Tag Archives: autumn health

Seasons & Universal Cycles, Self Care

Autumn Alchemy: Embrace the Season’s Wisdom for Immune Health and Inner Peace

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As the leaves turn golden and the air carries a crispness unique to autumn, it’s a signal for us too, to slow down and shift our focus inward, both metaphorically and physically.

Autumn is a season of transition, a time when nature slows down and prepares for the quietude of winter. It invites us to mirror this natural cycle and embrace practices that nurture self-care and boost our immune health. It encourages us to align with the natural rhythm of letting go, conserving energy, and nurturing inner wisdom.

The gentle energy of autumn reminds us this is the time to prepare both our mind and body to weather the challenges of the dark winter months ahead. Autumn is the perfect time to adopt specific holistic practices that resonate with the season’s energy of release, conservation, and introspection.

Align with Autumn Energy for Optimal Wellness

Here are some holistic health practices to consider incorporating into your autumn wellness routine. By integrating these practices into your day, you will enhance your well-being and align with the natural cycle of the season.

Embrace the Art of Letting Go

The turning colour of the leaves is a beautiful reminder of change and re-growth and the cycles of nature. Just as trees shed their leaves, autumn is the perfect time to release what you no longer need, be it stress, clutter, or negative habits. This can be a therapeutic process, making room for new growth and positive energy.

Slow Down with Gentle Exercise and Ample Rest

Exercise remains important during autumn but keeping it gentle can boost the immune system without depleting energy.

Incorporate gentle, grounding movement into your routine. Yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong can balance your energy and support your immune system. These practices encourage deep breathing, which calms the mind and is vital for maintaining healthy respiratory functions. Focus on poses that encourage deep breathing and relaxation.

As the days grow shorter, allow yourself more time to rest and sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night to rejuvenate your body and strengthen your immune system. Aligning with the rhythm of the season can be incredibly restorative.

Nourish With Seasonal Foods

Eating seasonally not only supports local agriculture but also provides your body with the nutrients it needs during this time. Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that’s essential for good health.

Savour the flavours of autumn. Embrace the harvest of the season by incorporating foods like apples, pumpkins, squash, pomegranates and hearty greens into your diet. These foods are not only in sync with the season but also packed with vitamins and antioxidants that support immune health.

Warm your soul with soups and stews. There’s nothing quite like a bowl of warm soup or stew to comfort you on a chilly autumn day. Choose seasonal vegetables and spices like turmeric, black ginger, ginger or cinnamon, that not only taste delicious but also offer immune-boosting benefits.

Some foods such as pears, apples, beans, eggs, flaxseed, leeks, mushrooms and root vegetables ‘moisturise’ us from within. These foods help combat the dryness that affects our throat, skin and can lead to constipation.

Tap into Inner Wisdom with Meditation

Autumn is an ideal time for reflection and the contemplative nature of the season invites us to seek inner awareness. As our pastimes grow gentler and more leisurely, we can begin to turn our attention within to our own thoughts and dreams. It allows us to gain clarity before setting plans and goals we want to initiate when the arrival of Spring heralds a new beginning.

Meditation can help you tap into your inner wisdom and find direction, clarity and peace. It’s a practice that can enhance mental resilience and emotional well-being.  There are many different kinds of meditation and dedicating just a few minutes each day to the practice can help reduce stress, improve focus, and maintain a sense of inner peace.

Create calm and reduce stress and anxiety with a mindful walk amongst the autumn foliage. Use the beautiful autumn scenery as a backdrop for mindful walks. Pay attention to the crunch of leaves underfoot, the earthy smell of the air and the array of colors around you to ground yourself in the present moment.

Support Autumn Immunity with Natural Remedies

Protecting the immune system is paramount as we head into cough, cold and flu season. High doses of vitamin C, combined with zinc and vitamins D3 and K2 can offer an extra layer of defense as winter approaches.

Consider incorporating herbs like Astragalus and Reishi mushrooms which are known for their immune-boosting properties. garlic is another herb traditionally used to boost the immune system. Take raw garlic at the first sign of a cold for immediate benefits. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

With the drop in humidity, staying hydrated is crucial. What better way to do it than with water and herbal teas?   A hot water concoction with lemon, ginger and manuka honey, serves as an antibacterial flush to soothe the throat and support the body’s natural defenses.

Autumn Self Care Rituals

Autumn invites us to become more introspective and allow for inner reflection, awareness, and planning. This season encourages us to find peace within ourselves and to let go of personal dramas that do not serve our well-being.

Take your self-care cues from nature.  As the trees shed their leaves or drop their seeds and gumnuts, they begin the process of drawing in their life force to conserve their energy. Having extracted all the nutrients from summer-nourished leaves they shed what no longer supports and serves them and turn inward to focus on their centre or heart. With this process they strengthen their reserves and ready themselves for the winter ahead. Strengthen your reserves in mind, body and soul by also turning within.

As autumn settles in it is time to put your self-care practices firmly in place. This is the time to treat yourself with compassion and kindness. Remind yourself autumn is a season of gentleness and wrap yourself in TLC.

Cultivate observation and awareness without engaging.

Autumn encourages us to find peace within ourselves and to let go of personal dramas that do not serve our well-being.

Cultivate a habit of gratitude and reflect daily on what you’re thankful for. Keep a Gratitude Journal where you write down what you’re grateful for at the end of the day. This positive practice can have a profound impact on your overall well-being.

If you’re someone who is always there for other people, now is the time to turn that caring inwards and say ‘no’ to others. You can’t be there for others unless you care for your own needs first.

Make time for yourself. Set aside time to unwind with a good book. This can be a wonderful way to relax and escape into another world, reducing stress and supporting mental health.

Practise deep breathing exercises to improve respiratory health and reduce anxiety. Breathing properly is especially beneficial as we prepare for the winter months ahead.

Make time during this season to reflect on your achievements and areas for personal growth. Setting intentions for the coming months can be a powerful exercise.

Connect with Nature

The gentle golden light and softness in the air invite us to get outside and connect with the natural world. If you have a garden, this is a great time to prepare it for the next season. Engaging with the earth is an excellent way of grounding.

As the trees release their gifts collect fallen leaves, acorns, and pinecones to create nature crafts. This can be a fun and therapeutic way to connect with the natural world.

Autumn Alchemy

The greater cycles of the Universe continually turn and when we turn in harmony with them, we become more balanced. Aligning yourself with the cyclical rhythms of nature allows you to tune into Universal energy to live holistically in a state of harmonious balance.

When you engage with the turning of the seasons and honour your needs on all levels you honour yourself.  Honouring the needs of your body strengthens your immune system which responds by staying healthier. Honouring the needs of your mind creates more focus and clarity. Honouring the needs of your heart creates peace and happiness. And when you honour the needs of your soul it responds with deep insight and vision.

Autumn is a beautiful reminder of the cycles of life, of the importance of letting go like the falling leaves, and of embracing the peace that comes with simplicity and self-care. By following these wellness tips, we can ensure a healthier, more balanced transition into winter.

Remember, taking care of yourself is not just a seasonal practice, but a way to maintain health and happiness year-round.

Disclaimer

The Information contained in https://happyholistichealth.com is for your general health information. It is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes. The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

This post first appeared at https://womangetwise.com/

Seasons & Universal Cycles

Transitioning With The Seasons – Autumn Health

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Autumn Tints

 

With the equinox fast approaching we are reaching one of the two points of balance in the year, the other being the Spring equinox. The equinox marks the doorway into Autumn, the season of maturity and benovolent harvest. This is when the activity of Summer has slowed and is the time to begin to focus inward and to turn to slower and gentler pastimes.

Autumn energies are about contracting and gathering inwards. When you slow down in preparation for the stillness of the coming winter, you attune yourself to the more contemplative nature of Autumn which allows for inner reflection, awareness and planning. As you slow become conscious that it’s time to embrace peace and avoid personal dramas in your life as much as possible.

The seasons of transition, Autumn and Spring, are also the time when the body becomes very susceptible to health problems. Making a few adjustments in you habits can make a big difference to how you weather Autumn and in turn how “well you are for winter”.

 

Eating For The Season

Eating with the seasons is one way in which you can support this transition. Autumn is a time when you need to nurture and support your body in readiness for winter. It is the time when your lungs and colon move into the spotlight. If your health and your immunity is weak then you are likely to experience either coughs, breathing difficulties, sinus problems, or other respiratory problems or gut problems like constipation /diarrhoea.

The lung and the colon are both organs of elimination and relate to “letting go” on all levels. In addition, both these organs store grief and sadness, and if you have these emotions that you have not resolved they will in turn physically affect the health and functioning of both the lungs and the large intestine. Health problems experienced in these organs are sending you the message to “let go”, physically and emotionally.

Many people’s body heats up over the second half of summer. By autumn this inner heat leads exacerbation of dry conditions such as dry itchy throat, dry skin or constipation.

Dry Autumn Illness

If you experience ailments from dry conditions of the organs, like constipation, dry throat or eyes, or excess thirst increase foods to support them. Such foods are seaweed, pears, apples, string beans, tempeh, ground flaxseed, eggs, oysters or clams. Some other moistening foods to add are mushrooms, leeks and root vegetables, baby spinach and cabbage.

Also eliminate, or at least minimise, bitter and spicy foods and coffee, alcohol and cigarettes as they are dehydrating. Spicy food will worsen any problems associated with dryness.

To help clean out your colon increase high fibre foods, particularly whole, unprocessed grains and fibre rich vegetables and fruits. Try replacing white bread with wholegrain or wholemeal breads and white rice with brown rice. Bran is often used for its high fibre content but it can easily irritate the colon. Add more grains, nuts and legumes, like kidney beans.

Spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and wheat grass will help tone your large intestine. And of course steer clear of fast and processed foods which are high in fat and salt and low in essential nutrients and fibre.

This health tip is great for you to adopt at any time

 

Moist Autumn Illness

Autumn is also the time when you get an increase of illness from an excess mucous forming fluids. If you are experiencing sinus problems use a steam bath with some good quality eucalyptus essential oil added for extra benefit. There are a number of foods that can increase phlegm production including all dairy foods (milk, cheese, ice-cream, cream) as well as eggs.

Autumn is the time to introduce modest amounts of pungent foods to help clear out the mucous in the lungs and intestines. As well as ginger, garlic and coriander you could also eat more mustard, horseradish, onions, celery, cabbage, broccoli, radish, daikon, and seaweeds. You need to use a number of these each day. Lotus seeds and lotus root are also very beneficial for lung health. These helpful ideas may help you deal with nasal congestion.

 

One of the most simple ways to prevent catching the flu and other respiratory illnesses of the season is to wash your hands frequently, especially before eating.

 

And If You Still Get sick Anyway…

Keep up your health to protect your immune system but if you do get sick there are a few supplements that will help your recovery.

Vitamin C can be taken in high doses in either a powder or tablet form. When combined with zinc, Vitamin E and selenium it will help fortify your immune system. Make sure to add Vitamin D as most people are low in this important vitamin. With less sun around in the cooler months there is much less chance for your body to synthesize sunlight into Vitamin D.

There are a number of herbal medicines available in tablet form which support immunity. Astragalus membranaceus, Hydrastis Canadensis, Sambucus nigra help the mucous membranes of your respiratory and digestive systems . Garlic is excellent for respiratory illness.

Eating a few cloves of fresh garlic is easy and very helpful at the first sign of a cold. You could try peeling the cloves then dipping them in honey if you can’t face the taste. The cloves need to be both cut and raw. When I feel a cold coming on I supplement with fresh garlic by adding a crushed raw clove on to the top of dishes like pasta, soup or stews. I eat it with the first mouthful without mixing it through the food. This way the garlic is still raw but the taste is not so overwhelming as it is when eating a whole clove.

Don’t forget to drink lots of water. It is worth drinking some of the many herbal teas specific for autumn ailments. Thyme tea is one that can calm constant coughing. Hot water with lemon and manuka honey provides the perfect antibacterial aid to flushing out flu.

 

Get Active, But Keep It Gentle

This is the time to take part in activities that will boost your immune system and increase the oxygen levels in your blood. This leads to you feeling more alert, more energetic, and more positive, but at the same time does not deplete your vital energy.

Yoga, t’ai  chi or qi gong are very balancing and perfect for autumn. The breathing exercises and stretching (particularly in yoga) will serve you well through the winter.

Try to avoid heavy aerobic exercise outdoors in the cooler autumn months, as it may reduce vital energy or qi, and weaken your system. However, brisk walking, or bike riding (pushbike not motorized!) will increase your lung health.

 

Clear Your Surroundings

Just as you need to purify the air in your home after having it shut up for winter during Spring, in autumn you also need to keep the air in your home clean in readiness for closing your home up over the cooler months to come. Open the windows whenever you can to catch the last bits of summer warmth.

Bring live plants into your home. Not only do they help to maintain good oxygen levels in the air but many, such as cactus, also help to offset the effects of EMF’s (electromagnetic fields). They are particularly good to place in areas of high EMF’s such as beside the computer.

Positive ions can contribute to many health problems, including irritability, depression, anxiety, emotional unbalance, fatigue, allergies, headaches, and immune dysfunction. Salt lamps are a great way to neutralize the positive ions in the air in your home.

While you’re clearing the air in your home take time to clean out the corners as well so that you have a pleasant clean space to spend the winter. Maybe add a few beautiful colourful items to brighten your home over the darker months ahead.  Try some of these ways to detox your home.

 

Sleep…Sleep…And Sleep Some More

Lastly, one of the really great ways to protect against the ailments of winter is to get plenty of sleep. This is the time to push yourself to rest, rest, rest. Instead of sitting up at night get to bed early so you can rise earlier in the morning. If you have trouble getting to sleep here are some natural ways that you can help yourself. Simple ways that may help are to take a warm bath or meditate before retiring. But, most of all be conscious that this is the season to be gentle and treat yourself with a little ‘TLC’.

best natural health tips for autumn

 

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site.