Are you still dreaming of those hot summer days, spending time outdoors with friends and soaking in all the sun? Transitioning into a new season is not easy, and now that fall is here, we need to try adapt to the seasonal change. This includes nutrition, movement, self-care, and looking after our immune system. 

Days are starting to get shorter, colder and darker, hence not only do we need to adjust mentally to a new season but our bodies need to also adjust physically.

Nutrition

As we turn to colder and cooler weather, our bodies start to crave warmer and heavier foods compared to the summer months. Colder temperatures mean that our bodies burn more energy and thus need more fuel throughout the day to sustain us. This requires a shift in our eating habits, where we move from cold and light foods to warm stews and roasted vegetables. For example, a nice alternative to a summer salad would be, a warm stew with lentils and kale (don't forget to add some garlic for immune & gut support). Fall comes with lots of delicious produce including, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, kale, turnips, apples and pomegranate.

Tea lover or not, a favourite beverage during this period is home-made ginger tea. This simple hot beverage improves digestion, aids the immune system, fights infection and much more. It’s as simple as, cutting slices of ginger and pouring over hot water. Squeeze in some lemon and a tea spoon of local organic honey (poor quality honey is diluted and full of sugar, which actually weakens the immune system).

Movement

As the days get colder and shorter, we don’t spend as much time outside and there’s a slight decline in physical activity. There’s a Danish saying that suggests that there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Motivating ourselves to go outside during colder months makes it easier if we turn it into a social outing and of course, buckle up properly. This could mean meeting a friend for a stroll at your local park or forest, or if you seek more adventure, going to the mountains for a proper hike.

Alternatively, there are plenty of indoor sports and activities you could try to stay active and fit throughout the winter. This includes yoga or pilates, going to your local gym, indoor swimming (wonderful workout for the body), indoor climbing, badminton, just to mention a few.

There are countless fun activities out there, the most important is to engage in any form of movement during the colder months. When we exercise our body releases endorphins, giving us ‘the feel good’ feeling. In addition, staying active is crucial for our overall mental and physical health, and essential in maintaining a healthy immune system. Learn how to support your immune system in the next blog post. 

Slowing down

As we transition from a hot and buzzing summer, the autumn season allows us to take the foot off the gas pedal and slow down. Just like in nature, it’s time for hibernation. Slowing down gives us the opportunity to reflect how far we have come and where we are headed once spring comes around.

By slowing down we also allow ourselves to self-care a little bit more as we tend to spend more time indoors. This can include taking a warm bath, snuggling up with a blanket and a book, making a warm drink and calling up a good friend, baking your favourite pie or cookie recipe, spending time in the garden. The point is that we are all different, and the given activity should match the state of our nervous system and what we might need in that moment. Let’s not be fooled by social media, self-care is not about creating another to-do list for yourself but tuning in with your body and listening to your needs and how to best support yourself in order to recharge and replenish your energy.

If you feel stuck, and unsure how to support yourself through seasonal changes or how to best slow down, get in touch and let’s chat!