5 Tips to Survive the End-of-Summer Blues

Everyone knows that stress can take a toll on you physically and emotionally. But did you know stress can also affect your skin?

A lot of people notice they break out more when they're stressed. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this is because when you're stressed, your body produces more hormones like cortisol, which causes your skin to produce more oil and, therefore makes it more acne-prone. Stress can also cause flare-ups of existing conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

A big part of learning how to take care of my skin was learning to take care of myself mentally and emotionally as well. So this brings me to the first in a new series of blog posts about self-care and positivity.

I feel like everyone I know is catching the end-of-summer-blues!

As labor day weekend approaches, people start thinking about the start of school, Summer Fridays ending at work, or the weather getting a little chilly.

I had an especially hard time after coming back from vacation. Coming back to my cubicle in my windowless office wasn't easy. But here are some tips that have helped me deal with those end-of-summer and post-vacation blues. 

1. Treat every day like summer

Try to stay in the moment! A lot of us think of labor day weekend as the last day of summer. But the end of summer doesn't mean you have to stop doing fun "summer" things you enjoy. Keep sipping on Rose, spend time outside by the park, or keep reading trashy beach novels!  

2. Think about what you're looking forward to this Fall.

Reframe your mindset! Instead of dreading the end of summer, think of reasons to look forward to fall. I'm unapologetically looking forward to all the pumpkin-spiced goodness that's on its way (shout out to Trader Joe's Pumpkin O's!). And since there aren't many trees in New York City, I try to make time for fun hiking trips outside of the city to see the leaves change!

3. Plan a Vacation

Speaking of looking forward to things... According to researcher from The Netherlands, the act of just planning a vacation makes people happier. This could be something as extravagant as planning a two-week trip to Peru or as simple as planning to stay in a nearby Bed & breakfast.

4. Indulge in more you-time

If you're feeling down, make sure to dedicate more time doing things that make you feel good. It's probably not a surprise to you that when I'm feeling down, I indulge in a longer-than-usual skincare routine with multiple masks and a facial rolling session. But "you-time" varied by person and can mean anything from reading a book, going to yoga, or picking up a new hobby.

5. Keep having fun!

Some people dread the end of summer because life can get busier. But that doesn't mean you have to stop having fun! Make sure to plan fun things to do in your spare time, whether it's a boozy brunch with friends, a rock climbing class with your significant other, or a day catching up with family.

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Talk to me in the comments! How do you deal with end-of-summer blues?

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