Autumn typically makes us think of many things: pumpkins, fall foliage, apple-picking, hayrides, and colder temperatures. While there are many themes that come up when fall comes to mind, mental health is typically not one of them. However, as we enter a new season, there are a lot of lessons the seasonal change can provide, with regard to overall wellness. 

Here are a few lessons from the transition of fall that can support overall wellbeing:

Embrace and Accept Transitions

As the seasons change we notice changes, usually in the weather. So how can we take this transitional period and incorporate it into recognizing these transitions in our personal lives? Often we find ourselves experiencing negative emotions such as grief, loss, sadness, or anger when experiencing some challenging transitions. However, fostering a sense of resiliency and acceptance can alleviate those negative emotions, and lead to a different way of viewing change, maybe even similar to how we view seasonal change. The transition to autumn also highlights the positives and negatives of changes and that we can feel both. We might love pumpkin spice lattes but dislike the colder temperatures, however, we know the colder temperatures eventually lead to growth and blooming in the spring again. Similarly, we may feel stress as we enter a new job or school year, but recognize the excitement of new opportunities and experiences. 

Re-establish and Re-invest in Relationships

Autumn is a great time to rekindle relationships due to the activities we experience together. Outside of Halloween and Thanksgiving, you may have a family tradition of apple picking, or attending some kind of fall festival. You may have an annual “Friendsgiving” that you are excited to plan. Our emotional well-being is directly correlated to our social relationships. It is important we have positive memories associated with relationships, as well as close bonds to others we can rely on when needed. Having these exciting, social events planned, can help you get through difficult times, knowing you have these positive experiences to look forward to. Hey, maybe it’s time to plan a new fall tradition with family and/or friends and celebrate something new.

Utilize Mindfulness Each Day

While the geographic location may shift this, autumn brings colder temperatures, which many may enjoy as opposed to the summer heat. It’s the perfect temperature to get outside! Djernis and colleagues (2019) found that mindfulness in natural settings (particularly the great outdoors) is more beneficial to overall wellness than mindfulness practiced in manmade settings (like inside our homes). When we practice mindfulness we let go of events in the past and moments in the future that might worry or bother us. 

Enter autumn with a quick mindfulness activity, outdoors, to support overall emotional wellbeing:

• Find a peaceful spot outside and notice what is around you such as the colors of the trees/leaves, rock formations, and other plants.

• Listen to what is around you such as the sounds of rustling leaves or dogs barking. 

• Notice what you feel such as the wind against you, your breathing patterns, how the ground feels under your feel.

• Notice these until you feel at peace and ready to return to your day.

For more support around navigating and embracing changes, click here.