Nurturing Yourself Through Stress: Practical Tips for Seasonal Well-Being

As we approach the autumn and winter seasons, let’s take a moment to check in with ourselves. With the upcoming holidays and elections, this time of year can be especially stressful. You may experience both psychological and physical reactions to the change in weather and sunlight or pressures associated with family and travel plans. While some events and reactions may be predictable, there are still many unknowns that can arise as we navigate this season.

Taking time to focus on ourselves can initially feel uncomfortable. It requires a sense of calm as we assess our needs and consider whether we’re creating an environment that supports them. While self-care might sometimes seem like a luxury, it can also be seen as a simple act of kindness toward ourselves. Scheduling daily or weekly time to invest in ourselves can include walks in nature, simply connecting to our breathing, or even slowing down to enjoy a warm cup of tea in bed. At times, even without trying, we can find answers to some of our dilemmas when we separate ourselves from the chaos of daily life and allow our minds to simply reset.

While there is not a one size fits all model, we can start a self-care practice that will help support us this time of year. Perhaps it means a consistent sleep routine, meal prepping, or reconnecting to a hobby. It may also include becoming more comfortable with setting boundaries. This can be especially challenging, as it may result in negative reactions from others. One way to intentionally communicate our needs is to acknowledge the invite or engagement with a level of thankfulness, while also expressing our decision to decline. Saying “no” can also be expressed as “I’m grateful that you thought of me, and at this time, I am won’t be able to make it.” There may not be a need to go deeper into reasoning; however, there may be relationships in where more dialogue may be necessary and that can include expressing our personal need to rest.

Taking time out is very crucial to our wellbeing. We are also social beings, and connection to others can be a source of support. Our friendships and family ties can change over time and this adjustment can be especially challenging as social, political, and environmental factors play a role. What can be helpful is remembering commonalities and what experiences had led to cohesion in the past. There may or may not be ways to reconnect and we always need to consider our level of comfort in maintaining relationships. Always allow yourself grace to reevaluate your needs. While we can create a blueprint for the upcoming months, being able to adjust to life’s unpredictability will allow us to remain curious and grounded. Lean into sources of support and know that additional care can be found in counseling services that are tailored to meet your individual needs.

Jennifer Lee Pfeuffer, Psy.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling Health and Psychology.