When summer starts winding down and fall arrives, you might go through a lot of different emotions and changes. People are often confused when suddenly they feel lethargic, depressed, and have worsened anxiety. This is known as seasonal anxiety, very similar to seasonal affective disorder.
One thing that can help a lot during this time is to switch up your routine in a productive, healthy, and fun way that helps you enjoy your life and the season.
Why Change Your Routine?
Let’s first go over the reasons why you might want to change your routine, or start a daily routine during the fall if this will be your first time. Everyone already has a daily routine, whether they realize it or not.
You probably do the same things in the morning when your alarm goes up, whether that be getting up and making coffee, or rather, pressing Snooze a few times.
The daily routine in the summer is probably much different than in the fall, when vacations are over, kids are back to school, and many businesses shift their hours and schedules to accommodate the holiday season.
Switching up your routine not only helps you stay productive as summer turns into fall, but it can help you better embrace this season and hopefully settle your anxiety a bit.
Embrace Fall Instead of Dreading It
Speaking of embracing fall, that is going to help a lot with your seasonal anxiety. Yes, it can be hard on your mental health with drastic changes in weather, the amount of light you are exposed to, and your schedule in general.
But by focusing on a new daily routine, you can actually add activities that you LOVE about fall and winter, which make all the difference.
To embrace fall, remember to add in some activities each day that remind you of the things you LOVE about the season. This might mean some spiced chai tea in the morning, going apple picking over the weekend with your kids, or writing in a fall-themed journal every day.
Add in Healthy Habits to Reduce Anxiety
To start with your new fall routine, try to choose some healthy habits that will get your body and your mind ready for the season. Anxiety can be rough on your mental and physical state, but there are many healthy remedies to relieve some of the anxiousness.
Here are some healthy habits to consider adding to your routine, all of which can be great for your anxiety:
- Gentle exercise each day. Exercise doesn’t have to feel like punishment! It is great for your heart health, muscles, and yes, your mental health. Release those endorphins and reduce anxiety just by adding a small amount of exercise to your day.
- Reducing your caffeine consumption. Caffeine is a stimulant, and can make your anxiety worse, and even lead to panic attacks. If you struggle with anxiety, it is a good idea to reduce the caffeine you consume in a day.
- Enjoying a balanced diet. A lot of people have noticed that a poor diet exacerbates their anxiety. This is a great time to add more nutrients to your favorite meals for a better balance of vitamins and minerals.
