5 Wellness Practices to Help You Transition into Fall with Ease
If you have been following my blog, you may have checked out my post from last week. It was all about how eating with the seasons can help create ease in your body as it transitions to the changing patterns in nature. I heard from several people that they’d like to know other ways to support the changing of the seasons as they are finding the transition into fall rough on their skin and energy as well as disruptive to their daily routines.
There are several wellness practices that can assist your body in this transition and I wanted to share my favorite top 5 here!
1. Daily Self-Massage with Oil
Self-massage improves circulation, moisturizes your skin, and is warming, grounding and calming in nature. Daily self-massage will help to offset the cooler, drier air and the impact it has on your skin and energy. Choose an oil that is warming in nature such as sesame oil, sweet almond or jojoba oil. Before you shower, massage a small amount of oil into your skin— beginning with your face, neck and shoulders— massaging your entire body all the way down to your toes.
2. Take a Mindful Moment Everyday
With the increase activities and routines of the fall and the diminishing daylight, you may be feeling more scattered and as though your energy is more quickly depleted. Adding a mindful moment into your day will offer you a major return on your time investment! Choose a time that works for you and practice consistently. Set a timer for 1-5 minutes. During this mindful moment you might simply breathe deeply and attempt to remain connected with the rhythm of your breath. You might set your intention for the day and visualize yourself living this intention throughout the day. You might journal or pray. Whatever you do in this mindful moment, allow it to be centering, calming, grounding and peaceful.
3. Add A Restorative Yoga Posture to Your Evening Routine
Try this restorative yoga postures before going to bed. It will help calm your mind, body and nervous system to help prepare you for deep sleep.
Reclined bound angle pose: Recline in bed or on the floor, step your feet in towards your hips, allow your knees to open out to the sides and bring the soles of your feet together. Place pillows under your knees for support. Allow your arms to rest comfortably alongside your torso or rest your hands on your abdomen. Breathe deeply and remain in this posture for 2-5 minutes.
4. Eat Cooked Vegetables
This time of year, your body will most likely prefer warmer foods. All summer you may have been like me and enjoying salads, smoothies and raw fruits and veggies as snacks. As the temperatures begin to dip, my stomach responds to raw food in a completely different way! This is related to our digestive fires and the response our body has to the changing temperatures. In order to keep your digestive fires stoked and happy, add in cooked vegetables. Simply steaming, sautéing or lightly wilting your kale, spinach and arugula rather than having raw greens will make your digestive system oh so happy!
5. Create a Consistent Daily Routine
The scattered feelings that come with transition and change can be eased by having a regular, consistent routine. Simple practices such as going to bed and waking at the same time each day, regular mealtimes and integrating the other wellness practices listed above into a plan and structure each day will provide the routine. Following your desired routine will offer you a sense of being grounded and calm and will help alleviate scattered energy. Once you create your specific daily routine, challenge yourself to follow it for one week and take notes on the impact. I hope it will help you feel balanced, peaceful and comfortable in mind, body and spirit.
When you begin integrating these five wellness practices into your daily routine, let me know how they impact your life including your energy, mood, body and mind as you continue to transition into the fall season!
