The Medicine of Autumn: Five Ways to Nourish Yourself This Season
Hello readers, happy fall! If you’re any thing like me, you eagerly await the month of October and the magic it brings. As summer cools down and the air becomes perfectly crispy, I can’t help but feel refreshed and energized. When the cozy quilt of fall colors arrive, I feel invited to embrace change and beauty; and when the leaves start falling, I’m reminded there is beauty in letting go.
Here are five things I want you to do for yourself this autumn season:
Move your body: whether it’s a slow and steady stroll, a short bike ride, a yoga class, pickle ball, Pilates, stretching, lifting, running, or hiking, make time for intentional movement. Make time for your physical health. Consistent and moderate exercise go a long way. Exercise facilitates emotional and hormonal regulation. Are you mad? Exercise. Are you sad? Move. Are you anxious? Walk it out! Are you stressed out? Lift weights! Feeling disconnected? Try a yoga class with a friend! Think of exercise as medicine.
Get outside: before the days get shorter, try to get outside as much as you can! Soak up the sun and get your vitamin D on. Think of the sun and fresh air as medicine.
Spend intentional time with the people you love and cherish: Reach out to someone and find opportunities to connect this season. Healthy and close relationships are essential for overall well-being. Share what’s on your mind, ask questions, talk about your hopes, your fears, your plans and your joy. Think of friendship and companionship as medicine.
Ground yourself: there are many ways we can help ourselves feel more present and safe in our daily lives. In a society that thrives off of emotional reactivity, consumerism and an “I’m right and you’re wrong” kind of mentality, it’s easy to get swept up in the division, chaos and stress of it all. So PLEASE, do yourself a favor and turn off the news notifications for a week, maybe even a month. Spend less time on social media and make more time for: deep breaths, meditation, laughter, and quality time. Paint, dance, sing, create, whatever it is that makes you feel alive and present.
Embrace: Embrace who you are and the uniqueness you bring to the community around you. Honor the individuality of each person you interact with, for we never truly know what someone else is going through. Personally, I am a big fan of complimenting others, whether it be strangers at the gym or the grocery store, or my closest friends, embrace genuine kindness! Embrace genuine compassion. Think of kindness and compassion as medicine.”