We have reached the end of August, which means that fall is just around the corner – whether we like it or not. Do you greet the change in seasons with enthusiasm or dread?
You might be clinging to these last days of summer because you’re not ready to face shorter days, back-to-school shopping, or another cold and flu season.
But, instead of clinging, what if we found some proactive ways to carry those summer vibes with us into the fall?
I put together this blog post to give you 3 proactive ways that you can support your body, mind, and soul as we move out of the long, leisurely days of summer and into fall. These actions can help you maintain a summer mindset so you can approach the seasonal shift with joy.
Summer Mindset Tip #1: Boost Your Immunity & Mood with Vitamin D3
Want a surefire way to maintain summer health and attitude? Start supplementing with Vitamin D3 at the end of summer.
It’s a common misconception that we get enough vitamin D in the summer to last through the fall. But for the vast majority of people, this is simply not true.
Do you:
- Wear sunscreen from head to toe all summer long?
- Keep your face, eyes, and body covered during peak hours?
- Limit your sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, you are doing a great job of preventing skin cancer, but you are probably NOT getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D to maintain optimal health.
In addition to physically limiting sun exposure, many of us do not metabolize vitamin D3 in our skin and liver efficiently due to high-stress levels.
And to make it even worse, research has shown a correlation between low vitamin D3 levels and increased rates of depression, impaired memory, and brain inflammation.
But there is good news! Our own brainSHIFT Protocol research has shown that replenishing and maintaining vitamin D3 levels is vital in healing the negative impacts of burnout on the brain and body.
As the days slowly become shorter, now is the perfect time to get your vitamin D3 levels tested and start or continue supplementing.
→ Listen to this 15-minute podcast to understand why it’s vital to know your vitamin D3 levels as we head into fall.
Summer Mindset Tip #2: S Is for Social
It’s not only sunshine that boosts our mood in the summer. Over the past few months, I have traveled around the country to meet with teams in person. After these pandemic years, the joy was tangible as teams gathered in person rather than over Zoom, where we are so easily distracted.
There is a brainSHIFT in energy and inspiration when a team or company comes together physically. Seeing and hearing each other live helps foster feelings of community and belonging.
During the summer, we naturally gather more frequently. And after 2.5 years of limited contact, the extra social time is a balm for our souls. The warmer days invite us to linger with friends, family, and loved ones. Being outside hosting BBQs, over brunch, or pausing poolside helps us to connect to one another and mother nature.
How can we keep these mood-boosting social vibes with us this fall? Here are some ways that you can gather with your friends and team members:
- Take an assessment of the people in your life. Who adds to your energy when they are present with you? Who drains your energy? Feel empowered to spend more time with people who fuel your spirit.
- Replace a Zoom or boardroom meeting with a walking meeting.
- Forgot how good it is to dine out with friends? Get some dinner dates on the calendar now, so you have something to look forward to as the days get shorter.
- Replace 30-60 minute lectures with an interactive chat with an expert/leader, so everyone feels included in the conversation.
- Short on time? Use your lunch break to connect with a colleague in person or a friend on FaceTime. You’ll feel more energized than those days when you eat over your keyboard.
- Take time to practice gratitude. Make time each week to write a thank you note or call a special friend in your life – remember your single friends or someone who has recently lost a loved one.
Summer Mindset Tip #3: Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude is a major component of my brainSHIFT protocol. And not just because I like sending thank you notes. It’s easy to roll our eyes and stare at the empty gratitude journals on our nightstands.
But I want you to pause and think about someone who got you through these last 2 ½ years. Now email/text/call them to say, “thank you for being there for me.”
Study after study has shown a strong correlation between gratitude and happiness. The people who make a habit of expressing gratitude lead much happier, fulfilling lives.
How can something that is so simple have such a big impact? It comes down to neurobiology and science. Each time someone pauses for gratitude, the reward center in their brain is stimulated, releasing dopamine and serotonin. These are the “feel good” chemicals that promote happiness and a sense of well-being.
But it gets even better! When we focus on the good, we amplify the good. When we give thanks and show appreciation, not only do we increase these feelings in ourselves, but the receiving party also feels happier!
Happiness and positivity rub off on others. And when those around you are happier, you are happier.
Gratitude promotes happiness and health in the workplace
And you are not the only person who will benefit from an attitude of gratitude. Scientific studies on the topic of positive psychology show that gratitude can help:
- Improve workplace dynamics
- Increase team productivity
- Promote health and mental well-being
- Strengthen marriages
- Foster healthy family dynamics
Ok, so what’s the catch? The act of giving thanks takes just moments of our day and it doesn’t cost a penny. So why isn’t everyone engaging in this vital act?
Unfortunately, many people get stuck in a spiral of negativity that can be hard to break. That’s where our brainSHIFT micro-habits come into play.
By making a conscious effort to incorporate gratitude into your life on a daily basis, you’ll quickly form a habit that can benefit you for a lifetime.
Here’s how you can brainSHIFT into an attitude of gratitude:
- Pause for gratitude. Set aside 5 minutes each day to give thanks. Make it a consistent time of the day so you remember to repeat the habit daily.
- Start a gratitude journal. Each day, list out at least one thing you are grateful for.
- Give thanks to someone. Pick one person to show gratitude for each day. It could be a colleague, your spouse, your children, or the UPS delivery driver. Bonus points if you write an old-fashioned letter to show your appreciation for someone!
- Meditate. This is a great way to incorporate two powerful practices into your life! Here is a 2-minute gratitude meditation that I created to allow thankfulness to wash over you.
Want to help your team thrive this fall?
As the days get shorter, organizations may see their productivity decrease as team members lose focus or suffer from the winter blues.
If you’re a leader looking for a proactive way to encourage your team to thrive this fall, I’d love to talk with you more about our brainSHIFT at Work programs, which are designed to reduce the negative impact of stress and burnout.
Help your team thrive with a custom program or keynote presentation designed to motivate them this fall and all year round. Get in touch now.
