In honor of World Mental Health Day falling this month, let’s explore YOUR mental health!
The moment many of us have been eagerly awaiting – the start of Fall — has finally arrived!
As humans, our overall wellbeing is intricately tied to nature. The amount of daylight we experience, time spent in green and blue spaces like parks and meadows or lakes and rivers, seasonal foods that are locally available to us, temperature and even air quality all impact our mental wellbeing. Think about it – your body needs more energy when the weather gets colder, so you find yourself craving warm things (hot cocoa, cozy sweaters, fireplaces) that make your body’s job easier.
Self-Evaluation: Identify How You’re Feeling.
Acknowledging your emotions can make things feel less overwhelming. Take some time to sort through your emotions in whatever way works best for you – journal, talk to a friend or spend some quiet time alone thinking. Once you have a better idea of the specific feelings you’re experiencing, you can start making plans to cope with them.
If you struggle to identify how you’re feeling because your mind is racing, try using the acronym S.T.O.P.
S: Stop what you are doing. Put things down for a moment.
T: Take a breath. Breathe naturally and follow your breath coming in and off your nose. You can even say to yourself “in,” as you’re breathing in and “out,” as you’re breathing out to help with concentration.
O: Observe your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Recognize that thoughts are not facts, and they are not permanent. If a thought arises that you are inadequate, notice the thought, let it be and move on. Simply naming your emotions can have a calming effect. Then notice your body. Are you standing or sitting? How is your posture? Any aches or pains?
P: Proceed with something that will support you in the moment – like reaching out to a friend for support, rubbing your shoulders or drinking a glass of water.
Pumpkin Energy Balls
It’s as simple as dumping all the ingredients into a bowl, mixing, and rolling into balls. Viola! Put whatever sounds good to you in these. Try the following, but substitute if you need to:
- Pumpkin
- Oats
- Maple Syrup or Honey
- Almond Butter/ Nut Butter
- Dried Cranberries
- Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, or Almonds
- Chia Seeds
- Flax Seed
- Cocoa Nibs or Mini Chocolate Chips
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Vanilla
- Pinch of Salt
Pumpkin Does a Body Good
That rich orange color of pumpkin meat is a telltale sign that it’s rich in the good stuff, beta-carotene as well as much more. According Healthline.com, pumpkin is a super food:
● Rich in beta-carotene which turns into Vitamin A
● Contains antioxidants to help protect your cells from free radicals
● High in Vitamins A, C, & E which helps your immunity
● Packed with nutrients, low in calories, & high in fiber
Do the Pumpkin Energy Balls Need Refrigeration? Yes! Be sure to refrigerate the balls once done. Place in container with lid or zip top bag. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
An Autumn Playlist while you make your energy balls if you like:
- Harvest Moon: Neil Young
- Autumn Sweater: Yo La Tengo
- Gone til November: Wyclef Jean
- Autumn Town Leaves – Iron & Wine
- Sweater Weather: The Neighborhood