Summer is the season of socialising and activity and what a summer it has been!
I have been soaking up the warmer temperatures and completing lots of jobs as I take advantage of the longer days.
Perhaps you have noticed that you felt more energetic and sociable too but with the balmy warm days behind us and Autumn fast approaching, it can bring with it a sense of sadness as we say goodbye to the light and time spent outdoors.
Transitions can be tough on our well-being
There is a link between lower moods and the reduction of daylight and therefore it is important to adapt our self-care routine as we transition through the seasons. It is also not uncommon to enter Autumn feeling depleted due to the busyness of summer so, try my top tips to support your seasonal well-being.
5 ways to recover from the summer and transition into Autumn
Number 1: Routine
Summer can be a season of excess and with the children off of school, social events and holidays it can throw our routines out of whack.
It may sound boring, but our bodies and minds crave routine and a daily schedule goes a long way in helping to ground and stablise our energies and mood.
Try to keep to a set routine when it comes to sleeping and waking. This helps to ensure that our bodies have adequate time to rest and repair and will also help to keep our immunity strong as we head towards the winter months.
Review your upcoming week every Sunday and plan in chores, tasks and self -care activities to help keep daily life balanced. It is also a great time to think about what wellness practices’ will serve you for the remainder of the year so, begin to plot those in too.
Number 2: Get outdoors.
You may not feel like going out as it gets colder but being outdoors has huge benefits for our levels of wellness
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is not only crucial for bone and brain health, but it also supports our immune system and levels of well-being. It is often called the sunshine vitamin and if you think about how the sun makes you feel, you can begin to understand the correlation between this vitamin and our moods.
The sun is our main source of vitamin D and so, shorter daylight hours will affect our levels. Top up by getting outdoors and exposing your skin for between 10-30 minutes. Being outdoors will also give you the added boost of fresh air, head space and a change of scenery which is a welcome release from the cocoon of our home and office.
You can also use your diet to obtain levels of vitamin D. Incorporate mushrooms and if you eat eggs and fish (wild salmon and mackerel), you can try these too, but either way, I still recommend supplementing with a quality Vitamin D supplement. I use Neal’s Yard Vitamin D tablets which are also suitable for Vegans. You can find it here.
Number 3: Move
When you move and exercise it helps to release feel-good hormones; creating a healthier body and mind. If you stopped or reduced exercise over the summer, now is the time to get some movement back into your life.
Movement is great to rebalance excess energy or to release the sluggishness we may be carrying.
Set a goal
I find that setting a fitness related goal really helps me during this time of the year. Couch to 5k, mastering a yoga pose, or entering a fitness related charity event can give you a double boost of doing good, feeling good.
Number 4: Adapt your diet
It is no mistake that nature provides us with different fruits and vegetables during the seasons. As the autumn approaches our taste buds change and we crave more warming and nourishing foods rather than the light fresh salads of the summer.
What to eat and drink
Instead of reaching for the breads, heavy carbs, processed and ready meals, transition to homemade porridge and soups full of root vegetables and lentils which are both substantial and comforting.
Keep your system warm and hydrated by drinking herbal teas. Think lemon, peppermint, fennel, nettle, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger.
If you don't know what is in season, here is a link and why not go along to a local farmer’s market to support local traders and buy fresh organic produce.
Another great addition are B vitamins as they help with energy production, support our nervous system by reducing fatigue and boosting our moods. While you can supplement, B vitamins are found in an array of foods. Eat wholegrains, pulses, seeds, nuts and dark green leafy vegetables.
Number 5: Letting Go
Taking our cue again from nature, Autumn is the season of transformation. The trees begin to shed their leaves and we can too.
What can you let go off that is no longer serving you?
This could be in the form of old beliefs, habits, relationships, jobs etc. This process of letting go promotes growth and the space to bring in new life experiences.
Tip: Sitting in meditation or any activity that allows us to switch off from the act of doing is a great way to get into the gap of transformation. Try an indulgent soak in the bath, spend a Sunday afternoon listening to some soulful tunes, doodle or draw or put on your bed socks and snuggle down with a good book.
Check out my other blog post which contains a video of a qigong practice and further tips to help you transition into Autumn.