After all those autumns of new notebooks and new responsibilities, cooler air and a clean slate, we still tend to see the season as the start of something. Now the focus is less on buying a bangin' backpack and more on creating systems that make life feel manageable as it gets busy again. To set you off on the right foot, we scoured studies and asked experts for the little things you can do right now to get it together and feel ready for fall, y'all.
Take a Ferris Bueller-style day off
Planning a week off from work requires a lot of, um, work. (Managing projects at the office! Researching your trip! Booking everything!) The good news: Even a single day off can help reduce burnout, increase feelings of gratitude, and possibly prevent a mental health crisis, like a depressive episode or panic attack, according to Angela Theisen, a therapist with the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. What to do with your one wild and precious personal day? Anything you want! Do some shopping. Take a hike.
Go to a concert. (Keep reading for more on all three of those suggestions.)
Find more time in nature
Raise your hand if you ever experience "time scarcity"-the official term for feeling like the minutes are flying by and there are never enough hours in the day. Take it outside! A new study from the University of Turku in Finland found that, in some cases, time may feel different depending on our surroundings. When we're in nature, it can stretch longer, and we're also better able to jump between thoughts about the past, present, and future, giving us a more well-rounded perspective on the passing of time. So while you can't technically find more than 24 hours in a day, walking in the woods can at least make your day feel a little longer.
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This story is from the September 2024 edition of Real Simple.
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This story is from the September 2024 edition of Real Simple.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Go With Your Gut - Each of us has a little voice inside that knows more than the conscious mind. It's called intuition, and it deserves your attention.
Cognitive scientists, who study how human beings think and reason, generally define intuition as knowledge gained without rational thought, and they believe it's a natural part of how our brains work. Humans have two main ways of absorbing information. One is a slow, deliberate process, in which we methodically analyze details for instance, comparing two laptop models before buying. The second happens almost instantly, and the insight feels like it came out of the blue. In fact, though, it's based on data we've gathered subconsciously over time and, in a flash, connected with our past experiences.
buh-bye, beige!
Magnolia Network star and interior designer Natalie Papier colorized a classic 1920s Oak Park, Illinois, home using lots of paint, some wallpaper, and a bunch of brilliant tricks.
What to Wear for the In-Between Weather
Will it be hot outside, or brisk and chilly? Yes! And these on-trend pieces will help you get it just right.
SAME YEAR, NEW YOU!
25 little ways to reset yourself for fall
CONQUERING YOUR INNER CRITIC
You're able to give everyone else grace when they mess up. But when it comes to yourself? Not so much.
Goodbye to All That
Burdened by the weight of wouldas, shouldas, and couldas, a former compulsive goal setter discovers the freedom of giving up.
how we live
ADVICE, INSPIRATION & A LITTLE PEACE OF MIND
YOUR CLEANING TOOLS
Spread suds, not grime! The stuff in your utility closet needs to be washed too. Here's how to get each job done.
BOOST YOUR SUPERMARKET SMARTS
Whether you love grocery shopping or hate it, you can probably stand to be better at it. So we asked insiders to chime in with their top tips.
how to do things
IDEAS, DIYS & REALLY GOOD TIPS
