There’s something about the end of summer that makes me crave a little more structure.
As much as I love the slower pace of summer, the later nights, changing schedules, travel, and general unpredictability can make it harder to feel grounded. And when you live with migraine attacks, changes in sleep, meals, activity, and your environment can be especially important to pay attention to.
So this fall, I'm not trying to overhaul everything at once. Instead, I'm focusing on a few simple habits that help me ease back into a routine and feel more grounded.
Here are 5 things I'm focusing on as I get back into a routine this fall.
1. Get Back to a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Summer can make it easy for our sleep schedules to drift: later nights, later mornings, and different routines from one day to the next.
As we head into fall, I'm working on getting back to a more consistent bedtime and wake-up time.
I'm not aiming for perfection. I'm simply trying to give my body more consistency as we transition into a new season.
Sleep is also something I pay close attention to because changes in sleep can be a trigger for some people who experience migraine attacks. It's definitely a trigger for me! Creating a consistent sleep routine is one simple step that can help you feel more prepared for the day ahead.
2. Create a Consistent Eating Schedule
This is another area where I'm trying to create a little more structure.
During the summer, meals can easily become unpredictable. So I'm making an effort to plan meals ahead and batch cook more often.
And honestly, I'm very ready for crockpot season. 😂
Having meals planned also makes it easier for me to maintain a more consistent eating schedule when life gets busy.
Again, I'm focusing less on perfection and more on making healthy routines easier to maintain.
3. Ease Back Into Exercise and Other Activities
If you've taken a break from your normal workout or activity routine over the summer, you don't have to jump right back in at 100%.
I'm reminding myself that it's okay to ease back into activities gradually.
That might mean working out a few days a week instead of every day, starting with shorter sessions, or simply giving yourself some time to rebuild your routine.
There's no prize for doing everything at once.
A gradual return to exercise and other routines can make the transition feel much more manageable, and makes it easier to build habits that actually last.
4. Create a Calm, Less Stimulating Environment
This is one I'm especially mindful of.
As schedules get busier again, I want my home to feel like a place where I can decompress rather than add more stimulation.
For me, that might mean dimming the lights in the evening, putting on calming music, lighting a candle, or using a diffuser with scents I know I can tolerate.
If you're sensitive to light, sound, or certain smells during migraine attacks, paying attention to your environment can be particularly helpful.
You don't have to completely change your space. Sometimes small adjustments can make it feel noticeably calmer. Here's a few of my favorite products for winding down.
5. Get Outside and Adjust to the Changing Season
And finally, I'm making an effort to get outside.
As the weather starts to change, I want to give my body time to gradually adjust to the cooler temperatures and changing season.
Even a short walk can be a nice way to get some fresh air, move my body, and take a break from whatever is happening around me.
For me, getting outside isn't about squeezing another task into my day. It's about creating a little space to slow down and reconnect with my surroundings.
A Gentle Approach to Getting Back Into a Routine
I think it's easy to look at a new season as a reason to completely overhaul your routine. But I'm trying to approach this fall differently. Instead of trying to suddenly become more organized, more productive, healthier, and more active all at once, I'm focusing on a handful of small, manageable habits.
Consistent sleep.
Regular meals.
Gradually getting back into activities.
A calmer environment.
Time outside.
Nothing complicated. Just simple ways to create more consistency as we transition into fall.
Give yourself permission to ease into fall.
