5 habits you can start today for autumn

In the final part of our, Get Set for September series, today we take a look at 5 habits that you can start today for autumn that will have you leaping into the new season. This time of the year can be tricky to navigate but getting some healthy habits embedded now will really help to make sure that you're stronger in mind and body and ready for the autumn unwind after a busy summer.

1. Stay hydrated

This one can be more tricky as it comes to cooler weather. When drinking water during the cooler months, try and make it room temperature, this is much better for your stomach according to Chinese medicine. Staying hydrated is super important for your skin as we adjust to the cooler weather which often dries out our skin as well. If you are finding it hard to drink plain water, try sparkling water with ACV (apple cider vinegar), teas (try red bush, black teas with warming spices, herbal teas), or chicory coffees (I love to use this one HERE). Warm water with slices of lemon, mint or ginger is also very hydrating as well as good for the digestive system.

2. Move outside

As the days get shorter, there is more rain and cooler weather, moving outside is still just as important. Try and expose your eyes to sunlight first thing in the morning, whether this is the school run, walking from the car into work, or taking your self for 5 minutes around the block. Again in the evening or even post lunch 5-10 minutes can do wonders for helping our circadian rhythms, blood sugar levels and mood.

3. Start taking Vitamin D again (and Magnesium if not already)

We often stop over the summer and then forget to restart. We then often tend to pick up viruses, coughs and colds in September as we return to school or work after summer holidays. Ensuring the whole family are taking vitamin D is essential from now on until the sun returns over the summer. Magnesium is also another one that if not already taking, is excellent for sleep, helping to ease ‘stress’ levels and one majority of people are deficient in. Glycinate/bisglycinate is one of the best forms to take. I love taking the Nutri advanced magnesium glycinate every evening before bed.

4. Slow down for 30 minutes before bed

Avoid devices 30 minutes before bed and keep them out of the bedroom, this is one of the hardest things to do some days, but one of the best habits you could start to do to improve sleep and your mind. Pop dim lighting on, read a book or have a warm bath/shower before you transition to the bedroom to sleep. Making a sleep ‘ritual’ is so important for unwinding and allowing our bodies to switch into ‘sleep mode’. If sleep is a struggle, make sure you are taking magnesium in the evening and pop from lavender oil on your pillow or have in a sprayable mist for the bedroom. Ashwagandha is also an excellent adaptogen that can help decrease cortisol levels and relax the brain.

5. Eat the season’s colours and allow the body rest & digest time

This is so important as we transition into cooler weather, it often means that the food is sourced fresher as well, so the nutrient density is higher. Incorporating fasting techniques is also incredibly helpful in facilitating autophagy (repair) in our bodies which is the normal process our body switches into when we don’t eat for long periods of time, such as overnight. I love the work Mandy Pelz does for women in her book Fast Like a Women, as well as the work Will Cole writes in his book Intuitive Fasting, start with ensuring you have a 12hr window overnight between your last meal of the day and first meal the next day.