Fall into Connections!
Ahhhh, the air is crisp and the leaves are falling. There are so many wonderful things that come with this season as we transition into winter. Yes I said it, the snow is coming. We tend to find ourselves huddled in our homes trying to get cozy instead of connecting with our community, which is great for our mental health. I like to take full advantage of what fall has to offer and stay connected with my community before we don our snow suits, hats, boots and mitts, then take it all off for an emergency pee to do it again and again.
End of Harvest
What a fantastic time to stay connected while outside. Invite friends and family over to harvest your garden. What kid doesn’t like digging in the dirt for treasures like potatoes, carrots and beets. Being in nature is fantastic for mental health. Turn that harvest into a community meal prepared with everything you grew that season.
Leaves, Leaves and More Leaves!
I can fondly remember raking up all the leaves in the entire neighborhood with my siblings and friends so that we had the biggest pile of crunchy leaves to jump, fall and dive in. Being physically active always supports mental wellness. Help out a neighbor that might not be as mobile as you by raking their leaves. Enjoy them before bagging them up. Being altruistic is good for your heart and your mind.
Diwali
I was honored to enjoy my first Diwali last year when we went to India to meet our adoptive son, Hani. It is the festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of good light over evil light. Gigantic nightly fireworks, light displays and floating candles are enjoyed around each community during Diwali, as well as the sharing of gifts and sweet treats with those you cherish the most. All of this releases endorphins and dopamine, your happy chemicals which in turn support mental wellness.
Consider staying connected with your community before you hunker down for another winter by enjoying all that fall has to offer.
Becky Morrison is a Nurse Practitioner based out of Calgary who has specialized in mental health for over a decade. She is finally, after years of infertility, a mother of two busy little boys, and doting fur mom of her gentle giant, Stella. She is, and always will be, a strong advocate for mental wellness at all ages.
