The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and connection. But for many, December also brings stress, pressure, and emotional challenges. Between the demands of gift-giving, social gatherings, and end-of-year responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. As a licensed psychologist, I’m here to offer insights and strategies for navigating this season with balance and intention.
As November unfolds, it’s a season often associated with gratitude—a time to reflect on what we have, cherish our connections, and find moments of joy amidst the busyness of life. Gratitude, however, is more than a seasonal sentiment. It’s a powerful practice that can significantly enhance mental well-being and resilience.
As the leaves begin to change and the crispness of fall sets in, many of us are reminded of the constant shifts in life. Just as the trees shed their leaves and prepare for winter, we too go through seasons of transformation—whether through external changes like moving to a new city or internal shifts like reevaluating personal priorities. For many, this time of year also brings stress, anxiety, and feelings of burnout as we navigate these transitions. It can be a busy, overwhelming period that requires intentionality and self-care.
Fall presents a powerful opportunity to reflect on where we are in life, what’s no longer serving us, and how we can set healthier boundaries to protect our mental health. Life transitions, while often stressful, can also be a time of great personal growth and positive change.
Let’s explore how to approach life transitions with intention, how to set boundaries during these times of stress, and how to manage anxiety and burnout along the way. Whether you’re dealing with a career shift, a change in relationships, or just feeling the effects of seasonal transitions, this guide will provide you with tools to help navigate your journey.
As the sun sets on summer and we begin to trade in our swimsuits for sweaters, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit of a mood shift. The transition from the lazy, hazy days of summer to the cooler, more structured days of fall can bring about what many refer to as the "end of summer blues." If you’re feeling a little down as the season changes, you’re not alone! Let’s dive into why the end of summer can mess with your mood and what you can do to keep your mental health in check during this time.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “self-care?” For many of us, our minds are flooded with images of bubble baths, long days at the spa, shopping sprees, and other things that are generally either unattainable or unrealistic to do regularly. Sure, those activities might be part of self-care for some people, but self-care has become such a buzzword these days that its meaning has been skewed and often confused with self-indulgence. This confusion overshadows the deeper meaning and purpose behind true self-care practices.
