For many of us, the end of summertime means back to school and back to the grind. Companies launch into their 4th quarter which means the summer slack-off season is done and it’s time to get serious as we close out the end of the year.
Between the dip in temperatures, shorter days, work and family demands, it’s no wonder people feel sad to part with summer and start looking for a way to boost their mood!
I connected with Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Neuropsychologist and Teaching Faculty at Columbia University in New York City to explain why people get the post-summer blues and some tips for how to best boost mood!
7 things to do to boost your mood as we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall:
1. Ease into the routine.
A lot of people expect to hit the ground running immediately after Labor Day. Allow yourself a solid two weeks to a full month to get back into the swing of your fall routine. You can’t expect to go from a more relaxed summer mindset into a rushed pace.
“A lot of people make the mistake of going from summer ease to fall hustle and they end up running themselves down leading to a cold. You want to get a realistic handle on the fall routine and make decisions about how much to take on. Planning ahead helps,” explains Dr. Hafeez.
2. Go outside and play anyway!
The fall means a break in humidity and beautiful crisp air. It’s common to go from 80-degree temperatures to mid 60’s within a month. You can still enjoy your deck, barbecuing, reading in a lounge chair, having a catch in the yard, or going for a walk in nature.
“Get outdoors and avoid spending weekends in hibernation which only makes people feel lethargic and depressed,” advises Dr. Hafeez who has been featured on national TV talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder.
3. Get things done that you put off during summer.
Before the weather takes a turn for the cold and holiday hustle ensues, take advantage of the cooler fall temperatures by tending to things like, auto repairs, home projects, pet care, medical visits, and financial assessments. “When we make a decision to accomplish things we’ve put off and then follow through, we feel more in control and this reduces stress,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Something as simple as taking a few hours to tidy up the yard, clean out the garage, get rid of clothes can elevate the mood.
4. Recap the summer with a look back at photos and gratitude.
At the end of each season, it’s such a great ritual to do a recap. Look back into your social media feeds for the photos posted and memories made. Consider creating a summer photo album with highlights from vacations, pool days, family barbecues, weddings and any other fun that was had.
5. Start brainstorming next summer’s vacation and must-do activities.
“You really want to move into a forward-thinking mindset instead of longing for the past. This summer is over and another one will come. Brainstorming with the family on where to go next, is a fun way to get excited about what’s ahead. When we think about possibilities it elevates our mood so grab an issue of a travel magazine and get inspired,” suggests Dr. Hafeez.
6. When in doubt, get a makeover!
Nothing elevates the mood more than a day of primping and prepping. When we are putting the summer clothes away and pulling out the fall clothes we get to edit our wardrobes and make a list of the new things we want to add. Shopping for new clothes isn’t just limited to the kids heading back to school. A new hair color or style can also mark the start of a new season in a fun new way. “Self-care isn’t limited to meditation, juicing and massages. Finding that perfect fall jacket, shoes, new shades of cosmetics can do a lot to lift spirits,” Dr. Hafeez shares.
7. Use Scent to boost your mood. Scent can play a powerful role in your mood. I’m instantly reminded of memories from my childhood when I smell fresh lilac thanks to the huge row of lilac bushes my dad had planted in my childhood home’s backyard. It was a scent I experienced often and envelopes some of my favorite child past-times of playing in the yard, running through sprinklers, and soaking up the sun!
I love breaking out the candles for fall not only for the ambiance and to set a warm, cozy mood when the weather starts to chill, but some of my favorite candles from the Aubrey & Amandine collection are pure luxury and use natural essential oils for a natural mood boost!
Each one of the scents from the Aubrey & Amandine collection has different characteristics and a particular theme; Relax, Refresh, Joy, Peace, Calm, Comfort, and Renew.
My favorites are Renew (lilac) and Peace (ocean breeze- hello summer!) to help me feel more bright and cheery even when the days are noticeably getting shorter. Bergamot (found in the Aubert & Amandine Peace candle) has been shown to have a lifting effect, so it can stimulate uplifting thoughts and feelings and improve energy levels. The gorgeous candles look amazing too and burn evenly thanks to using pure soy wax and fiber wicks.
The highly-concentrated candles are large and the light, airy, cheery scents fill up the whole great room with a relaxing, calming, soothing fresh scent! Each candle will burn for about 35 hours too!
Learn more about these beautiful mood-boosting scented candles from Aubert & Amandine in my YouTube video here:
Check Aubert & Amandine candles out at aubertamandine.com and use my code: Style15 and get 15% OFF YOUR ORDER!! + FREE SHIPPING in the USA
You can also pick up Albert & Aumandine candles here on Amazon https://amzn.to/2XI42CZ
Happy Mood-Boosting!
What are some of your tips for boosting mood? Do you have a particular scent that you love that instantly makes you feel happy? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from you!
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*This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are solely my own. I only share reviews with my readers, I feel will be beneficial or informative in some way.
My mood definitely takes a nosedive during the colder seasons. I need to do better about getting outside when I can. I also love candles to lift my mood. I enjoy bakery scents the most. It’s always easy to find great scents in the fall. Salted Caramel Corn is probably my favorite!
I am looking forward to fall! The holidays and the warm clothes!
Thanks for all the info. A good mood is important.
I frequently use smells to improve my mood, but I looking forward to trying your other methods as well! I’m excited for some cooler weather, so we can get outside more often!
I’ve never heard of this candle company before. Lilac is one of my favorite scents, so I’d love one of the lilac candles.
All great tips!
Great tools for overcoming seasonal depression. I love Fall and shorter days, but I’m in the SouthEast so it means a lot more comfort for me.
I love all of these awesome ideas!! I really need to remember to get out and play. I’m always working.
I know I always feel a little down when summer ends as it seems to go by so quickly. This article had some great tips to ease into fall mode. I love the idea of scented candles as I know scents trigger places and joyful memories when you have them throughout your house.
Thanks for the article. I usually feel down when summer comes to an end so these are some great ideas.
I always think use scent to boost our mood is a great way and effective. I love a nice scent especially before I go to sleep.
As someone that suffers from anxiety and depression, these are great options. I often find it’s the little things that affect my mood.
I’m so not looking forward to BTS, but what can we do?! lol These ideas would absolutely help boost my mood. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so not looking forward to BTS, but what can we do?! lol These ideas would absolutely help boost my mood. Thanks for sharing! I would love to try that product.
This sounds good love to try this
Definitely needed this today!!! Thank you for posting and allowing us to start our day right
As long as the sun keeps shining I am ok thanks for the tips
I prefer to go outdoors in the fall rather than summer. Who doesn’t love suede booties,Jean jackets and big blanket scarves ??
Yeah, I do think you really need to play outside regardless of what the weather is like at least a little bit. . . . except if you are in Antarctica and then well . . . whatever. But going outside is such a mood booster.
Fortunately it does not get very cold here but these are wonderful tips.
Thanks for the review, I love the smell of liliac.
Fall is probably my favorite time of year, and it is nice to enjoy it to the fullest! Love these ideas!
I love the fall it’s so peaceful and I love to attend all fall festivities in my area. It’s the best I can’t wait I am over summer.
Great tips…just what I needed to read. Lately, I haven’t been feeling like myself and I think I need to take a step back and relax.
Oooo so many great suggestions!! I always have a trip to plan for! I’m convinced if you always have a trip coming up, even if it’s kind of far away, you will be fine!
Arg, I know that there isn’t much summer left. I love summer and am definitely going to miss it. I do try to get out during the fall here too though there really isn’t much sun buy the end of September. It still does make me feel good to outside even in the cooler weather.
I am always looking for ways to boost moods in the home, especially as we change seasons.
I am definitely starting to feel it. Its weird how the older you get the more you feel the seasons change. Thanks for the tips.
Wonderful tips! I try my best to incorporate all of this into my children and my life! Gotta stay on top of my depression!
Before even reading the article I knew scent had to be on the list. I clean home and a nicely scented home always seems to boost my mood.
I have no problems with Fall coming, that is my favourite season, I love the cooler temps and the smells of Fall!!
These are all great tips. Even though I don’t get a chance to swim as often as I like, I am always a little sad when swimming season ends, but it’s nice to be outside in the crisp air too, And I enjoy planning for Halloween.
Fall is actually my favorite time of year. It is in February I start to get in to a funk. I am a candle hoarder and always have one burning.I change my scents through the year. I think your advice to go outside and play anyway is 100%on the mark.It works for me.
Fortunately I live in Florida where the sun shines pretty much all year round, however my mood can get low during rainy season. When that happens I get out to the gym. Scents can sure lift my spirits and set a relaxing mood.
My mood always changes with the seasons. I love the destress tips you give for overcoming or at least helping with the stress of the change.
Very interesting
thanks! seasonal depression is a problem in oregon! i’m glad to have good supports!
These are really great tips but my favorite is “when in doubt get a makeover”. Nothing makes me feel better then letting someone pamper me or pampering myself!
I like eucalyptus for a mood boosting scent.
My scent is apple cinnamon, I like lots of light (or sun) being around people or just outdoors playing in the leaves with the grand kids would boost my mood this fall.
I look forward to the cooler temperatures in the Fall. Boosting my mood is something that I definitely need to do on a consistent basis. Those are some super useful tips for boosting my mood.
These are awesome tips, Thank you for sharing them with us.
These are all good suggestions, especially if you live up north!
I love Fall Season ! …but can’t go wrong with …when in doubt get a Makeover lol …Love it !!
I’m excited to try the Renew candle. The scent of lavender reminds me of my mom’s soothing scent she wore when I was little. If I was having a rough day, I would climb into her lap and close my eyes feeling the scent relax me <3
Fall is my favorite time of year!
Lighting a nice Pumpkin Spice candle always gets me in the mood for fall.
Bring on the football, cool crisp air and all the beautiful ORANGE (my fave color) decorations!
Very usefall, the end of summer can definitely get me down!
Interesting and informative without being monotonous or boring…thanks finally!
Never heard of this brand before too bad you can smell through a web page I bet it smells amazing
I love to light candles they help uplift my mood and always make me feel better , like im spoiling myself !
Thank you for all the info
Candles boost my mood in general, so I will definitely have to try these.
all great tips, thanks for sharing!
I like to use lavender to boost my mood.
Love your giveaway
These are all great tips. A lot of these are so easy to do.
All great ideas on how to boost mood once the colder weather starts. Winter is so darn long here in northern New England, so I definitely need to boost my mood during the cold, dreary days.
this is amazing ideas
love to try
Great tips! Excellent motivation as head into Fall! Candles make me so happy. I love that these ones are infused with essential oils.
Fantastic tips. Thanks Cindy! 🙂
Great tips! Bath & Body’s A Thousand Wishes makes me smile
My mood gets better as the weather gets cooler! I love getting outside during cold weather!
These are great tips! I love it!!
My mood always takes a dive when the weather starts cooling off. I would love to have one of these to lift my spirits and make my mood much better.
I always look so forward to fall, because living in Florida it gets so hot we tend to just stay inside and absorb the a/c. When the fall weather comes which could be Nov or Dec here, it’s so crisp & cool and we can enjoy the outdoors again. Thanks for sharing so many tips. I’m sure this post will be helpful to so many people. I love learning new tips!
Hi Cindy. Thank you for giving us so many great tips on how to beat the blues. It’s so hot here that I get almost giddy at the thought of fall weather and staying outdoors more. It would be so relaxing to come in and smell these beautiful scented candles while preparing dinner.
I feel like we all need a mood boost when summer ends.
#2 is fun
Never heard of this. But I do like to use scents for different moods.
Great tips. I love fall it is my favorite season.
I’m addicted to my Sol Dr Janeiro Bum Bum cream for scent of summer. I love candles that are unique and make my home cozy. Great post, thank you!
These are so useful!!
A lot of these tips I didn’t know. Thanks so much for all this great info..
Important info ❤️ thank you ❤️
Great tips! I think being grateful is one of the most important!
Looking forward to the fall weather!