How to Deal with the End-of-Summer Blues

Don’t waste the last, glorious days of summer feeling depressed that the season is almost over! Try these pick-me-ups instead.

Instructions

Step 1: Remember Indian Summer Summer may be ending, but take heart: An "Indian summer" -- a period of unusually warm temperatures -- is likely between late October and mid-November. Plus, the hot weather doesn’t just disappear on Labor Day; there will be several more days in September fit for outdoor fun.
Step 2: Plan something fun Book a special fall outing -- even a mini-vacation, if you can swing it -- so you have something to look forward to.
Step 3: Preserve the taste of summer Preserve the taste of summer by putting up fruit preserves and pickling vegetables. Make a party out of it by inviting friends over to help.
TIP: Check out Howcast's videos on preserving produce, including "How to Pickle Vegetables":http://www.howcast.com/videos/214948-How-To-Pickle-Vegetables?p=6381 and "How to Make Jams and Preserves":http://www.howcast.com/videos/218415-How-To-Make-Jams-and-Preserves
Step 4: Make a list Make a list of all the things you like about fall and winter and put it somewhere visible, like on your fridge. It will serve as a reminder that the good times don’t end in August.
Step 5: Go clothes shopping Go clothes shopping. Seeing the new fall and winter styles -- and buying one or two pieces you can't wait to wear -- will take some of the sting out of the summer ending.
Step 6: Get over it Still suffering the end-of-summer blues? Well, there’s just one thing to do -- get over it! The world hasn’t ended, only summer. And it will be back again next year.
FACT: A recent survey found that nearly half of U.S. workers felt unmotivated about returning to work after Labor Day, citing little to no time off during the summer as a main reason.