The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp, and the aroma of pumpkin spice is everywhere you go. IT’S FALL! There’s nothing better than grabbing your favorite hoodie and sitting out by a crackling fire. Not to mention, apple cider, halloween, cozy clothes, and amazing food; fall is great! But also if you’re not careful, it can be a rough time of the year. Yes, there are some incredible features about the end of the year seasons, but it is also a time of the year where seasonal depression can take over and run wild, so it’s important to stay connected to yourself and practice mindfulness. 

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

You may be asking yourself “Okay but how can I practice mindfulness? What specifically can I do to help me get out of this funk?”

No worries! We’re going to help you do just that by sharing some tips and tricks to keep you living your best life!

Tip 1: Practice Gratitude

This first tip may be the simplest one, but it can have the biggest effect on your mental health! The easiest way to explain “gratitude” is to simply be thankful for everything. If you constantly focus on negativity, then negative things are more likely to happen to you. It’s taboo to wake up every morning and say 3 simple things that you are grateful for, but try practicing this every morning. It starts the day in a positive light. 

Another easy way to practice gratitude is to be okay with who you are. Today there are so many factors, whether it be social media, pop culture, or peer pressure, that instill in our brains that we need to be perfect. We need to have the perfect makeup, we need to wear the perfect clothes, we need to pretend that we have the most perfect life and document that on “The Gram”. It’s exhausting! 

A great way to handle this pressure is to use the phrase, “I AM” and then follow it with a positive word to describe yourself. Eventually, your brain will begin to believe it! Say it with us:

“I AM BEAUTIFUL”, “I AM IMPORTANT”, “I AM SUCCESSFUL”, “I AM ______”. 

Good! Now start believing it, because you are!

Tip 2: Find a Hobby

Acquiring a hobby is a great way to practice mindfulness and have fun while doing it! Pick up a camera and start taking photos, pick up a mat and start practicing yoga, pick up a plant and start learning how to take care of it! Anything. Just find something that you truly enjoy doing. Having fun, being creative, and trying new things can release endorphins and in turn make you feel purposeful and happy! 

Tip 3: Meditate 

Meditation can sound a little daunting if you have never tried it before, but after a few practices, it can be extremely rewarding! You also don’t have to go into some super spiritual trance to meditate. It can be very simple. Go into a quiet room and just sit silently for 5 minutes- that’s it! Try controlling your breathing and focus on positivity. Think of the certain tasks that you would like to get done that day or think of 5 things that you are grateful for. By simply relaxing your mind and focusing on the good, you will feel reconnected and rejuvenated for the rest of your day!

Tip 4: Eat Mindfully

The final tip is to eat mindfully. We’re not going to use the dreaded “diet” word here. Diets often have the stigma of having to do without. That isn’t necessarily the case if you focus on how to fuel your body with healthy foods instead of fast food or processed foods. A great way to practice this is to ask yourself before eating, “Will my body be happy with this choice in an hour?”. The answer to this question will help you become a bit more aware of what you are putting into your body! 

Be Mindful

Practicing these four tips can help you rock this fall and keep you from feeling stuck in a rut. Whether you practice gratitude daily, pick up a new hobby, meditate, become more aware of how you’re fueling your body, or do all four, the more mindful that you are, the happier you will be!