Transition from Summer to Fall with Ease

I-Deal-Lifestyle Newsletter Autumn 2015

Hold on, here comes another Seasonal Transition.   Fall is arriving soon. The first day of Summer this year was June 21st, 2015, and with all Seaonal Transitions it may have brought on an intense, tiring and moody start. but here we are and the summer is almost over.  Fall season starts this year on September 23rd, 2015.   So continue to enjoy the summer by giving a dinner party, go out to dinner with friends, go dancing and kick up your heals.  Summer is a very healing time of the year.

Seasonal Transitions can be daunting if you are not aware of what comes along with them.  Even if you do not meet criteria for a Seasonal Affective Disorder (link)  you may have cranky, tired and restless behavior with Seasonal Transitions.  The most difficult Seasonal Transition is Winter to Spring, then Spring to Summer, and the easiest Seasonal Change is Summer to Fall and second easiest is Fall to Winter.  Getting the kids ready for school, planning a fall vacation and or just recuperating from a summer vacation is not the end of the earth, but here are some tips to make it easier.

STAY HEALTHY

The biggest factors in staying healthful and balanced are to eat well, sleep well, have good relationships, exercise and stay active and social.  Also just recognizing and realizing, that you are going through a Seasonal Transition, will remind you to increase your coping strategies.  Coping strategies: Eat Well, Sleep Well, Communicate Well, Staying Organized, Socialize, Stay Productive, Take a Class, travel...whatever makes you  feel free, happy and lively. 

One of the great gifts you can give to yourself every season is an Organic Fruit and Vegetable Basket from your local Farms.   Getting on an organic delivery service will help you eat vegetables and fruit that are in season and save you lots of time grocery shopping.  The size of your basket depends on the size of your family.  Also eating cage free organic eggs, grass fed meats, organic meat and fresh water fish will improve your health.  Taking in liquid amino acids, hot baths, teeth care, regular massages, and general good hygiene will make you feel renewed and rejuvenated.

Taking vitamins and minerals regularly, eliminating harmful sugar substitutes, hydrogenated oils, too much alcohol, smoking while increasing exercise will also be helpful.

Getting counseling and or coaching for any emotional challenges will also clean out the pipes for a fresh new look at old challenges.


STAY ORGANIZED 


Obviously for obvious reasons staying organized creates stability and a sense of calm.  Having easy access to everything you own, staying current with bills, paperwork, banking, and having a clutter free space = better lifestyle.  De-cluttering before school starts and or another season of holidays will make you feel accomplished and easy going.  Getting your emotional self organized is a good idea too.  Getting a life coaching session to sort out difficult decisions and or to make a career / life change is important.  Two heads are always better than one.  Organizing your office, bedrooms, closets, garage, living areas and kids toys are just a start to getting a whole home and or business organization system.  Don’t be worried to tweak a system that did not work out for you.




SLEEP WELL

Sleep cycles vary with each Season.  Usually in summer people require less sleep, although some people run on an opposite clock....we all tick differently.  Fall, well, you just fall asleep...pretty great sleep.  Fall is a pretty easy going time in the beginning and then you want to gather energy, momentum and discipline to get ready for the hussle and bussel Fall brings with school starting, holiday season preparation and shorter days/less sun.  Winter brings on some sleep challenges if you're not careful.  Too much sleeping in Winter leads to decreased motivation, depression and weight gain.  Insomnia leads to irritability, decreased concentration, and apathy.  Prescription sleep medications and over the counter remedies increase mood instability and cause only more disturbance to your sleep cycle in the long run.  Winter also brings stomach issues from too much sugar, alcohol and heavier food consumption...seems none of can stay away from the table around the Holidays.  Higher sugar consumption starts with Halloween, then Thanksgiving and the finale is Christmas....by New Years Eve you could be crashing while forcing yourself to stay up for Midnight.  Ironically it is also when we think about our New Years Resolutions...yet we can't think since we are bleary from all the parties.  You will best think about your life and the New Year in February.  Remember SUGAR is really BAD for you, yes, even in small amounts.

When I was a Medical Social worker, years ago, I worked on a Skilled Nursing Floor where people get increased hospital care due to surgeries, serious illness, accidents etc...  I performed Discharge Planning.  I would look at the patient's chart to link them to resources, while discharging them, and crazily enough, 80% of the elderly patients suffered from diabetes.   Epidemic proportions of people will end up with diabetes from ingesting too many processed, high sugary foods and drinks.  

Now that we are still having summer remember first to have fun!  It's summer for heavens sake!  Think smart about drinking plenty of water, decrease dairy or eliminate it altogether (fresh fruit sorbet instead of ice cream), eat lighter food fare with more fruit, decrease alcohol, rest a lot, and wear sun protective eyewear and clothing, increase exercise, more & more water, more sunscreen (keep applying...it is not waterproof), and then just kick back, put on a bathing suit and swim through the wonderful summer with joy and purpose!

Marla Stone is a retired Social Worker / Therapist who provides Lifestyle Consulting and Professional Organizing Services.  www.i-deal-lifestyle.com and www.southocwellness.com
Contact Marla at 
[email protected] or call 949-709-7000 for a free 30 minute phone consultation or just to say hi!