Post-Holiday Blues: Crafting a Blissful Return to Routine and Beating Stress After the Summer

SEP 14, 2023

Dear Beautiful Ladies,

As mid-September arrives, many of us bid adieu to our holidays, send our kids back to school, and resume our routines. September's start, depending on where you are, may have been a bustling, slightly stressful return to early mornings and activity planning. It's as if the world awakens from its summer slumber under the September sun. ☀️🌻

This time of year is a paradox. Returning to routines brings happiness, offering comfort and order, yet a touch of melancholy sets in as we bid farewell to another summer of carefree days with friends and family, free of worries. 😔🌊

In navigating the perimenopausal and menopausal journey, it's vital to avoid stress and anxiety as they can negatively impact our hormones and worsen menopause symptoms. In this edition, we'll explore how this season of change impacts well-being and share tips for finding balance during this transition. Let's embrace the autumnal equinox and make the most of this beautiful season of life. 🍂💫

10 TIPS FOR A SMOOTH POST-SUMMER TRANSITION INTO YOUR WORK-LIFE ROUTINE

🌻Give Yourself Transition Time: Avoid rushing back to work immediately after your vacation. Allocate a couple of days to return home, unpack, do the laundry, do groceries, and settle back into your routine. This gradual re-entry can help ease the transition.

🌻Prep Your Home: Arrange for a cleaner to tidy up your house before your return, so you walk into a clean and welcoming environment. This can instantly reduce stress and make the adjustment smoother. You can even send yourself a “Welcome” postcard from your holidays ☺

🌻Plan Your Appointments Wisely: Try to avoid scheduling any unpleasant or stressful appointments for you or your family in the first week after returning. Give yourself time to readjust before diving into demanding tasks.

🌻Prioritize and Organize: Plan your first week back with a clear set of priorities. Organize your tasks and focus on the most essential ones to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

🌻Schedule Self-Care: Set up self-care routines ahead of time. Book a massage, hair appointment, sauna visit, or any activities that make you feel pampered and relaxed. Having these plans in place gives you something positive to anticipate.

🌻Connect with Friends: Arrange meetings with friends and family in advance. Share your vacation experiences, look at pictures together, and relive the memories. Consider planning a themed dinner or cooking a meal from your vacation destination to extend that holiday feeling.

🌻Exercise and Outdoor Activities: Incorporate physical activities into your routine, like hiking, biking, or yoga. Spending time outdoors and staying active can help boost your mood and energy levels.

🌻Journal Your Memories: Write about your vacation experiences and the things you enjoyed the most. Reflecting on your journey can bring back positive emotions and help you appreciate the moments you've had.

🌻Set New Goals: Use the post-vacation period as an opportunity to set new goals or intentions. Whether it's a new hobby, a fitness target, or a learning opportunity, having something to work towards can invigorate your routine.

🌻Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness or meditation exercises to stay present and reduce anxiety about returning to your daily life. Mindfulness can help you appreciate the beauty in everyday moments.

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

William Arthur Ward

Suffering from the post-holiday blues, feeling stressed, overwhelmed or sad can make us more susceptible to illness. 🤒 Often, we come back from warm destinations to colder climates and forget to dress warmly. ❄️☀️ Instead, we keep wearing the summer clothes we got from sunny places like Greece. 😎

But here's a secret weapon: vitamin C! 🍊 It's a fantastic way to boost your immune system and stay healthy year-round. And guess what? It's not just great for warding off colds; it's also a superhero nutrient for women in menopause. 🦸‍♀️💥Check out my blog to learn which foods boost vitamin C and what can deplete it from your body.

One aspect that can often feel overwhelming when transitioning back to daily life after a long weekend, holidays, or during more stressful phases is managing our meals. 😅 I've found that the most effective way to regain control is by planning for at least five days and batch cooking for two days in advance for the entire family. 🍲👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Here, I'd like to share three delightful and visually appealing recipes from food.journalista with you. 🍽️👩‍🍳 

While the video demonstrates these recipes for three single servings each, you can effortlessly adjust the quantities to suit your family's needs. This approach not only simplifies your post-break routine but also ensures everyone enjoys delicious, home-cooked meals. Bon appétit! 😊

FASHION TRENDS FALL/WINTER 2023

As we bid adieu to those flattery summer dresses, it's time to shift our focus towards our warmer wardrobes. Join us as Carol Calacci provides a quick glimpse into the exciting fashion trends from the New York Fashion Week for autumn and winter 2023

GREAT WOMEN

Even if Breast cancer awareness month is in October, I want to raise your awareness to THIS incredible woman TODAY: Dana Donofree. Dana, 

A seasoned fashion industry pro, founded AnaOno, a lingerie brand, after her breast cancer diagnosis at 27. In 2017, AnaOno made its runway debut in a groundbreaking show called "The Revolution for Pink" during NY Fashion Week, supporting breast cancer research.
This year's show, "(R)Evolution," co-produced with #CancerCulture, aims to donate $25,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with a goal of $50,000. Dana's journey has transformed her perspective, and now, she's making a meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer. 🌸💪 
https://www.anaono.com/pages/about-us

Have a great rest of the week!

If you feel like nothing's working for you and need guidance during this menopause phase, check out my coaching program here

Also do check out the fabulous menopause holistic kit here