Fall is the time when the kids go back to school, our vacation becomes a distant memory and we’re back to the grind. Are you nodding your head yes? We hear you! What most people don’t realize is that fall, just like spring, is a time of transformation. This transition is more than leaves changing color and temperatures dropping. It’s a call for following the rhythm of nature to maintain our physical, mental and emotional well-being. We’ve compiled 5 life hacks for fall wellness:

1. Follow a seasonal diet

When food items are available year around, it’s hard to know what’s in season. You can always Google it, ask a store associate or infer seasonality from the price of your produce. Items in season tend to cost less, and grocery stores often display and promote them prominently in various parts of the store.

As the quality of the air is becoming drier, lighter and colder, opt for foods that are cooked, nourishing and oily in nature, such as soups and stews. Adding a bit of ghee to your meals is also a good idea to promote fall wellness.

2. Keep yourself moisturized

I do this 3 – 4 times a week. When things get hectic, I still make it a point to do this at least once a week. Of the many benefits, the ones I like the most are super soft skin from the inside out, steady and calm mind, and better elimination. Yes, I went there. Your skin is more than a sign of beauty. It’s your largest organ and is connected to your nervous system, blood and liver. It’s a key part of your overall wellness.

Now you know how it helps, but what is it? It’s really simple: self-oleation with untoasted, unrefined, organic sesame oil for about 15 – 20 minutes, followed by a hot shower. At times, I add other oils but sesame is the base oil. Ancient Ayurvedic text recommends sesame oil due its healing benefits and ability to take its goodness deep into your skin.

3. Move mindfully

When air quality is drier, lighter and cooler, your joints might feel more fragile or even more painful. This may increase the likelihood of injury. Slow down! Spend extra time warming up in the gym and avoid moving abruptly. Move with full attention to help avoid injuries—whether you’re working out or just coming down the stairs.

Remember 2.? Lubricate your whole body regularly with nourishing oil treatments.

4. Create quiet moments

The only person who can make this a priority is you. I blogged about meditation and myth-busting hacks, offered quick reset exercises here and here, and even talked about the need for honoring your sense organs and digital detox times.

5. Respect the circadian rhythm

You may know it as the “body clock,” the circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle that triggers physical, mental and behavioral changes in living organisms. It’s about a lot more than sleep. It helps bring structure and regularity into your life—the right kind of regularity. This right kind of regularity is critical in the fall period to counterbalance the variability and changing of the season.

The 24-hour circadian cycle is made up of sub-cycles, each of which is optimal for certain activities. Understanding how this cycle and sub-cycles work can give you more energy, health and productivity.

Contact us for a consultation if you’d like to learn more.

Image by Alex Rusin, Pexels