The shift in seasons offers a prime opportunity to review daily habits and consider a September reset.

Preparing for the approaching winter does not require a dramatic lifestyle transformation; subtle, practical adjustments can significantly improve how we feel

September is a natural time to reassess your wellbeing. After the looser routines of summer, work, school and everyday responsibilities often return to a more predictable rhythm, making it easier to notice which habits are supporting you and which are leaving you feeling tired, stressed or disconnected.

It’s also an important opportunity to prepare for winter, when shorter days, reduced sunlight and spending less time outdoors can affect mood, sleep and energy levels.

But resetting your wellbeing doesn’t need an expensive new routine or a complete lifestyle overhaul – it’s about identifying a few realistic changes that can help you feel more emotionally and physically supported over the months ahead.”

I love the idea that September is a chance for a reset. It’s the start of the new school year and feels for me like a second New Year. So if you’ve promised yourself that with the summer heat finally behind us you’ll prioritise your wellbeing again, there are plenty of tips to help.

How about trying one or two of these ideas to get you started and get yourself winter ready!

1)  Carry out a personal wellbeing audit

For one week, record when you feel most energised, anxious, irritable or mentally drained. This can reveal which commitments, environments or relationships are affecting you. Once identified, you can take steps to change the parts of your life that are having a negative effect if you want to.

2)  Make sure you get outside every day

As the weather starts to deteriorate, many people find themselves stuck indoors all day, particularly if they have an office job. It’s important to remember to get outside, even if it’s only briefly.

Before you launch yourself headlong into to-do lists and a frenzy of productivity, remember that just because we love the idea that September is a fresh start, don’t assume that our bodies have read the calendar. Our nervous systems carry the stress of the year so far – so this September why not try getting outside every day?

Even a 10-minute walk can help regulate your nervous system, so don’t worry about the weather – just go!

Choosing a regular time to get outside, by linking it to your morning coffee or lunch break, for example, can help you maintain the habit throughout winter.

 5) Notice your breathing

Although we obviously all breathe, many of us never think about it at all. But September could be the time to give your breath some conscious thought, as breathing properly directly helps regulate your nervous system.

Just take a minute to notice whether you’re breathing quickly, shallowly or holding your breath when you’re concentrating – breath holding while texting or typing is more common than you think.

Then build in micro-pauses. A few slow, conscious breaths between meetings, before the school run or after reading emails can help interrupt the stress cycle. Looking after your nervous system will help you to make meaningful changes that last well beyond autumn.

6) Plan connection before you feel isolated

Plan for the winter months now by arranging a regular social connection. Arrange a regular walk, meal, class or phone call now, so social contact is still a part of your routine when motivation starts to dip.

7) Find your rhythm

Play a tune that gets your energy pumping on your way home or after work. Think of it as your anthem and take a moment to savour it – everything from what you see, hear and feel internally and externally.

But you shouldn’t be staring at a screen when your tune’s playing. This is your three minutes to celebrate yourself, the day you’ve had and what brings you joy.

Maybe start doing this before the weather deteriorates so you can connect back to those summer feelings when you listen to the same song in the winter.

Starting habits while they feel easy can be incredibly beneficial as they’re more likely to become established routines that you can rely on during times when they feel less accessible or more difficult to maintain. If we can start these activities while the days are still light and we feel good, we’re giving ourselves the best chance to keep doing them when times might feel harder in winter months.

8) Create a winter support plan

If you usually feel miserable and unmotivated during the dark days of winter, make a plan now so you have easy places/people to turn to if you’re feeling low.

Note the habits, people and professional resources that help when you’re struggling, and include the warning signs that would tell you it’s time to seek additional support.

To summarise, a useful wellbeing reset shouldn’t simply give you more things to complete, it should help you understand what drains you, what restores you and what support you may need when life becomes more demanding. Choosing one or two targeted changes in September can create a much stronger foundation for the winter months.