Fall Into a New Routine: Using Seasonal Wellness to Re-Inspire Your Healthy Habits
As the long days of summer fade, we feel a natural pull back towards routines and structure. Last month, we learned how to reclaim time from our devices and spend it on things that truly matter. Now, with fall's arrival, it's the perfect opportunity to use that reclaimed time to re-inspire your healthy habits.
By aligning your personal wellness goals with the natural rhythms of the season, you can shift into a new routine with greater ease. Instead of trying to tackle every health goal at once, imagine harnessing the unique energy of each time of year to focus on specific aspects of your well-being. The seasonal shifts offer the perfect backdrop for this approach.
Why Seasonal Habit Stacking Works
Our lives naturally shift with the seasons—our activity levels, food choices, social calendars, and even our moods can change. By intentionally choosing habits that complement these natural shifts, you can:
- Leverage Environmental Cues: The longer daylight hours of summer naturally encourage social and outdoor activity, while the coziness of winter is ideal for focusing on indoor practices like mindfulness or healthy cooking.
- Reduce Resistance: It's easier to start a running habit when the weather is mild and inviting than during a snowy January. Aligning with the season makes the habit feel more natural, less like a chore.
- Prevent Burnout: Instead of trying to maintain intense focus on all habits year-round, you can cycle your efforts, giving yourself a mental break and renewed energy for different goals. Focusing on 3 month intervals can leverage novelty to encourage progress.
A Seasonal Guide to Build Healthy Habits
Here are a few ideas of how you can seasonally focus your habit formation, drawing inspiration from the seasonal changes.
Fall (September - November): Back to Routine & Foundational Habits
As summer winds down and the school year begins, there's a natural pull back towards structure. This is the perfect time to establish those foundational habits we discussed:
- Sleep Schedule: Aim for consistent bedtimes and wake-up times. The earlier sunsets naturally encourage this.
- Movement: Establish a routine that works well for your schedule to create consistency with daily walking, movement, and strength training.
- Meal Prep: Get back into the swing of planning and preparing nutritious meals for the week, especially with busier schedules. Utilize the abundant seasonal autumn veggies.
Winter (December - February): Nourishment & Inner Wellness
The colder, shorter days often mean more time indoors. This is an excellent opportunity to focus on habits that nourish you from the inside out.
- Comfort Cooking: Experiment with healthy, warming recipes like soups, stews, and roasted vegetables.
- Social Connection with the Holidays: Lean into the gatherings and social aspects of the holidays while continuing to honor what matters to you and your health goals (like eating well or taking down time for relaxation).
- Strength Training/Indoor Movement: Heat your body from the inside out by focusing on indoor fitness, whether it's hitting the gym, going to a yoga studio, or home workouts.
- Mindfulness & Reading: Use the cozy evenings to cultivate habits of reading, reflection, or a mindful practice.
Spring (March - May): Re-energize & Outdoor Movement
As the snow melts and the days lengthen, there's a natural burst of energy. This is a great time to shake off winter's inertia.
- Outdoor Activities: Re-introduce or start new outdoor habits like hiking, cycling, taking daily walks or racquet sports.
- Spring Cleaning for Health: Decluttering your home can also extend to decluttering your diet—focusing on fresh produce and lighter dishes.
- Hydration Focus: As your activity level increases and temperatures rise, make a conscious effort to increase your water intake.
Summer (June - August): Adventure & Connection
Long days, sunshine, and vacation vibes make summer ideal for habits that enhance joy, exploration, and social well-being.
- Nature Immersion: Make it a habit to regularly explore natural playgrounds—camping, paddle boarding, or exploring parks and trails.
- Social Connection: Prioritize habits of connecting with friends and family, whether it's weekly park picnics, family bike rides or evening strolls.
- Active Recovery: Balance intense summer activities with habits like stretching, restorative yoga, or gentle movement to aid recovery and prevent burnout.
By tuning into the unique opportunities each season presents, you can make habit formation feel less like a chore and more energizing. This fall, as we settle back into routine, consider what healthy habit this season is best suited for you to help you reach your health goals for 2025.
Do you need more structure or community support? Please join us in the Vitality Membership where we build healthy habits to achieve our greater health goals for 2025!