Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. I usually take a drive, or a hike or mountain bike ride up in the high country to view the changing Aspen trees. I am fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world, in the mountains of southwest Colorado. I am loving the crisp, cool mornings and the warm sunny days of fall, and an outside adventure of some sort.
While I soak up the fall, part of me is dreading the coming cold, dark, long days ahead. Can anyone relate? Now don’t get me wrong – I love snow, skiing, snow shoeing, warm bowls of chili and hot cups of tea – but winter can be long living in the mountains. And, I live with an auto-immune disease, which can be unpredictable and makes me feel vulnerable. So, I am starting early to fortify myself now so my immune system, mental health and my physical body is ready. After a rough winter last year, I wanted to be better prepared this year.
Here are some things you can consider to help you prepare. How can you set yourself up for success now? Don’t wait until you are sick, stressed out with the holidays, low on energy, experiencing seasonal depression, or start hibernating till spring. 😊
Bring in some grounding activities:
- Get dirty – do some yard work, whether that is pruning, raking, or other winter prep yard activities.
- Lie on the ground. Put down a blanket or mat and lie in your backyard, near a river or lake, or in a park in the sun or under a tree. Connect your body with mother earth.
- Carry a stone, like a small heart rock, in your pocket or hold it in your hands.
- Eat root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips.
Health:
- See your health practitioners. Have you had your annual physical and gynecology exam? Maybe you used to get a massage once in a while and you haven’t done that lately – make an appointment. Has your friend been suggesting you go see their acupuncturist, or cranial sacral practitioner? Do it. Have you considered working with a nutritionist? I never had until a couple years ago and she was a game changer for me.
- Do you like to get an annual flu or Covid vaccine? Schedule it.
- Consider finding some new recipes to play with this fall, incorporating some earthy fall vegetables like acorn, butternut, or spaghetti squash. Try making a hearty vegetable soup, or black bean chili. Bust out the crock pot.
- Do you have a light therapy lamp? These can be great to put on your desk, or where you drink your morning coffee for winter time for those who get some seasonal depression with less sunlight.
- Consider taking Vitamin D, and the more north you live, the more you might need. If you get your annual physical, ask your doctor to do a Vitamin D blood test with your other regular labs.
- Explore Ayurvedic eating and practices. There are some great Ayurvedic cookbooks out there.
- Tend to your skin health. The drier air can be irritating. Drink extra water, and consider taking electrolytes. I love Redmond Re-Lyte, which uses salt from the Great Salt Lake, and is not sweet. https://www.amazon.com/REDMOND-Re-Lyte-Electrolyte-Drink-Lem…
- Use all natural, high quality moisturizers and oils for your skin, avoiding anything petroleum based. I am loving my Anne Marie facial oil. Here is a coupon for $25 off! https://fbuy.io/annmarie/3ad5hz82
Organizing:
- Consider organizing (organizing is also a grounding activity!) This could include cleaning your house, your garage, your office or desk, or filing.
- What do you wish you had last winter you never bought? A new cozy blanket for reading in your favorite chair, or a new comforter? What about a humidifier, or air filter? A new crock pot?
- The holidays are coming, whether you are ready or not. Did you want to send out cards this year? Get’em ordered. Start making your gift lists and shopping now to spread out the purchases. One of my least stressful holidays ever was when I had all my shopping done by December 1.
- Get out your fall and winter clothes and start putting away things you aren’t going to need until next summer.
Exercise:
- If the cold weather and snow and ice is going to prevent you from going on walks, runs, swimming or whatever your normally do in the warmer months, make a plan for winter so you are still getting movement in most days. Sign up for a dance class, try yoga or Pilates, or visit your local rec center and check out the indoor pool. Movement is magical. Keep it going all year long.
Sanctuary:
- How might you create a cozier environment that nourishes and nurtures you? Candles, string lights, cozy blankets and pillows, a stretching area you keep set up and ready to go with a mat and blocks, an art or puzzle table with supplies nearby, fresh towels for your bathroom. Design your space!
Most of all, take some deep breaths, relish the changing of the seasons, give thanks for our beautiful Mother Earth and all she provides for us. Hug a tree. Feed the birds. Look for rainbows. Gaze at the night sky. Listen to the rustling leaves. Smell the fall air. Engage your 5 senses. Dream. It’s all beautiful.
Quote of the Week:
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” ― Maya Angelou