ADJUSTING TO AUTUMN
We are at the equinox with equal light in both hemispheres. For those in the south, it means our days are slowly going to get shorter and shorter, and we need to start adjusting our bodies accordingly.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year and one of my favourite things is walking through masses of dried leaves and hearing the crunch, but that also means things are drying out, including our skin. It is a good time to increase our healthy fats such as coconut oil, ghee, nuts and salmon. I like using oil as a moisturiser as well to protect and nourish the skin.
Both in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, they believe the start of the season is when we are more susceptible to illness and it’s important to boost our immune system. You can do this in the following ways:
Get more rest and sleep than usual as our bodies adjust to the change in the atmosphere. You may find this starts to happen naturally with less daylight hours.
Start eating more warming foods, moving away from the raw foods of summer and into light soups and stews. Introduce the root vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato, onions and garlic, and above-ground, squash and pumpkin. Energy-filled nuts and seeds, like walnuts and sunflower seeds, are also great choices.
Include warming spices such as fennel, cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger and pepper. You might even like to make a warming tea from ginger and turmeric as an immune booster.
Keep exercising and continue to make it a part of your day. There is a tendency now it's more cosy inside, and we don't have to get into swimwear, to let go of our fitness routines. However, it’s important we keep moving our bodies, even if it is just a brisk walk out in the autumn sunshine.
In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is connected with the lungs and breathwork is a powerful way to keep our lungs healthy. I recommend Mahat Yoga Pranayama (3 part yogic breath) where you breathe equally into all parts of the lungs both on the inhale and exhale. This is my favourite breath for immune boosting. Try it here.
Now is a great time to cleanse and let go of toxins. Dry body brush every day, and have lemon in warm water upon rising to start the body’s natural detoxification process.
Think also about detoxing life-wise. Like losing the leaves off the trees, it is an opportunity to declutter, throw out and get organized. In Chinese medicine, Autumn relates to grief and letting go. You can be in tune with this by letting go emotionally of old beliefs, patterns and judgements that may be blocking you from moving forward. If you need support with that Kinesiology can help to clear the pathway.
It’s time to move into a new phase.