Easy Ways to Reduce Stress During Fall
When the fall season approaches you might be stressed about the change in your schedule because of school starting, or the transition from hot to cold could be taking a toll on your health. Regardless of how you enter the season, fall is a great time to get yourself organized. By implementing a few new habits into your daily routine you can improve your physical, mental and emotional health. Here are a few easy ways to reduce stress this fall before the holidays start to take over your life!
Focus on Getting Better Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is a very underrated habit but one that should always be at the top of your to-do list. Sleep can reduce your stress, help with anxiety, and even boost your productivity. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try melatonin or using an essential oil diffuser at night. Take a bath before bedtime with a few drops of lavender oil to relax, or read a book instead of watching TV. Keep your phone turned off if you can, as this will help keep you from being up later than you should.
Switch to Warm Drinks in the Morning
During summer we tend to drink lots of water because of the heat, but once fall arrives we often choose warmer drinks instead. Drinking coffee all day can be tough on your body. Opt for herbal teas instead to keep your water intake up. Plus, many herbal teas have additional health benefits depending on the ingredients. You can also drink hot water poured over lemon slices. I like to add sliced ginger root and some honey to my lemon water as well.
Write in a Journal
To improve your productivity and find more clarity in your life, consider using a journal in the morning. You can set your alarm for about 30 minutes earlier than normal so that you have enough time to begin writing. Journaling doesn’t have to take place in the morning, it can easily be added to any daily routine and can be utilized at any time of the day. If you are new to journaling, you can read this journaling basics series for information on how to get started and deciding what to write about.
Practice Hygge
Hygge is the Danish practice of being cozy, comfortable, and relaxed. Doesn’t that sound amazing? You spend time just winding down and enjoying your spare time, instead of constantly running around and keeping busy. You can use your daily planner to fit hygge in your days, and add it to your daily routine. This can also be considered a great way to practice self-care each day.
Add in Regular Exercise
Regular, daily exercise is an important part of staying healthy. Even if your workout routine only lasts 20-30 minutes, it can still be beneficial. You can start something you haven’t done before, like yoga in the morning or hiking over the weekend, or pick up an old activity you haven’t participated in for a while. A bonus during fall is that the cooler weather brings many more opportunities to take your workout outdoors!
Start Using a Daily Planner
Now is a great time to organize your goals and daily tasks, and make a schedule that shows exactly what to do and when. We all know how stressful it can be to forget about an event and then have to scramble to get everything together. Having your day, week or month planned out can be a huge help. You can also jot down a grocery list or ideas for family activities. Get yourself organized before the holidays, you’ll be so thankful you did!
Declutter Everything
Think of the fall season as the second spring of the year, and use this as an opportunity to declutter your home. Take a little time to clean your home and really declutter your workspace, bedrooms, and living areas. Clutter can create a chaotic and stress-induced mindset, which is the last thing you want.
Switch Up Your Daily Routine
If you want less stress during this season, it helps to refocus your daily routine and make some changes appropriate for the time of year. Think about all of the things you do each day. Is there anything you can add or remove to make your daily routine smoother? Maybe you were walking in the morning because of the summer heat, but now that it’s cooler you can walk in the evening and garden in the morning instead.
Plan Some Fun Activities
There are lots of fun things to do during fall! When planning some fun activities for your family or with friends, think about fun and relaxing activities like going apple picking, enjoying a local fall festival with your family, or having a girl’s night with friends. For more ideas, you can check out this Fall Bucket List with 20+ family-friendly ideas.
