Going back to school or the office can come with mixed emotions. The weather is starting to get cooler but it’s still nice enough that it’s hard to spend all day indoors. At the same time, the start of a new season can be exciting and September is a time when lots of people are getting back into a regular routine and new projects can take off.
But with all this change can also come a lot of stress and mental health challenges. Deadlines, packed schedules, less free time, and less daylight can be hard to adjust to. You can read more about “Stresstember” here.
Plus, all those issues you have been ignoring all summer come roaring back. Lots of people feel better when the weather is nice and they have time off but jumping back into the daily grind afterwards can be a shock.
So, here are 3 simple strategies to survive the transitions that come in September.
1. Start journaling. Writing down what you are thinking and feeling not only helps you process what you are experiencing and make sense of it, it can also help you develop awareness of your thought patterns and emotions in your daily life. Awareness is the first step towards change! Here are some ideas for what to write about, if you’re feeling stuck.
2. Stay connected. Busier schedules and less free time doesn’t mean you should stop getting together with friends and family. While it can be more challenging, it’s worth it to try scheduling in some quality time with the people you love. Loneliness and isolation can make any problem worse.
3. Build a routine that works for you. Think about what activities make you feel good and help you feel balanced. Then try to work them into your daily or weekly routine so they don’t get missed. It’s easy to leave these activities for later “when you have time” but if they don’t get scheduled in, they may never happen. Making it a part of your regular routine is the best way to keep up with self-care.
Most importantly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or lost, don’t wait until you can’t cope on your own anymore, be proactive about your mental health and start getting support now! Make this the year that you finally work through those stubborn issues that have been plaguing you for years.
Rachel Ginsberg, MSW, RSW, is a psychotherapist and registered social worker who specializes in helping women in their 20s-30s navigate life transitions related to grief and loss, relationships, family, and work. Find out more here: https://findingchangetherapy.ca/specialized-services/pages/life-transitions-and-grief
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
