Getting Into A Fall Routine
With the delta variant upending our brief return to normalcy, this fall sure does feel just like the last one! We are going back to school with masks and safety precautions, moving into dorms with fewer students and less in person activities, and restarting fall sports/classes/activities with a general “different” vibe. Different from normal - but quite similar to how we’ve been living during the past 18 months of COVID. Are we used to this?? Hopefully not because it’s pretty terrible! But humans are a wonderfully resilient bunch and so we carry on. Here we go, into the fall season of 2021….
For many of us, the shift to the fall season allows for a natural change in routine. For parents, kids are going back to school. That usually means parents will try to resume their own hobbies, catch up with friends, etc. For high school and college/grad students, it’s back to class, clubs, activities, and time with peers. For others, it might look like less travel, less dining out, more time at home or with self, or resuming old activities. Most of us feel a change in the air come autumn.
Here are some tips from our RI therapists to embrace the transition from summer to fall and to make the most of this natural change in energy:
If you’re a parent, get those kids to school and find something that you enjoy! If you’re a working parent, find a new podcast, audiobook, or band to listen to on your commute. If you’re working from home, start a new morning routine after the kids leave (mini meditation, stretching, new comfy pants, new coffee mug, different brand of tea, whatever works). If you’re a stay at home parent, try out a new fitness class, find a walking buddy, or organize your home that has surely been ransacked by the kids all summer!
Set aside time to fill out all the new school forms and reacclimate to back to school. Some kids have not been in person at school since early 2020 - it might take a bit to adjust! That’s ok. Be mindful of this and make time to process these adjustments.
If you’re a student - try out a new club or sport, find some new friends to have lunch with, create a new homework routine or location, try out a new planner to help stay organized.
Take a look at your morning routine - add in some steps that will be visibly pleasing and make you feel productive. Maybe play a quick Calm or Headspace app meditation while you lay in bed before getting up, rather than mindlessly scrolling. Make your bed and do a quick 10 minute tidy up. Text some people that you care about “good morning” and feel great about being a bright spot in their day. Make a to-do list as you get started with your day!
Do the same for your evening routine - make a set bedtime and try to stick to it! Put your phone down for a bit before trying to fall asleep. Keep the room at a cool, comfortable temperature and read or journal before bed instead of watching TV.
Think about the things that you love about fall and make plans to do them, either alone or with friends - apple picking, pumpkin painting, hayrides, corn mazes, Halloween events...fall is fun!!
Take a look at your fitness routine - if you’re already bored, mix it up. If you know what you like, put it in your calendar and start with a mini goal. Once a week is a great place to start and you can build on your progress as you go!
How are you feeding yourself and/or your family?? Do you want to go out to eat less and cook more? Do you want to join a meal delivery service? Do you want to try meal prepping? There are plenty of great blogs to follow or inspirational Instagram and TikTok accounts that can help inspire you to make changes with how you want to be eating.
Think about your self-care practices - what needs work? Can you schedule more regular time to be alone, to take care of your physical body, to see more friends if that makes you happy....take some time to journal about what makes you feel joyful and find a way to make time for regular self-care practice so you can be the best version of YOU:)
