Happy Thursday!
If you’re wondering…How the hell am I going to stay healthy this Fall? You’ve come to the right place. As you know, healthy habits are *everything* when it comes to living a meaningful, fulfilled life, and today’s newsie is all about staying well this Autumn season, with tricks new and old that simply work.
According to a recent New York Times Well article, “Fall Is The Season For Building Mindfulness And Resilience,” changing the clocks in the Fall is associated with depressive episodes — while changing them back in the Spring is not.
As the writer said, “It’s no wonder the season has so many celebrations to attempt to keep our spirits up,” with psychologists confirming the anxious and depressive feelings stemming from our discomfort with change.
And it got me thinking…
If change is inevitable (which it literally always is), why do we act so stunned when the weather gets cooler? Aka when any change in our life happens?
I understand the initial shock of an unexpected change, like an unplanned pregnancy or a speeding ticket. But guys…we know the weather is getting colder. Let’s prepare ourselves for the seasonal changes (read: mental, physical, emotional) that lie ahead instead of dreading them before they’re here, and then complaining about them once they are here.
That said, I give you!….
4 Ways To Keep Your Mental Health Spirits Up During The Fall Season
Summary: Having a functional wardrobe + exercising + reading + socializing = a happy, healthy state of mind. Because when your mind’s right, everything’s right.
First order of business is our wardrobes.
A wise woman once said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” I think about this quote all the time because it is just so smart. Also the quote comes from Sally Rooney, author of the book Normal People, that I became mildly obsessed with because again, it’s just so smart.
For example: If you need a rain jacket but are hesitant to pull the financial trigger, go stand outside the next time it rains in a sweatshirt. You will be so annoyed (not to mention cold and wet) that you will have no choice but to get yourself a rain jacket.
I’m talking to myself here PS. I have been in need of a raincoat since 2014. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new jacket, go to the thrift store or a consignment shop. I can almost guarantee you will find a good one (one that will work for the season, at the very least).
The point: Don’t let the weather dictate how you’re going to operate that day. It is amazing what a functional wardrobe does for your mood. When you are wardrobe ready, you are weather ready. And with the two combined, you are mindset ready to tackle your day.
Second order of business is our exercise habits.
No more of this, “It was too cold to get up and go to my Orange Theory class so I decided to stay in my warm bed” excuse.
We are the sum of the teeny decisions we make every day that either propels our health forward or keeps us stuck in laziness.
If you are someone who says they don’t have time to work out, replace “I don’t have time for that” with “it doesn’t matter,” and see how you feel. If it really doesn’t matter, then fine. If that statement makes you feel sick, then you know it’s important to you.
I learned this trick from peloton sensation Robin Arzòn, who (obviously) prioritizes her workouts before anything else, and I hard agree with her.
Our lives always turn out better when we choose to make our physical health a priority. Deciding to go to your workout class is deciding to be in a good mood instead of a bad one. It’s deciding to respect yourself enough to treat your body right. It’s deciding that you deserve a fit and hot bod.
Third, our consumption of technology.
Fall is notorious for “cozying up with a good book and a cup of coffee.” And for good reason. Nothing feels better than escaping into a world of fiction whilst wrapped in a cashmere blanket. Better yet if you’re alone in that cashmere blanket, sans dirty toddler hands and Sports Center blaring in the background.
Lean into this Fall-Is-For-Reading attitude and replace your nightly Netflix binges with getting lost in a good book. Your brain (and your body) will thank you for it.
To be clear, I’m not knocking television completely. I love a good TV show marathon just as much as the next person. All I’m saying is…Less screen time, more me time. Still need to make that t-shirt.
Fourth, keeping our social lives top of mind.
Covid taught us the true importance of family and friendships. Yet I still don’t think we’re getting it.
Your family is your lifeblood and your friends are your lifeline. Our quality of life DEPENDS on our quality of relationships, and I still think we need reminding. Especially during the Fall and Winter seasons where we are tempted to turn into introversion hermits.
There is a time and a place for alone time, sure. Introverts especially need more alone time to recharge and gain their creativity back. But we can’t forget the health benefits that come from meeting a friend for lunch or going on a walk with a neighbor.
So plan that Fall Party, schedule those date nights, and prioritize human connection. Your health, happiness, and overall enjoyment of life depends on it. And besides, it’s FUN to be in the presence of other humans. Better yet if good wine and good eats are involved.
Thank you for reading!
If you liked this week’s newsie, share it with your friends.
If you loved this week’s newsie, upgrade to a paid subscription, where you will receive access to the full archive, weekly tips on how to be happy, and exclusive discounts on my clothing brand, VALT.
Keep being you.
Xo, Ash
Follow me on IG @ashleyalt_
Follow my clothing brand on IG @valtbrand