Having just passed the equinox, our daylight hours are getting shorter and our warm temperatures are slowly trending downward. After the abundance of activity and blistering heat of summer, fall can feel like a welcome reprieve. However, just like fall gently transitions us from summer into winter, we need to transition our minds and bodies from the fast pace of the summer to the slower, more relaxed pace of fall.
Transitions don’t happen in an instant. As Abraham Hicks says, a train going 100 miles per hour in one direction can’t simply change directions all at once. It’s too hard on the contents of the train. The same is true for us. If we went from the heat and activity of summer directly into the freezing temperatures and slower pace of winter all at once, we would certainly be in for a shock.
If you need help accepting that summer is over, here are a few suggestions that can make the transition easier.
Ceremonially pack away your warm weather clothing.
Ceremonies have always marked transitions. It may help if you make a ceremony out of putting your summer shorts, T-shirts, and dresses away for the season. First, gather all your summer clothes from the closet and dresser and lay them on your bed. Now ask yourself if you’ve worn your “skinny” shorts in the last couple of years? If not, time to give them away. Is that rip in your T-shirt now less of a fashion statement than a gaping hole that threatens to turn into a permanent nip slip? Time to let it go. Sort all your clothes into save and donate piles. When you’ve got everything sorted, immediately take the donate pile to your favorite donation box, so that you’re not tempted to change your mind. Then bid your summer clothes a fond farewell (for now) and neatly place them in their winter home.
Slow down your exercise routine.
In the summer, our exercise routine is often full-on action from SUP on the lake to long bike rides along the trail system. As we move into fall, it’s a good idea to include a few slow, grounding workouts to our repertoire by adding a yin or restorative yoga class to balance out those more active workouts. Another great way to slow down is to go on a long hike and breathe in that crisp, cool air and listen to the leaves crunching under your feet. Yard work is good exercise, too. Get outside and rake leaves, put your garden beds to sleep, and organize your tool shed, so when spring rolls back around, they’ll be ready to go.
Take a cue from the kids and learn something new.
Kids aren’t the only ones who benefit from education. As we get older, we tend to get busy and forget to put a priority on our own learning. However, it’s vital to keep our brains active throughout our lives. Doing puzzles, learning a new language, and reading challenging books may help reduce your risk of dementia. There are also online courses for just about everything these days or if you’re more inclined, check out courses at your local museum or community college. There’s always something new to learn.
Take advantage of the harvest from your local farmer’s market.
Not only is it better for our digestion to eat seasonal and locally grown produce, it’s better for the environment and supports our local farmers! Late season crops like winter squashes, greens, carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts are abundant in the fall and can last well into to winter, if stored properly. They’re also good veggies for soups as we transition from cold, raw foods in summer to warm, well-cooked food in the fall. We can also incorporate warming spices into our dishes to support good digestion and keep us warm, such as cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
Get much-needed rest.
While long daylight hours in the summer keep us going from sun-up to sun-down, by fall we can feel a bit burned out from the constant activity. Fall is a great time to start getting to bed a little earlier as well as making a habit of getting 7+ hours of sleep each night. Rest isn’t just sleep. Our brains need a little break, too. If you don’t already have a good meditation practice, now is a good time to start. If you need help getting started, most yoga studios offer meditation classes or workshops. You can also do something as simple as take a warm Epsom salt bath, stare into a roaring fire while enjoying a nice relaxing cup of tea or get a gentle massage. Giving our minds and bodies a little rest and relaxation is one of the best things we can do to prepare ourselves for the long winter ahead.
While we may mourn the loss of those long, hot summer days, the abundance of fresh produce, and the ability to wear our flip flops every day, fall gives us a pleasant break between the heat of summer and the cold of winter. It’s a great time to slow down and re-calibrate our bodies and minds as we prepare for the second busiest time of the year – the holidays. What do you do to make the transition into fall a gentle one?
Psst… Don’t forget to join our email list (see above) and check out our fall yoga class schedule or schedule a relaxing massage!