As summer fades to fall, it’s time to settle back into our routines, whether returning to work or school after traveling and relaxing. The pressure to give 110% all the time and maintain a fast-paced lifestyle returns, and with that comes potential burnout. With these easy-to-incorporate tips, ensure you’re in a healthy frame of mind this fall; live up to your full potential with plenty of time for fun, friends, and living your best life.
Blaze Your Own Trail.
It’s all too easy to fall into a rut of following the herd at work. Taking risks and going against the grain might seem daunting, especially when you’ve established yourself as a reliable employee and a team player. But successful business people agree that taking risks is key to career growth. Celinne Da Costa of Forbes writes, “Not all of the risks I’ve taken have paid off directly, but all of them have taught me valuable lessons about how to do better the next time around.” Embrace risks and shifts in your career path, whether it’s a big change like starting a position in a new industry, or something much smaller like taking on a new responsibility at work.
Set Goals.
Have you ever had a dream of doing something, but no idea how to make the goal a reality? Perhaps you want to run a marathon or learn a new language? Big goals can be intimidating because the path to achieving them is undefined. For maximum success, says Psychology Today, a goal should be measurable and realistic, and you can hold yourself accountable by writing the goal down and sharing it with others. Create small milestones to hit along the way to make your big goal feel more attainable (for example, run five miles by February, and ten by April).
Stick to a Daily Schedule.
The easiest way to seize the day is to plan exactly how you’d like it to go. Wake up and establish your priorities and must-do’s, then stick to them. (Tackling your most challenging task first is a great way to start the day empowered.) Follow a set schedule as often as possible: carve out set mealtimes, set times to relax and unwind, and set times to pursue hobbies or work on your goals. It takes just two months to form a habit, so a schedule can help you establish healthy routines. If you’ve always wanted to work out regularly, for example, get started now and it’ll soon become second nature.
Go to Bed Early and Give Yourself Time to Unwind.
Getting enough rest is easier said than done, of course, but do your best to wind down early and set foundations for restful sleep. Start by limiting electronic use at night. There’s a reason you keep hearing this–it’s science-backed. Instead of spending bedtime scrolling through your phone, take time to read, or listen to a podcast, audiobook, or music. Create a sleep environment for yourself that encourages relaxation: use calming room sprays in scents like lavender, invest in high-quality sheets, and–most importantly–choose a mattress that offers you the support you deserve.
Start the Day Refreshed and Ready.
Not a morning person? You can change that! Start by setting your alarm for five minutes earlier per day (and do your best to avoid the snooze button). After a few weeks, your body will adjust to the new wake-up time. On weekends, try to sleep in for no more than an hour later than your weekday wake-up time (sticking to a schedule is key for restful sleep). Open the blinds as soon as you wake up to let natural light in, and your body will instantly feel more awake. Create morning rituals that you savor so that you have something to look forward to when you get up—maybe it’s cooking yourself a full breakfast, going for a morning jog with your dog, or taking a few minutes to read or journal.
No matter how you choose to fill your days, sleep should always play an integral part of your routine. Ensure you’re getting the rest you need by choosing a high-quality mattress. The aptly-named Early Bird brand will help you wake up ready to take on the day after a good night’s sleep, thanks to quality layers of cooling gel memory foam combined with a built-in innerspring system to provide the right balance of “not too hard and not too soft” support, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Learn more about Early Bird here.
