Getting Mental Health in Check for the Fall
By Brandi Goodman
Your mental health is often at a high in the summertime. You're able to get out and enjoy time in the sun. You can spend time with friends. You may have vacation time. The fall season is when it starts to go wrong for many people. Seasonal Affective Disorder can start to set in. It's important to get mental health in check for the fall so you can continue to keep your stress levels low.
Maintain Your Exercise Routine
Though your routine may need to change slightly, you still need to be maintaining one. The physical activity you were getting while you were out and about during the summer helped with mental well-being. Exercise releases endorphins that can help you feel good and keep stress off your mind. It's important to continue to find ways to work out and receive the benefits to your mind and body.
Find Time for the Outdoors
Even on cold weather and rainy days, you should still find time to get outdoors. You'll just have to bundle up or bring an umbrella. Being outside can be great for your mental health. Taking a walk through park paths can especially help. You get to exercise which releases the feel-good hormones while also taking in the beauty of nature around you. It can help you clear your mind and feel like you're part of something wonderful.
Continue Healthy Eating Habits
You may have found yourself consuming more fruits and vegetables in the summer when they were in season. Corn on the cob, watermelon, grapes, and other options are often found at cookouts, after all. You need to continue these healthy eating habits and make sure you're still getting plenty of fruit and veggies in your diet if you hope to maintain your mental health. Overeating and indulging in the fall treats and holiday snacks that start to fill store shelves can quickly have you feeling down as you gain weight and feel bad because of it.
Don't Let the Holiday Pressure Get You Down
There's often pressure put on people to go all out for the holidays. You see the decorations, gift suggestions, and ads at every store and even online. Don't let the holiday pressure get you down. You don't have to go big and burden yourself with financial stress. Only do what's in your budget, and what's within your mental capacity to handle.
Your mental health can start to decline in the fall. Do what you can to prevent this from happening. If you attempt to keep your mental well-being in check and still feel as though you're failing, it's important to speak with a counselor who can help you find some alternative solutions. Always ask for help when you're struggling.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Evans, Ga.