5 Anxiety and Stress Tips for September Blues
Hi all, it’s El here and I create all of the illustrations, look after socials and support Kim with partnerships. I’ve been reflecting on the shift into September and how I’ve noticed things slowly changing, and not just the grey weather!
I don’t know about you - but this month feels like a big shift. It almost feels heavier and the unwanted anxiety likes to creep in. If this resonates with you, you are not alone. I’ve got a few tips that help me ease into the new month and loosen those September blues.
#1 Creating a morning routine that you ACTUALLY love
In all honesty, I used to sort of dread and overthink routines and started comparing mine to influencer style ones. I soon came to realise over the years that it’s about finding what works for you. One size does not fit all! (Oh, and you have to actually love it too)
My hack:
I don’t like to overhaul my brain all at once (especially with morning anxiety, things feel more intimidating!) - just those small, manageable tweaks. I’ve started to set up a bit of a morning routine where I wake up 5 mins earlier to have a warm drink, and just sit. I find that social media can overwhelm my brain in the morning, so I need to give it a chance to wake up. It’s very minute, but helps me start the day a bit fresher. I also like using the session ‘It’s my day, my way’ in our app. It helps me recenter my thoughts and allows me to gain more control over my day.
#2 Prioritising self care (Yes, really)
I know, everyone talks about self-care. But when I actually started making time for myself, I realised how much bigger the effect actually is. It really doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, or a face mask and bubbles.
My hack:
Once a week, I have a non-negotiable “me time” session. This week, I decided to cook myself a meal that I haven’t had in a LONG time. It was tasty and I realised just how much I missed it. I also sunk into an episode I’ve been meaning to watch. It’s about carving out those little moments of joy. Speaking of, I also love to use the session ‘Wind-down with joy’ in our app. It’s full of affirmations like: “I choose to protect my joy, and cherish the feeling that joy brings.” Isn’t that lovely? I thought so too.
#3 Getting outside (even when you really don’t want to)
If I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed, naturally I just want to curl up! (Which is ok of course) But I’ve found that taking a little stroll outside really boosts my mood.
My hack:
Even just stepping outside for 10 mins with some music (or silent strolling) and feeling that fresh air helps me un-muddle my brain. I walk in the same park often, but I enjoy trying to find new angles of sights I’ve already seen before. On the topic of walking, my go-to session is usually ‘Calm’ in our app. It always reminds me to look up at the world around me and our expert Anise makes you feel less alone!
#4 Staying connected with others
Sometimes if I’m having a wobble, it’s easier to retreat or isolate myself. But the thing is, staying connected really helps me ease that anxiety. Just talking to someone about your day or opening up to those who really just ‘get it’ can be a huge relief.
My hack: I don’t always tend to feel social, but I try to ensure that I check in with people that make me feel good - even if it’s just a quick message or phone call.It reminds me that I don’t have to carry everything solo! Also, I work from home a lot, so I enjoy breaking it up by having conversations with people who live in my building - even if they are small! To top it off, I like to listen to‘Let go of the chatter’ in our app. It really helps me align my focus with questions like “what kind of letting go would appeal to you today?.” I feel a lot clearer after, as it allows me to break things down first - rather than catastrophising stuff.
#5 Making your space a sanctuary
When I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, where I am can either lift my mood or drag it right down (especially when my desk is messy) I’ve found that just making a few cost-free tweaks to my space helps me feel more relaxed and in control.
My hack:
I definitely don’t go all out with redecorating stuff - I just like to focus on tiny things that make my space feel like a cosy nest. It could be tidying up my room, changing the sheets, lighting a nice candle that’s been laying around or rearranging bits to create a more calming mood. It’s amazing how much better I feel when my space feels more calming and welcoming. It’s like creating a mini sanctuary to retreat into after a long day. To round things off, I enjoy re-visiting the session ‘Wind down with awe’ in our app. I particularly love the line “I look for beauty in the mundane.” It makes me feel like I can romanticise these activities.
And so,
September doesn’t always have to feel like a heavy anxiety-fest. By giving these simple hacks a try, I’ve found ways to manage the stress and uncertainty that comes with changing seasons. Remember that you’re not a superhero, you’re a human. Take things one day at a time - it’s ok to lean on support if you need it. You’ve got this sh*t.
This article was written by El Elliott, the design guy at Clementine - who’s had his fair share of September overwhelm.