Autumn is the time to gather inward, to nurture and support your body and slow down in readiness for the stillness of winter. Allow time for inner reflection to develop awareness, so you understand what is no longer serving you. See what you need to let go off, and strip back as winter arrives, so you are ready for the rebirth in springtime.
Nature’s powerful cycles can destabilize us, especially the cold and potent force of gusty winds. This can have an emotional effect also and we may feel depressed, nervous or experience self-doubt.
Implement these dependable tips now:
Clear your surrounding
Keep the air clean in your home in autumn, so you are ready to close doors and windows in the cooler months to come. Open the windows when you can, to catch the last bits of fresh air, before it’s too cold. Create a clean space to spend winter in, and add colour to uplift and brighten your surroundings.
Have live plants in your home, as they maintain good oxygen levels and negative ions in the air: many plants, such as cactus also help to offset the effects of EMF’s (electromagnetic fields). These plants are particularly good to place in areas of high EMF’s, such as beside the computer or near the television.
Positive ions can contribute to many health issues, such as allergies, anxiety, emotional upsets, fatigue, depression, headaches, irritability, and immune dysfunction. Salt or selenite lamps, are an easy way to neutralize the positive ions in the air in your home.
Essential Oils
In autumn, an increase in illness can occur, due to not slowing down and not getting enough rest and good nutrition. If you are experiencing fatigue, sinus problems, or feeling generally run-down, using essential oils can help. Try these applications:
Steam bath – fill the bath, add 5 – 20 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of any vegetable carrier oil.
Steam inhalation – add boiling water to ceramic or stainless steel bowl, add 2 – 4 drops of essential oil, cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl and breathe in the steam to help thin any mucous and drain it. You can do this 3 – 4 times daily.
Diffuser – add 3 – 5 drops of essential oil to 100ml diffuser for a small sized room and refresh every few hours as needed.
Some essential oils to boost immunity include orange, cypress pine, lemon, lime, eucalyptus, peppermint, niaouli, cypress blue, rosalina, kunzea or fragonia essential oils.
Transitional foods
Introduce modest amounts of pungent foods, which help clear out the mucous in your lungs and intestines. Add garlic, ginger, and coriander, mustard, onions, broccoli, radish, daikon, and seaweeds.
The soundest way to create a shopping list for the autumn-winter transition, is to cross reference the autumn and winter seasonal produce. Choose foods from both seasons and eat more of these foods.
Stop eating foods that can increase phlegm, such as dairy foods (milk, cheese, cream).
Be Active, but keep it gentle
Boost your immunity and increase the oxygen levels in your blood with exercise. This helps you feel more positive, energetic and alert, but make sure you don’t go beyond a comfortable limit, or you will deplete your vitality.
Yoga, tai chi, qi gong, a brisk walk, hike or bike will increase lung health and help you feel grounded and balanced in autumn. Breath and stretch often. Avoid heavy aerobic activity, especially outdoors.
Stay rooted in your purpose
As the temperature drops and the plants lose foliage, their energy returns deep into the roots. We, like plants, can thrive during the autumn months if we focus on our purpose.
Step back, and think about what truly brings value to your life. Consider setting some intentions, for what you need. Move deeply into these in winter, dig deep. That way, once spring comes along, you will be ready to blossom.
Natural sleep cycles
As the days shorten and plants shed their leaves, it’s clear that nature is signaling us to nourish ourselves, slow down, and get extra quality sleep. Take care of your sleep hygeine, to improve the quality of your sleep, and also your waking hours.
Going to bed at the same time each night, helps your body prepare for bedtime. Diffusing calming essential oils, like chamomile, lavender, or geranium to prepare your body for deep rest. Aromatherapy can be a powerful tool to support personal healing. Use beneficial bedtime bath salts, or an aromatherapy cream rubbed on your feet before bed.
Enjoy the full beauty of autumn – let go, inspire and feel free –