By: Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA
On September 22nd, we welcomed the autumnal equinox aka the first day of Fall; when night and day are nearly of the same length. Outside of the Fall fashion (I love to wear a pair of leggings with boots and a cardigan during this time of the year!), Fall blesses us with the beautiful scenery of its foliage, where the landscape silently explodes with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange as the leaves begin to fall off the trees and the birds migrate to warmer climates in preparation for the Winter season.
I used to DREAD this time of the year because I experienced such a visceral reaction to it. For many years, I was unknowingly at war with myself because I was fighting against my natural instincts and internal rhythms to slow down during this time of the year.
Our bodies contain innate wisdom; they are constantly communicating with us. It is important that we slow down and be still in order to receive the messages that they are sending us.
One way to do that is by stepping away from the fast-paced world that we live in from time-to-time. A few years ago, I decided to get curious about what I was experiencing. I started to pull back and pay closer attention to one of our most powerful teachers: nature. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I was working on society’s schedule instead of going inward to honour my own, which resulted in me feeling sad, depressed, and disconnected from myself.
I always joke around and tell people that I was a bear in a previous life because around this time of the year, I felt the desire to retreat. But what if I just needed a break?! What if, just like a bear and other animals in nature, I too needed to operate at a slower pace and hibernate?
When I started to slowly release and detach from the external pressures from society, my outlook and quality of life started to improve. The Fall and Winter seasons weren’t so horrible for me. I started to make friends with them and found things to look forward to.
Over the past several years, I have been putting into practice the things that I have learned from my observations. Below, I’ve shared some of my favourite activities that help me embrace the Fall season.
Mind
“The leaves are about to show us how lovely it is to let (dead) things go” - Unknown
While meditation and prayer are activities I engage in year-round, I surrender to the specific demands of the Fall by embracing what it calls for: stillness. In doing so, we can pause and reflect upon what has been serving us, what hasn’t, and decide whether or not we will bring them into this new season.
Body
Physical Movement
I have found that movement, whether it is yoga, pilates, and / or walking to be incredibly beneficial to my physical and mental health.
Take advantage of everything this season has to offer! What are some Fall related activities that you currently enjoy or want to explore? Maybe it’s taking the family out to a socially distanced outdoor activity such as an apple orchard to pick apples, or a pumpkin patch, or even staying local to jump in a pile of leaves! Visit, “the best places to view the fall colours in Ontario” for some more ideas.
Nourishment
When it comes to food, I try my best to consume in season foods as often as I’m able to because of its numerous benefits; such as, being more cost efficient, tasting better, and containing better nutrition to name a few.
Vitamins and Supplements
Dietitians recommend most vitamins and minerals be obtained through food sources, this isn’t always possible. For example, if you don’t consume enough fruits, vegetables or other healthy foods, a multivitamin may be helpful. During the colder seasons, I am mindful of ensuring that the following supplements are in my wellness arsenal: Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B amongst others.
Consult with your family physician, dietician, naturopathic doctor, or another trusted health professional to determine the best vitamins and supplements for you based on your unique health needs.
Hydration
During this time of the year, I enjoy consuming water (at room temperature or warmer), and herbal teas to meet my hydration needs.
I have to be honest, while eating healthy food is very important to me, I believe in balance! This time of the year, I will occasionally enjoy some hot apple cider, or a nice mug of hot cacao; and if I’m feeling for a treat, I will add some whipped cream on top, yum!
If Fall is a challenging season for you and you resonate with my experience, I invite you to try a thing or two from this blog and see how it impacts you during this season.
Stay warm and be safe Mamas!
Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA
Certified Transformational Coach | Certified Essential Oil Specialist |
Certified ARōMATOUCH Practitioner | 200 YTT , Wholesome Mind Health Coaching