Transition to Fall with a Summer Mindset

Transitions are a normal part of life but they can take a toll on some of us. Sometimes simple paradigm changes can help us coast through changes in a healthy way to keep anxiety and stress at bay. This time of year, the transition from long and warm summer days to shorter and darker hours of fall can leave some of us feeling gloomy for no reason at all. Carrying the high-spirited joy of hot summer days into the fall can, in fact, invigorate some of us. Here are some tips to help you transition to fall with a playful summer mindset.

Outdoor Activities

Don’t let the shorter hours of daylight deter you from outdoor play. In the early days of fall, the outdoor temperatures will still allow you to stargaze during evening walks, enjoy picnics with warm apple cider, or nighttime games like flashlight tag. Getting kids outside after dinner can be a great way to get fresh air and expend energy for a good night’s sleep.

New Hobbies

Cooler temperatures will have many of us spending time indoors. But this can also be the perfect time to explore your creativity and playfulness with a new hobby. Painting, crafting, cooking, clay moulding, or learning to play a musical instrument can easily be done indoors and online. Making it a date night, or an event for the whole family to enjoy will help motivate you to get it going.

Playfulness

Purposefully bringing playfulness into your day can help you get into the same mindset as kids on a playground. This energy can be contagious and finding moments to engage with play in your daily life can help shake off tension and anxiety. You can do this with upbeat music, dancing while cooking, telling jokes, learning magic tricks, or surprising loved ones with unexpected acts of kindness.

Seasonal Cuisine

The Canadian fall season arrives with its own unique flavours and it is the perfect time to indulge in cuisine. Enjoying fresh apple cider, pumpkin-spiced lattes and warm peach pies is par for the course. But you can also visit farmers’ markets to buy fresh fruits and produce in bulk for a Sunday afternoon of making jam, pasta sauces, and canning so you can enjoy these seasonal delights for many more months.

Friends and Family

What could be more fun than a themed Halloween party in October? Or how about a group visit to a local farm for a good old hay ride, getting lost in a corn maze, or pumpkin picking? And if all of that is too much work, then you could simply have a movie night with sleeping bags, popcorn, and apple cider. The bottom line here is not to forget socializing in the fall and staying connected with your friends, family and loved ones.

Physical Activity

What is good for your body is also good for your mind. Remaining active will help you maintain a playful mindset. Yoga, swimming, gym workouts, dancing, indoor trampoline parks, and more will help you to keep your body and mind active.

Curiosity

The mindset of young children demonstrates how much fun curiosity can be. Maintaining curiosity through lifelong learning will encourage you to explore new places, visit museums and art galleries, try new foods, or delve into books that pique your interest to keep life joyful.

Redecorating

Since you may be spending more time indoors, the transition from summer to fall could be a good time to redecorate your home to make your living space cozy and inviting. Introducing warm lighting, soft blankets, calming colours, and scents will encourage relaxation and comfort.

Mini-Adventures

Fall is a wonderful time to breathe in fresh air during a hike in a local ravine, partake in fall harvest festivals in charming small towns, drive out of town for Instagram-worthy photographs, and show your fan spirit at epic sports games.

Laughter as Medicine

One of the simplest things anyone can do to foster a playful mindset is to laugh often. Watching a funny movie, live comedy show, or spending time with people you can laugh with will help keep your spirit playful and happy. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of the internet is its ability to connect you globally to people with common interests. You can now intentionally schedule laughter into your life by joining an online laughter club!

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help you stay present and cultivate a sense of wonder and playfulness in everyday moments.

Reflect on Summer

Take time to reflect on your summer memories and capture the essence of those moments. Share stories, create a scrapbook, or change up the photos on your mantle to ensure your summer spirit remains alive and close to you.

Seek Help

Playfulness is a mindset that you can carry with you anywhere, and through any season. But even with the best of intentions, the transition into fall and winter can be a challenge for some of us in the northern hemisphere. Seasonal change from summer to fall and winter brings shorter hours of daylight and cooler temperatures which causes some Canadians to succumb to Seasonal Affective Disorder, also referred to as S.A.D., which is a specific type of depression. You can check in on your mental health and reach out to a physician or a trained medical professional if you consistently find yourself moody and sad this time of year.