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By Lauren Wilkin
A clinical psychologist is encouraging people to "soft reset" this September instead of waiting for January, saying it's the perfect time of year for it.
"September is psychologically a much better time to reset than January," says Dr. Karen Stewart, a licensed clinical psychologist.
"Our habits, relationships, and the routines we establish now, in September, can either support us through winter or make those months feel considerably harder," she adds.
The expert explains that since childhood, we've associated September with going back to school, getting back into a routine, and starting something new.
"That feeling doesn't disappear just because we're adults and haven't set foot in a classroom in decades," she explains.
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Dr. Stewart says that summer is unstructured and often feels easier than other seasons.
"In the summer, we tend to travel more, stay out later, eat and drink differently, spend more money, and let routines slide.
"September is the natural moment to say, 'Okay, that was a lot of fun. Now, what do I want the rest of my year to look like?'"
But Dr. Stewart says it's not the time of year to completely transform your life.
"September should be a "soft reset" and not launch you into another massive self-improvement project.
"Instead, focus on getting yourself back on your regular pre-summer schedule; return to a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, monitoring food and drinking, and check in with yourself on how you want to spend the rest of your year."
And aside from a physical reset, Dr. Stewart says it's important to look after our mental health, too.
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"This is also an excellent time to clear some of your emotional bandwidth.
"Reevaluate certain friendships to see if they are still providing you what you need.
"Reevaluate whether that summer romance is truly what you're looking for and reconnect with yourself," she advises.
"The summer months are very easy to forget doing your regular self-care rituals that we normally love, for instance journaling, meditation, attending religious services," she says.
"Our world naturally gets smaller as the days become shorter and we spend more time indoors.
"Our habits, relationships, and the routines we establish now, in September, can either support us through winter or make those months feel considerably harder."
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