The days of summer and carefree living are gone, and fall is in full swing. It’s the season of shorter days, school deadlines, sports events, holidays, and ultimately stress. Yes, with everything this time of year brings, stress and anxiety are on almost everyone’s plate. Understanding how to deal with these emotions this season can be difficult. Rice Psychology Group understands many people feel an increase in anxiety during the autumn months, and we have a few tips you can use to manage those feelings.
Recognize What You’re Feeling
It is normal to feel overwhelmed during this time of year. Maybe you are sleeping less, are thrown off by the time change, are getting less exercise and sunlight, or feel your to-do lists are continuously growing. Whatever it is, this season can have you feeling less like yourself and with less control over your mental health. Are you feeling burned out, or are you living with what our team of licensed psychologists calls, “autumn anxiety?” FYI autumn anxiety is not a formal diagnosis; rather it aptly describes a set of traits some people may feel during this season.
The following are some symptoms of autumn anxiety:
- Irritability
- Low mood and depression
- Anxiety and excessive worry
- Lethargy, sleepiness, and fatigue
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
It’s important to note that transition, especially seasonal ones, can cause an increase in anxiety. If you or a loved one is struggling this time of year or are consistently feeling the symptoms mentioned above, consider practicing the following tips.
Practice These Tips to Feel Better
Regardless of what may be causing your anxiety, stress, or uneasiness this autumn, these five tips may improve your mental health and reframe your outlook.
- Get more sunlight. In some places where the temperature is colder (or even here in Florida, where we seem to be experiencing a new hurricane or tropical storm every couple of weeks), getting outdoors can be a little tricky. Still, getting more sunlight is important for our mental health, especially this time of year. Try paying closer attention to upcoming weather forecasts and make it a priority to get outside at least one to two times a day. Even if you only stay outside for a few minutes, that little bit of sunshine may improve your physical and mental health.
- Exercise every day. Exercise can help improve your mood. Try to move your body for at least 30 minutes, seven days a week. Whether outdoors or indoors, find ways to get your heart pumping and enjoy the extra movement.
- Start something new. Many of us associate fall with fresh starts and a time of change. The perfect time to change your routine is at the beginning of a new season. Declutter your home, reorganize, try a new hobby, start reading new books, join a local club, or try a new sport.
- Change your perspective. Throughout this blog, we’ve listed several negative experiences that can impact your life; however, reframing how you look at the season can help. So rather than focusing on the cold weather, deadlines, and shorter days, remind yourself about all the positives this season brings. Fun decorations and more time with family and friends, to name a few.
- Do not wait until things get bad. If you feel overwhelmed, seek out professional help with Rice Psychology Group. Take quick action if you feel anxious or depressed, and let our team of licensed psychologists in Tampa help.
Request a Consultation with Rice Psychology Group
Change of any kind can be difficult to handle and sometimes can cause you to feel overwhelmed and as if there’s nowhere to turn. Rice Psychology Group is here for you and your loved ones and can provide the tools you need to live a better, more positive life. Contact us today and schedule your free, 10-minute consultation.
