Whether like my family you are now back to school (or very soon to be), back to work after your holiday or just back to your normal routine after the summer then you will be aware that September is a time of adjustment that is not always easy to navigate.
The trick is to:
• Be kind to yourself, and to everyone else as they also take a reality check,
• Take it one step at a time,
• Reassess your priorities,
Be kind to yourself: Our brains like everything to stay the same but life doesn’t generally tend to agree. If we can be kind to ourselves when we are struggling to adapt to an imposed change of routine then we can accept that it is ok, that it is a normal way to be feeling and that given time we can and will adjust. But remember the rest of your household may also be experiencing challenging changes and so to avoid uncomfortable atmospheres and discord they too may benefit from and appreciate a little leeway on this front.
Take it one step at a time: If we think about all the elements that we need to change, such as; earlier to bed, early to rise, managing our time better to get that homework or those chores done, reducing our alcohol intake, shifting back to healthier eating habits and getting some exercise, we could easily become overwhelmed. It is best to break it all down into palatable chunks and then take it step by step, so that it all becomes far more approachable:
Especially with food, alcohol and exercise sudden changes can lead to us feeling; tired, irritable, unfocused, headachy and also hangry (hungry plus angry). It is far better to slowly drop back on your sugar intake rather than go the cold turkey approach, to help you avoid the above pitfalls. If you haven’t exercised regularly for a while then just start gently and build up cautiously to avoid muscular aches, pains and injuries.
Reassess your priorities: Perhaps you have also appreciated a better quality of life over the summer, maybe you spent more time doing things you enjoy. Although you may think that this is no longer possible we are all so much healthier when we are happy with our lives, perhaps there is a little room for manoeuvre so that you can also keep your enthusiasm for life alive.
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