Adjusting to Change

Autumn is a season for many changes. Students are going back to school, teachers are going back to work, and everyone is starting to hang up the summer beach towels and preparing for the fall’s new schedule. If you are like many Americans, the word ‘schedule’ sounds like it is suffocating you from the easy-going, free-spirited summer lifestyle you just enjoyed. Sure you enjoy a little bit of a guideline to life, but how can you get pleasantly acquainted with this change you need to adjust to? Lifechanging Counseling has 5 simple tips to help you enjoy harmonizing with your new schedule.

1. Get a good night’s sleep. Sleeping the recommended 7-9 hours has many positive effects on the mind and body including boosting positive mood, energy to get through the day, and the ability to focus.

2. Eat breakfast. Fact: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast within the first hour after waking kick-starts the body’s metabolism, helping it to work faster throughout the day. Eating breakfast will help you focus on your morning tasks, not on your moaning stomach. Did you know that eating an apple for breakfast actually gives you more sustaining energy than a cup of coffee? The natural sugars in an apple give your body the pick-me-up without the crash.

3. Think positive! Robert Merton came up with the first psychological definition of self-fulfilling prophecy. He said that a false definition of a situation may convince a person to act in that preconceived behavior, which can make the original false idea come true. So, approach your new adjustment challenge (whether it be school, work, or just back from vacation) with a smile. Tell yourself that today is going to be a great day, and list your reasons why. You may be surprised how the people around you begin to notice the positive energy you give-off.

4. Exercise. Make time for a 30-minute walk with friends or family. You will gain quality social opportunities, and the endorphins (the “feel-good” compounds in the brain) trigger a positive feeling in the body.

5. Prepare. Get everything you need for tomorrow (such as your lunch) prepared the night before. Doing this will help you to not feel bombarded with tasks first thing in the morning.

These five simple steps can help you adjust to your new fall schedule with ease and delight!