Embrace the September Reset: A Millennial’s Guide to Nurturing Your Mental Health
Is it just me, or does summer fly by faster and faster the older you get? Gone are the days when July and August consisted of sitting in the sun, popsicle in hand, waiting for your friends to come over so you could waste away the afternoon talking about which back-to-school outfit you were planning to wear. (Please… tell me I'm not the only one who did this!)
Whelp – now we are adults. Summer consists of sneaking in quick camping trips and a patio chill between work, weddings, out-of-town visitors, and mowing the lawn. We LOVE a good BBQ and afternoon in the sun, but the ability to feel like there's enough time to enjoy it seems fleeting. Unfortunately, my friends, it's time to accept the inevitable change of season… and I'm not just talking about the weather.
September is just around the corner, and you know what that means; it's time to get your head back in the game and prepare for all of the chaos that the final quarter of the year brings! This is the perfect time for a mental health reset. As the leaves change colors and your iced coffee becomes a pumpkin spice latte, it’s time to bundle up in self-care and protect your mental well-being so you can thrive in the coming months!
Learn How to Chill:
When we imagine chilling out in the summer, we picture a laid-back patio chair, a cold drink, and catching some rays. It's no wonder that as the summer ends, we tend to forget the other things that we can do to find our inner Zen. Perhaps it's time to remember what you do to relax during the colder months (are you a reader? A runner? A Netflix aficionado?) Maybe this fall you want to try something different! Some of my favorite ways to chill out during times of stress are catching a Yin Yoga class, cooking one of my favorite meals, or binge-watching an entire mini-series.
It’s Time to Get Cozy:
I promise you that NOBODY does cozy better than a Canadian millennial. It’s time to whip out those thick sweaters, light your favorite scented candles, wrap yourself in your coziest blanket, and sip on your pumpkin-spiced latte (I know… I’ve mentioned them twice. I can’t help that I’m excited!). Creating your perfect cozy zone is an amazing way to invite your brain to release serotonin, making you feel happy and energized for the days to come!
Find Your Flow State:
Millennials are ALL about experiences, and nothing says "living in the moment" like finding your flow state. (I bet right now you’re saying, “What the heck is a flow state?!”) We achieve a flow state when we engage in an activity that requires a high level of concentration but happens so naturally that you almost lose track of time. These activities are effortless, thoughtless, and highly rewarding! Whether it's painting, cooking, or even attempting to play the ukulele, immerse yourself in an activity that makes you lose track of time. We can put a lot of pressure on ourselves in the fall to focus on what we want to accomplish by the end of the year, and finding a flow state is like a mini-vacation for your mind!
Get Outside:
So yes, I know it's not a billion degrees anymore and 10+ Celsius feels like winter… but y’all, we ALL know that the worst is yet to come! It's not too late to get outside and enjoy the fresh air before we head into the deep winter months – further, it's so important to maximize the time you spend outside while we can to prevent seasonal affective disorder later in the year. Try to get out for an evening walk in your cozy jacket or sit outside wrapped in your favorite blanket! (If you haven’t tried napping outside on a fall day in a super thick blanket… you are missing out!)
Declutter Your Digital Space:
We all know that your camera roll is full of thousands of random pictures from the summer, your email is a mixture of messages “you'll get back to” and spam you forgot to delete. The fact of the matter is that a cluttered space invites a cluttered mind. Fall is a time of elevated productivity, and you're going to be using your devices daily to work towards your goals. Make sure to clean up your digital space and make your work environment feel fresh!
I’m Sorry, But We HAVE to Talk About Boundaries:
Here's the deal: your mental well-being comes first, and you're not sorry about it. The best time to get clear on your needs, desires, and expectations is when you are in a state of calm, not a state of burnout. What is going to be a source of stress over the coming months? How is your boss going to expect you to act? Does your family expect you to come home for both Thanksgiving AND Christmas? Before stuff hits the fan, get very clear with yourself on what you want to do and how you're going to stick to it. Protect yourself!
Although we are waving goodbye to summer bliss, we're saying hello to the transformative energy of fall! Embrace the September reset and remember that you have the power to maintain your summer joy. You got this!