{"id":521,"date":"2024-08-28T17:36:18","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T17:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/?p=521"},"modified":"2024-08-28T17:36:18","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T17:36:18","slug":"like-learning-a-new-language-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/28\/like-learning-a-new-language-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Holding on to the light"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Staying Positive as the Days Get Shorter<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the last days of summer slip away, there\u2019s a noticeable change in the air. The evenings aren\u2019t as long, the mornings come with a slight chill, and suddenly, the idea of wrapping up in a cosy jumper doesn\u2019t seem so far-fetched. For many of us, this shift can bring a mix of emotions\u2014some excitement for autumn\u2019s arrival, but also a sense of loss as the carefree days of summer fade.<\/p>\n

But just because the days are getting shorter doesn\u2019t mean your mood has to follow suit. Here\u2019s how to hold onto that summer light, both literally and figuratively, as we head into the cooler months.<\/p>\n

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  1. Embrace the Early Light<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    One of the perks of summer is those long, bright evenings, but as autumn approaches, it\u2019s the mornings that often get the spotlight\u2014literally. If you\u2019re not naturally a morning person, now\u2019s the time to start becoming one. Even a short walk in the morning sun can set a positive tone for the day. The light helps regulate your body\u2019s internal clock, boosting your mood and energy levels. So, pull back those curtains and let the light in.<\/p>\n

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    1. Keep Active, Even When It\u2019s Dark<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      It\u2019s easy to let shorter days and darker evenings become an excuse to skip the gym or that evening run. But staying active is crucial for keeping your spirits up. Consider switching up your routine\u2014maybe try a new indoor activity like yoga, or if you\u2019re a fan of outdoor exercise, invest in some reflective gear so you can safely keep up with your evening jogs.<\/p>\n

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      1. Bring the Light Indoors<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        As the daylight fades earlier, bringing more light into your home can do wonders for your mood. Invest in warm, ambient lighting or try a light therapy lamp if you find the lack of sun really gets you down. Surround yourself with bright, cheerful colours in your d\u00e9cor, or keep fresh flowers around to remind you of summer\u2019s vibrance.<\/p>\n

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        1. Keep Up with Social Connections<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          It\u2019s easy to hibernate when the weather turns colder, but maintaining social connections is key to staying positive. Plan cosy get-togethers with friends, whether it\u2019s a movie night, a dinner party, or just catching up over a cuppa. These little social moments can keep your spirits high as the evenings close in.<\/p>\n

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          1. Look Forward to the Little Things<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            While the end of summer might feel like a loss, autumn brings its own set of joys. Focus on the things you love about the season\u2014whether it\u2019s the comfort of autumn food, the beauty of changing leaves, or the excitement of festive events on the horizon. Set small, enjoyable goals for the season, like trying out new recipes or starting a cosy reading nook at home.<\/p>\n

            \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

            The transition from summer to autumn doesn\u2019t have to mean a dip in your mood. By staying active, keeping up with social connections, and finding ways to bring light\u2014both physical and metaphorical\u2014into your life, you can keep the positivity going strong. So, as the days get shorter, focus on the things that make you feel good. \u00a0There\u2019s always something to look forward to in every season.<\/p>\n

            Email: helenakoleary@gmail.com<\/a> or Whatsapp 089 2243437 to book a counselling session<\/p>\n

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            Staying Positive as the Days Get Shorter As the last days of summer slip away, there\u2019s a noticeable change in the air. The evenings aren\u2019t as long, the mornings come with a slight chill, and suddenly, the idea of wrapping up in a cosy jumper doesn\u2019t seem so far-fetched. For many of us, this shift […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

            <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            You Talkin\u2019 To Me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n


            Self-talk is the internal dialogue that runs through your head every day and can be positive or negative in nature. The language we use with ourselves can have profound effects on mood, health, happiness, motivation, worldview, and achievement of goals. Performance and success are enormously impacted by the way in which we talk to ourselves. Doesn\u2019t it stand to reason that we need to bring this knowledge to the micro-level of our everyday lives in order to improve self-care and well being?<\/p>\n\n\n\n


            In a 2022 study published in Psychophysiology, a peer reviewed journal, it was found that manipulating self-talk alters hormonal response patterns and affects respiratory and cardiovascular health as well as influence motivation and outcome of tasks undertaken. Furthermore, by developing an awareness of how we address the self, we flip a switch in the cerebral cortex which is the centre of thought, and another in the amygdala which is the seat of fear. This will move us closer to or further from our sense of self and all its emotional intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


            Positive self-talk tips: Identify automatic thoughts and unhelpful beliefs\/behaviours\u200b and reality check these thoughts, to speak to yourself as you would speak to a friend and remember that everyone makes mistakes.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=521"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":529,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions\/529"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenaoleary.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}