Late summer begins with heat, but is the turning point into the cooler energy of Autumn. As summer draws to a close, the warmer weather, longer days and time spent outdoors begins to fade.
School or work starts or deepens, the temperature is cooler, and the days shorten to signify the end of summer. For some people, especially those who love the sunshine, disappointment and depression can creep in in this bitter-sweet transition. However, autumn can be fruitful, as you have the opportunity to reset, take stock of your life, set new goals, and get organized for the upcoming season.
To help you transition more smoothly from the summer season, here are 7 ways to transition gracefully into autumn.
1. Pack away your summer gear
Wash, pack and discard this season’s supplies. Now is a good time to launder summer clothing, determining what you need to hold on to for another season and what can be donated, or given to younger relatives or friends.
Do the same with your outdoor supplies like tents, kitchen supplies, chairs, pool toys and other items you’ve collected over summer. Box everything up and store them away for next year.
2. Find your flow
Our routines tend to shift with the seasons. For many families, autumn is when kids begin a new school year and new extracurricular activities begin. For others, it’s a time to focus on work, whether it’s starting new projects around the house, or a formal office environment.
See it as an exciting new chapter in life, and place your intentions on setting new goals and feeling joyful.
As you set your new routines, consider your responsibilities, health and wellness as well as your favorite leisure activities. Make a list of what’s most important to you and your family. Your list might include exercise, sleep, proper nutrition, scheduling time out, a meditation practice, organizing activities, making time for fun and leisure and establishing a new hobby.
3. Centre and ground
Stand on the earth, draw from its living energy; through soil, rocks, and water. Feel earth’s energy come into your feet and legs, direct it up through your spine, allow it to reach up to the sky, through your arms, hands and out through your head.
4. Create a meal plan
Autumn means new seasonal fruits and vegetables are available at your local farmers’ market or supermarket. Revisit your meal plan and design one that includes fresh seasonal veggies and fruits and explore new recipes for more grounding foods like root vegetables, green vegetables, legumes and fish as you move into the cooler months.
Remember to shop around the outside perimeter of the supermarkets, where all the fresh foods can be found. Minimize processed foods that come in a box, can or are frozen and do your best to get all the colors of the rainbow in your diet each day, to provide all the energy frequencies of colour.
Make it fun and involve the whole family when preparing your meals. Cooking together and taking it in turns can be life-changing.
Plan and prepare snacks and meals for school or work in advance. Pack smaller containers with nuts, seeds, fresh-cut veggies and fruits to keep you healthy and hydrated when you’re on the go.
5. Eat according to the seasons
Too much cold food and drink and refined sugary sweets can impair the digestive system; don’t over do icy sweet drinks or sugary treats, as the cold creates lethargy in the body and a foggy head, while the sugar makes you racy. Include warming foods like fennel, ginger, mustard greens, pumpkin and squash. To stay attuned to each season, use this seasonal guide.
6. Daily exercise or movement
Our physical, emotional, and mental well-being means we need an active fit body. At least 30 minutes of exercise or movement daily is the key. Do your best to make sure you’re doing some form of cardio to get your circulation moving, as well as strength-building exercises to develop strong bones and muscle mass. Stretching to loosen and lengthen your muscles, getting them back to their normal resting length is also important. Choose an activity that you enjoy and make it fun, so you keep doing it! I recommend Sass Group Fitness online classes.
*Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven’t exercised for a long time or have chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis.
7. Begin meditation
Too much time in left brain activity e.g. planning, thinking or worrying can get you out of balance. Learn to switch off, and access the right creative brain more often to slow down mental chatter. Try this meditation to reconnect. Be in the present moment (no multi-tasking) by turning your attention to your breath, and bodily sensations (use the meditation above); keep coming back to yourself and be still and self aware.
Need more support in autumn?