When it comes to Autumn, do you love it or loathe it? The colder, darker seasons tend to split us into two camps; those who dread the shorter days and dropping temperatures, and those who can’t wait to kick their way through the golden leaves and gladly welcome in the cosy, quieter evenings. . (I’m in the latter camp…) Plus, it seems perfectly acceptable to switch fairy lights on for no apparent reason as soon as October kicks in.
However you feel about Autumn though, there are definitely many things you can do to truly help yourself enjoy the season, connect to nature, and get to know yourself on a whole new level.
In my work with my health coaching clients and on my online courses, we combine the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the latest in modern scientific research, to understand how to connect to nature and the seasons to support your physical and mental health.
Both the ancient and modern systems show that when we live more seasonally; eating seasonal and local foods, changing the way we sleep, exercise, relax, socialise and live generally throughout the year, our minds and bodies receive huge benefits.
The foods growing in each season provide us with exactly the right nutrients at the right time. Summer fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants such as lycopene, which directly protects the skin from sun damage. Autumnal foods like elderberries and sloes are incredibly beneficial for the immune system, as are mushrooms, and they’re all available at a time in which our immune systems may need more support.
Research also shows that humans still living in hunter-gatherer communities (the type our ancestors would have lived in) have gut bacteria that changes from season-to-season, supporting their immune systems, digestion, and overall health. This indicates that humans really are evolved to eat seasonally, that our bodies expect us to eat seasonally, and that we receive huge benefits when we do.
To add more variety and seasonal produce to your plate, try including these Autumn foods in your meals:
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Apples
- Pears
- Carrot
- Blackberry
- Leeks
- Brussels Sprout
Many of these seasonal foods are also white, which is the colour associated with Autumn, and for keeping the lungs health according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. From an Ayurvedic perspective, Autumn is a cold, dry, windy season that can exacerbate the scattered, anxious energy of Vata within us, so we benefit from consuming these foods in warming, grounding cooked stews and soups to help maintain a sense of balance.
To read more on living seasonally and how you can connect to and enjoy more of Autumn this year, have a read of some of my seasonal living blogs below. For personalised guidance and an opportunity to feel your best, balanced self again through all seasons, book in for a free 15 minute assessment, and a chat about how you can benefit from Whole-Health Consultations or the 6 Week Whole Health Coaching Programme – places open January 2023!
Autumn Reading
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