Changing like the Colors of the Leaves
Alright, alright, we’ll finally admit that fall is here. Our bodies really have a hard time keeping up with visual cues that seasons are shifting while temperatures can still tip toe their way into the 80s. One thing is for sure - the sun is rising later and setting earlier. Pros: maybe we can sleep in just a tad longer without the sun signaling our sleep cycles to WAKE UP. Cons: we maybe have a 6pm bedtime now, right when the sun goes down.
Our sleep cycles heavily depend on sunlight to regulate themselves. Sleep can be an elusive beast we are constantly trying to tame, especially when there’s anxiety in the mix. For some of us, autumn can be a recipe for sluggishness and malaise based on the intersection of these two things. All of our plant friends and trees are sleeping, and it’s harder to get outside and move our bodies, so we aren’t spending as much time absorbing vitamin D and grounding ourselves. Yikes!
Not only are there bodily impacts from these season changes (hello, our wiring probably wants us to conserve energy and cozy up in the colder months), but once you’ve had enough fall and winter seasons, your brain might start telling you that another tough time of year is coming and preemptively have you feeling blue - even if it’s 70 degrees and sunny. The mind-body connection is so prevalent, and really shines a light on the vicious cycle we can enter into of poor sleep, depression, and not feeling the vibes.
Okay, so now what? For those of us who fight this battle annually, you probably already know that no one has the fix-all for how to improve how we feel in the colder months. We have some ideas, though!
4 Steps to improve how you feel
Be present and embrace mindfulness of the positives of your present moments
Fortunately, this time of year is full of wonderful seasonal events! If you’re not quite there yet, try to remember a time where things felt warm, cozy, funky, or loving during this time of year
Always tune into your sensory experiences (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste), while being mindful of things that can be discomforting or triggering.
Check in with your medical providers about vitamin deficiencies
Many of us are incredibly low in vitamin D already, and being indoors more often only amplifies this need
Sun lamp, anyone?
We tend to gravitate to specific, hearty foods over these months. Sometimes the lack of diversity in our nutrition can throw off our vitamins.
Take this opportunity to make a change, like the leaves changing their colors
What kind of heaviness are you carrying with you that you can shed ahead of your new growth?
How can you honor your boundaries and conserve your own energy?
Can you find something beautiful to appreciate even in times of change?
Balance time spent with others and alone time
Feeling lonely? Maybe try out one of our teen groups, young adult groups, or parent support!
Are you an introvert? Make sure you’re preserving enough time for yourself to just “be”
On the flip side, be intentional about not isolating and spend some time with people who help you feel seen and supported.
We know we’re all feeling autumn fatigue setting in, and don’t mean to add to the homework queue! No pressure. If the mood strikes you, take some of these ideas with you to try out as we all head into crisp autumn evenings with clear skies and twinkling stars above. Give us a call or submit a form online if you're interested in learning more about if we might be the right fit to help out!