The weather is cooling off a couple of degrees in some states (although it’s still quite summery outside). However, with students going back to school, bedtimes getting earlier and popular attractions shortening their hours following tourist season, it can leave a feeling of loss in some that can only be described as the blues.
One of the keys is to remember that summers are not gone forever, and that there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming seasons, suggests Reader’s Digest. By reflecting on the good times you had and appreciating your changing surroundings, you can beat the summer blues. Here are seven tips for saying goodbye to the warmest season (for now)…
Frame Your Favorite Moments
Everyone takes hundreds of pictures via smartphone or other means these days, and you probably have countless moments to look back on from the summer that you may have forgotten about. Reader’s Digest says you should find those precious summer moments and bring them back to life by printing them.
Don’t stop there; the source suggests placing your favorite snapshots in a frame and hanging it somewhere where you can glance at and smile while the leaves are falling outside. Make a bigger project out of a scrapbook you can leaf through, which you’ll be able to cherish for years to come.
Embrace More Cuddles
Parents.com says the cooling down from summer is a great excuse to spend some more time under the covers, whether you’re reading a book to your child or catching up on a romance novel. If you don’t have the time or inclination to laze around in bed all day, cuddle time can be had during playtime as well.
This extra bonding before school starts will help your child cope better with the coming changes, notes the source. This could also be a good time to bring up another tip from the website, which is to teach kids to relax by being mindful (in the moment). You can use relaxing photos or positive reinforcement to train your child to focus on happy thoughts.
Take Time Outs
While the summer can be the most social time of year with the most events and get-togethers of any season, you may have forgotten to give yourself a break from the hectic schedule. Lifehack.org suggests throwing a “me party,” which is a great time—with no invited guests.
The basic idea is to pamper yourself, so take an evening each week to do the things that only you want to do. It can be something as simple as making time to watch your favorite show or take a bubble bath. This approach can be used during summer as well, because people get the “summer blues” as well as the “end of summer blues”.
Plan a Road Trip
If you didn’t get out to the cottage or wherever you wanted to end up this summer, don’t fret. Autumn is great time to take that trip or extended “staycation,” because there are less people out and about and you’ll have more time and space to yourself.
Take a look online at activities you can still do on your own or with your family (for example, museums are a great place to visit during the off-season). You might be pleasantly surprised how many opportunities there are close to home for some rest and relaxation, or family bonding time without all the stress, explains WikiHow.
Keep Moving
The warm sunshine of the summer is a great motivator to be outside and get exercise without even considering how much exercise you’re getting. However, when the thermometer dips, many people opt to start staying indoors more, which contributes to that feeling of sadness and isolation as summer disappears from the radar.
It’s important to maintain a connection to the outdoors when cooler temperatures arrive. As many experts point out, remaining active helps to increase endorphins in your body, which naturally improve your mood. The cooler temperature means it may be a little easier on your body to go jogging or perform other activities. You can also sign up for an indoor dance class or a fitness club if you prefer climate controlled environments.
Frolic at Fall Fairs
It’s as if our forefathers said a hundred years ago, “We should really create some fall events so our future generations won’t be sad when summer ends.” This is the time of year for fall fairs, which are a great way to spend time with family or friends whether you’re enjoying rides, playing games or taking in the demolition derby.
Many towns across the U.S. have fall fairs during the dying days of summer or early days of autumn, and many of them have been operating annually for a century or longer. They are usually an inexpensive night out (unless you blow all your money trying to throw that ring onto a bottle to impress your date) and offer up a great variety of food and attractions.
Marvel at Nature
In many states, autumn is a visual spectacle thanks to the changing colors of the foliage and the increased activity from woodland creatures as they gather food and prepare for the long winter ahead. This is a great reason to take a nature hike (this ties in nicely with the “keep moving” theme).
While you’re looking back at summer’s best moments through pictures, remember that looking forward is important too. Take advantage of the smaller crowds and spectacular fall views to photograph some of the local sites, while deeply breathing in the cool, fresh and crisp air.
