Hello Beautiful October.

In what seems like the blink of an eye the sun has slipped below the horizon for another year and the crisper weather and darker nights have begun to draw in. I  just got back from a fantastic outdoor retreat this weekend and we certainly felt the change in the weather. The air was much cooler and everything felt damper. This time of year can be a struggle as we transition into the dark and the light begins to fade. I can only imagine how much more difficult people will find this if lockdowns and socialising restrictions are put in place.

So what can you do to ensure you are looking after yourself this time of year?

I often recommend to my clients that they mimic what is happening in the natural world to stay healthy and happy. if you look around in nature the trees are beginning to drop their leaves and start their self-preservation routine. You too need to finish up ongoing projects, scale back your workload and ramp up your self-care routine ready for the cold.

Some of the top tips I can offer at this time are.
Food – Increase your nutrient-dense warming foods – Liver and Heart, slow-cooked meats and stews. warming broths include lots of seasonal squashes and easy to digest carbs for energy.
Light –  As the daylight begins to fade It is important to gain as much exposure to sunlight as possible during the daylight hours. Make sure you get outside as soon as it is light and take some deep breaths to wake you up. I also highly recommend investing in a SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Lamp to help boost your hormones and vitamin D levels. If these lamps are a little out of your price range you can also opt for a chicken incubator lamp with a  clear infrared bulb. I have one of these and it works just as well.
Exercise  – Moving the body this time of year is also really important to strengthen your immune system and keep your energy levels high. I would recommend spending less time on cardio-based activities and more time on stretching and strengthening. Think yoga and short bursts of weight training. if we are to mimic nature we too need to be mindful of our energy. A walk outside also does wonders for the soul.
Go Outside  – No matter how uninviting it feels to go outside it is highly beneficial for the soul. Being in nature aligns your body with the frequency of pure source energy. it also helps to regulate the heartbeat and boosts feel-good hormones.  Going outside when it is raining may seem very unappealing if your focus is on the wet and cold. if you view the rain and wind as cleansing and purifying it helps massively! I promise 🙂
Cold Water – You will probably think I am crazy but exposing yourself to cold water on a daily basis will do wonders for your immune system. Not only does it boost feel-good hormones it also helps to transfer your dormant white fat cells into brown fat which makes your body much better equipped for burning fat and keeping warm. A cold shower a day really will keep the doctor away.
Community – it is so important to connect with your like-minded community on a regular basis during the darker months. Especially if we are forced into isolation and lockdown. Find a local class or support group (yoga breathwork or meditation or anything else that brings you joy) or join something online. I have a number of classes and events live on Instagram and zoom you can connect into if you feel the call. See my event page here.
Self Care – It is likely you will find your energy levels dropping as we transition further into autumn. Listen to your body and honour your energy. Take naps when you need to, spend time alone nurturing yourself ( think warm baths, self-massage, curling up in bed with a good book). Most importantly don’t be afraid to say no if your energy doesn’t permit you to stick to plans etc.

I would love to hear your thoughts on these and If you have any you would like to share I would love to hear them.

I wish you a delightful October and I hope to see some of your lovely faces either online or in person.

Alison

xx