From Summer Ease to Fall Frenzy
In July, I wrote about “Why Summer is the Best Time to Support Your Fall Self” (link below), highlighting why most people feel better in summer:
- Warm weather = increased circulation and activity
- Lighter schedules and vacation time
- Slower rhythms
- Fresh, seasonal foods
All of these contribute to decreased inflammation and the body’s innate ability to heal.
Now here we are — fully launched into fall. Work schedules resume, kids are back in school, calendars are packed, homework battles reappear, carpools multiply… the list goes on.
How do we keep those dreamy summer feelings while adjusting to all the things?
The Power of Routine
One thing that helps: Routines
As a former “wolf” (take the Sleep Chronotype Quiz if you haven’t already – link below!), I used to resist the constraints of a schedule.
Then I had babies — and their circadian rhythms demanded structure. Our days revolved around:
~ Early bedtimes and early mornings
~ Meals at consistent times
~ Outdoor time and movement
~ Reading and naps
These are all zeitgebers (a fancy word for signals that help set our circadian rhythm).
And guess what? They work just as well for adults.
https://sleepdoctor.com/pages/chronotypes/chronotype-quiz?srsltid=AfmBOopeC43ficE_3ruDftgzb9RKC9tcMfqV8KzQ_mmYYEJ5YSvK_5bs
A Simple Tip to Start Now:
Keep your weekday schedule on the weekend.
If you stay up late on the weekend, your body thinks you’ve switched time zones. When your alarm goes off at 6:00 on Monday morning but your body is expecting 7:00, or even 8:00, the lost hours of sleep contribute to “social jet lag”.
What this means is that your alarm says “It’s GO TIME!” but your body says “Just two more hours!” Like with actual jet lag, you wake up groggy because for two days your body has been fast asleep at the very hour your alarm is now demanding you wake up.
It can be days before you’re back in your rhythm – and then it’s the weekend again and the cycle starts over.
The best advice from sleep experts?
Keep a consistent sleep/wake schedule, even on the weekends.
You’ll begin the week feeling grounded instead of scrambling to find your footing.
Coming Up Next Week:
Next week, I’ll share specific strategies from our fall book club pick — Dr. Casey Means’ Good Energy.
We’ll explore why these small changes matter so much, and more ways to keep your vitality strong when life gets hectic.
Warmly,
Dr. Krista
Olive Says:
I’ve perfected the art of slipping away around 9 PM while the humans are still buzzing around.
On my way, I pause, give them a look, roll my eyes, and silently declare: “It’s time, humans…”
Then I disappear into the bedroom to honor my natural rhythms.