻‍♀️👸🏼🦸‍♀️
  • Set your own personal boundaries with yourself so you know who you want to spend time with and who you want to be around during the fall season.
  • Having strong connections in the winter months with those who fill your cup UP and make you feel GOOD, is such a beneficial component during the winter months.
  • Remember everyone copes with stress and overwhelm differently, but being able to reach out to a friend when you are in a place of need is a gift 🎁 and doing to same for someone else can be equally just as valuable.

Life can be great, it can be tricky and it can also be very hard, believe me I get it. Remember to give yourself grace and compassion in the moments that you need them. xoxo!