Autumn Self-Care: Nurturing Your Body and Mind This Season

Autumn really is my most favourite time of year - putting on a warm cosy sweater,, enjoying the darker evenings with a warming Chai, and snuggling down after an active, intense Summer. That 'back to school' feeling always makes me feel motivated and inspired and as the vibrant colors of autumn transform the world around us, it’s a great time to adjust our self-care routines to match the changing seasons.

Embrace the crisp air, falling leaves, and the opportunity to nurture yourself through mindful practices and healthy habits. Autumn might be cold, wet and dark in terms of the weather, but energetically it brings a cool, dry, and light energy that can make us feel a bit ungrounded, scattered and even anxious,

To stay balanced and energized during this shift, here are some simple ways inspired by Ayurveda that will help you stay cozy and grounded as the weather cools, to make the most of this time of year and support your body and mind.

• Warm and Nourishing Foods: With the colder weather many of us instinctively swap the cooling summer salads and lighter food for warming comforting foods like soups, stews, and cooked grains. Add seasonal root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes to your meals with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg which also helps maintain a healthy digestion.

• Stay Hydrated: Autumn winds can be drying not just for our skin but also our insides and digestive system, so it’s important to drink water (ideally warm, if not hot) or herbal teas to stay hydrated in small sips throughout the day. I always start my days with a boost for my digestion and immune system of hot water with lemon, ginger, turmeric and some honey.

• Oil Massage: A gentle self-massage with warm sesame or almond oil can do wonders for your skin and help you feel more relaxed. Try massaging your body before showering to nourish your skin and calm your mind, and why not add an essential oil that you like - my seasonal favourite is cardamom... bliss...

• Establish a Routine: Let's face it - autumn is more than a little bit upredictable. We are in transition with weather, new projects etc.., and we're even in transition to the transitioning, with about 3 weeks on either side of 'official' autumn to the next phase. So creating a steady daily routine can be a grounding antidote. Make time for rest, exercise, meditation, and if possible keep to regular meal times to maintain a sense of balance and stability. And on that note, since our metabolism goes down in autumn and it'll be even slower in the evenings, so perhaps make lunch your main meal of the day and only have something light in the evening to keep your digestion steady and stable, and improve your sleep.

• Stay Active: Keep your body moving with activities that match the season’s energy, so nothing too intense or dehydrating, think more grounding and nurturing. E.g. walks in nature, stretching, gentle Yoga (Restorative or Yin is lovely and close to the ground) or dancing. This helps to keep your circulation flowing, your body supple and your energy levels up. Whichever activity you choose, consistency is more important than intensity.

• Practice Mindfulness: Autumn invites us to slow down and reflect. Take some time to enjoy deep breathing, journaling, spending time in nature or even a walking meditation e.g. Inhaling counting 4 steps, exhaling counting 4 steps - super simple and super effective to stay in the present moment. These moments of stillness can help reduce stress and foster a sense of calm.

• Prioritize Sleep: As the days grow shorter, it’s important to get plenty of rest. Create a cozy bedtime routine with a warm bath or shower, herbal tea, turn the lights down low, perhaps swapping Netflix for reading, or at least minimize screen time an hour before bed to help you unwind for a peaceful night’s sleep. If your mind is racing and you find it difficult to switch off - try some warm almond milk with a sprinkle of nutmeg for a soothing, calming natural sleep aid. They say the ideal bed time is no later than 10pm so that we can wake up naturally before the sun rises, without the very jarring foghorn of an alarm in the morning... sounds perfect to me since I'm usually in bed well before then...

This autumn, focus on nurturing yourself by aligning your self-care routine with the rhythms of the season. Incorporating these simple practices (or even just one or two) into your daily routine, focusing on balance, warmth and mindfulness, will help you stay grounded and vibrant. Take this time to slow down, reflect, and admire the beauty of the changing world around you.