Best Practices For Autumn Self Care
Some feel sadness when we reach the end of summer, but I say, the change of season can easily feel like a fresh new start even if we are headed for colder weather and hibernation mode. For me, Autumn is my favourite season, not just because I think it’s the most beautiful with all its colours or because I love its fashion season more than summer. It’s also because the beginning of Autumn is a perfect time to do a status check and make sure we’re doing the things we need to ensure we end the year as we mean to begin the next. Are there perhaps new routines you need to put in place to be nourished through the last few months of the year? Or, are there goals you’d like to put in place to help you feel a sense of accomplishment as the year ends?
Read on for the best tips for what you can do to care for and
nourish yourself through the current season.
FACIAL TO REPAIR AFTER SUMMER & GET THE SKIN READY FOR WINTER
Our skin is the largest organ in the body and what it looks like is very much an expression of what’s going on, on the inside. Emotional stressors, hormonal imbalances, too much coffee, not enough water, blocked up lymph nodes etc. all express themselves through our skin. Therefore having a facial is so much more than just a simple ‘beauty treatment’. If we’re disconnected from our inner signalling or are not attuned to picking up what our skin expresses to us, having a facial is a great way to tune in. And having it now, in the early stages of autumn, also lets us put into practice ways to care for it morning and evening. This can help us reinforce to ourselves that we’re worth caring for and help us begin and end the day doing just that - like a self-care practice, we can create a ritual around it. Getting feedback on our skin from a qualified professional can also help us find what other things beyond the lotions we put on our skin will be nourishing for our bodies at this time. If dehydration is present then having more water is a good idea. If the skin seems agitated and shows signs of stress then maybe a better bedtime routine and deeper breaths are needed. Either way, starting your fall by investing in your skin is a wonderful way to kickstart routines, practices and rituals that will help nourish your body through the colder weather.
GOING FOR WALKS OUTSIDE
As we’re transitioning from warmer weather to cold, it can be nice to help the body transition and adjust to the new season. Going for walks outside is a great way to do this as it allows the body to slowly get ready to spend more time inside. In summer we tend to be more social and it’s easy to fall into depressive states when we are suddenly more drawn in again. However, by spending time helping the body and mind adapt we can help ourselves to prepare for and embrace the beauty of this new less social season.
Also, nature is a healer, it brings calm and connection to our minds, hearts and bodies - even in colder seasons. And, it can be great to use walks in nature to remind ourselves that there are forces greater than us. Growing up in the modern world we are so used to being in control and needing to do and fix. This can sometimes cause us to bring heavy pressure onto ourselves, but in turning to nature and how it naturally shifts we can remind ourselves that some things we need to let flow on their own. We can’t control everything - because we’re not meant to. All we can do is decide how we will navigate what is happening around us and who we want to be for ourselves and those we love. This is a practice that calls for acceptance of circumstances and situations as they are, and it takes reflection. Both can be found when taking walks in nature.
SAVE UP FOR A SAUNA BLANKET IN WINTER
Saunas have been around for thousands of years and are deeply rooted in relaxation and socialisation for many cultures. However, in recent years numerous studies have popped up with results showing that dry saunas hold a magnitude of health benefits and can fiercely help support our longevity. In fact, according to doctor and longevity expert Peter Attia, the largest published series on saunas shows a benefit in all-cause mortality with a relative risk reduction of 40 percent and absolute risk reduction of 18 percent.
Dry saunas help improve cardiovascular and brain health to the point where it works as a preventative measure against dementia. Also, it helps improve sleep and induce relaxation, causing stress levels to decrease. Saving up and investing in a sauna blanket can therefore be a great thing to do for your health and wellbeing this autumn and a particularly lovely way to practise self-care during winter when it's very cold outside. Being a ‘cold body’ kind of person, I personally can’t tell you the difference it made for myself last winter. Several times a week I put aside 20 minutes just for me to get warm in my blanket and it made a big difference both to my sleep, nervous system and general body temperature. It’s important to note though, that the minimum effective dose needed is 4 x 20-minute sessions per week at 80 degrees Celsius. And, in case you are wondering, there are many different ones to choose from, but I myself got one from HigherDose.
MOVEMENT ROUTINE TO SUPPORT US THROUGH WINTER
As noted in the beginning, autumn and winter can easily be a time of depressive states as the weather gets colder and the days shorter. Therefore it’s vital we do what we can to lift our spirits and care for our whole selves. Movement is a great thing to do for this! However, the colder and darker the days become, the more difficult it can also be to get started on a nourishing movement routine if you haven’t already. Therefore my advice is this; Start now! Don’t wait until January to give yourself a fresh start with a new year, new you kind of attitude. These things hardly ever work anyway. Seek to end the year, the way you mean to start the next instead and take advantage of the fact that we’re still on summer time for about one more month.
When it comes to movement it’s important to do things that light you up. Things you find fun, but also things that support your body to work in the most efficient way possible (read more about movement for longevity here). Perhaps you try out something new like dancing because it will bring you joy and expansion. Many studios start new fall seasons around this time so maybe there’s a beginners class you can join. Or perhaps you know you need to have movement dates with a friend to get yourself excited about going and you try out a new sport like tennis or paddle tennis to do together with a friend once a week. It’s also good to look out for what your body needs more of. If you know you’ve got a busy fall planned out with lots of work or child commitments try to support yourself with a weekly yoga class. This will help balance your nervous system and give you an hour weekly to simply focus on yourself and your breathing. It could be that you know you need more cardio or to build muscle strength, then prioritise signing yourself up for this kind of training. If you want to be more direct in your approach to your health and wellbeing, perhaps this is the season when you’ll finally invest in a personal trainer, who’ll support you to move better and improve your health overall. Whatever you choose, start now and make sure you find a routine that you can stick to. Prioritising yourself and your health for one hour each week will bring you so much more than physical gains. It will also build confidence, self-trust and more space to breathe ♡
I hope this article was helpful. In support and with love,
To book a movement session with Mai, inquire here.