Although each new season symbolizes the need for change and new beginnings, fall is one of the most convenient times to initiate new goals and aspirations.
Although each new season symbolizes the need for change and new beginnings, fall is one of the most convenient times to initiate new goals and aspirations.
· For working parents, this is the time when kids go back to school, leaving additional time that could be spent on re-setting and re-focusing.
· From Friday, 1 September 2023 to Sunday, 31 December 2023, there are 121 days. It means you have 121 days to evaluate your progress to date to know what worked well, what didn’t and how you can improve.
· With the weather getting colder and nights getting longer, there is less distraction and less disruption that allows you to focus on indoor tasks and activities. You will find yourself naturally drawn to hobbies like cooking, reading and self-care that boosts your health and well-being.
Fall can be a season of feeling mixed emotions: In one way, we feel excited for new beginnings with the new year approaching fast. The prospects of setting fresh goals fill us with anticipation and a sense of renewal. In another way, we can’t help but feeling sad that another year is coming to an end, with a lot in mind: things we started but never finished, or things that we meant to start but never really got to them.
Why not embrace the change of seasons and introduce some healthy habits?
Here are eight practical tips to start building new healthy habits this fall:
1. Go to Bed Early
Implementing a strict bedtime routine can be life-changing for some people. If it is difficult for you to go to sleep early, make small changes every night to gradually build this habit into your routine. For example, decide to go to bed a few minutes earlier each night until you reach your early bedtime goal. Avoiding screen time and caffeinated drinks close to sleep time can help ensure you get the rest you need to be able to wake up earlier.
2. Get Up Early
Getting up early is one of the habits that most successful leaders share and is tightly linked to your “Go-to-Bed-Early” practice. A sunrise alarm clock can help you ease out of your slumber, if you have a hard time waking up in the morning.
3. Clean Up Any Clutter
One of the best techniques to reduce anxiety is to clean up your space. By cleaning and organizing your space, you create a more relaxing environment where you are able to focus better. Spending 10 minutes to clean up your desk is an effective way to end your day on a positive note. It also makes the start of your next day a more pleasant one.
4. Eat a Heart-Healthy Breakfast
Make your first meal of the day count. Set aside at least 10-15 minutes to enjoy a protein/brain power packed breakfast.
5. Start a "Morning Pages" or "Gratitude" Journal
The technique of writing morning pages comes from the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Morning pages are the practice of conscious journaling first thing in the morning. The idea is to write 3 pages of uncensored thoughts to clarify, prioritize, synchronize and comfort the day ahead. Morning pages have helped a lot of people set goals, reduce anxiety and manage stress.
A gratitude journal is another great way to increase your awareness of positive emotions. Writing 3 things you are grateful for on a daily basis has proven to improve mental health, lower stress and increase happiness. Write when it works best for you: first thing in the morning, after lunch or before going to bed.
6. Read 10 Pages a Day
Get your daily dose of reading to build a habit that enriches your mind, strengthens your memory, and enhances your focus. Taking a few minutes a day to read 10 pages of a book you like adds up to 3650 pages a year. Compare that with the 5 hours a day that an average person spends mindlessly browsing on social media or watching TV.
Try reading before going to sleep to significantly multiply the benefits of reading. Not only reading before bed helps increase melatonin production by relaxing the body and relieving the thoughts that keep you awake, but it also makes you tired and promotes a better quality sleep.
7. Eat Seasonal Food
Fall is synonymous with prosperity and abundance as it represents the harvest time of the year. One of the easiest ways to get into fall spirit is to reach out for the seasonal fruits and vegetables. Food consumed during its appropriate season is naturally the most nutrient dense and flavorful. Financially speaking, in-season foods are available at lower prices.
Some examples of produce more abundant during fall include:
- Vegetables: carrot, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato and spinach
- Fruit: pomegranate, cranberries, apples and pears
- Herbs and spices: cinnamon, turmeric and ginger
8. Build a Spiritual Practice
This one might be the most important and impactful habit you can establish: Your connection to your highest self. Now, spirituality does not always mean religion or prayers. Any practice that helps bring you closer to your truest most authentic self creates that strong link between you and your spirit. Going on nature walks, spending time with friends and family and working on a hobby you love are all examples of spirituality.
Meditation or spending time in silence and quietness have scientifically been proven to be very effective in reducing stress, eliminating negativity and feeling calm. You may feel you are not suited to this type of practice, but it is definitely worth giving it a try. Like any other goal, start with a couple of minutes and gradually increase the amount of time you spend meditating or sitting in silence.