Fall Back (into bad habits)

With the seasons in transition and the holidays around the corner, most of us are just trying to survive the back to school rebound. This is a busy time of year! Kids’ sports and school activities ramp up (as do class parties, parent-teacher conferences, fights about homework, and the annual flu season sharing of germs ritual) which increases stress. Work often intensifies with end of the year deadlines looming large. Days start getting shorter while the to-do list gets longer. With daylight savings just a few weeks away - start getting intentional and planning NOT to fall back into bad habits.

Let’s be proactive about maintaining positive physical and mental health during this perfect storm. Rather than entering 2024 with a sense of regret based on lapsing habits and overindulgence, we can focus on maintaining where we are right now. Going for walks before it gets too cold, adding a salad as a side dish to some warm comfort food, and switching out a few glasses of mulled wine for flavored water will make you feel a little bit less like a bear preparing to hibernate through the winter.

Be deliberate in planning your family events and how you spend your social time, too. Stressful obligations, juggling multiple competing family invitations and parties? Set boundaries. If saying “no” to your exhausting, draining friend feels hard, try saying “I wish I could make it, but I can’t.” Full stop. You don’t owe anyone an explanation! If you are in a situation that involves coparenting, a blended family, or other emotionally charged family dynamics, this can be even more intense. It’s important to take care of yourself and your own needs too, especially if you are used to putting everyone else’s first.