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Preparing for the Change in Season

by | Oct 21, 2024 | Change of Seasons, Self-care

Change of Seasons

Our One Good Thing offering this month features an invitation and some support for you to do some self-reflection around the topic of change in season and moving gracefully into fall and winter.

Take a Cue from Nature

Let’s start with observing what is going on in nature around us.  Here in Colorado, harvest is coming to a close as garden beds are put to rest.  Trees are letting go of their leaves.  Animals are preparing for the quiet and rest of winter.  Looking outside, you can see other examples in your own environment that illustrate the graceful way the natural world adjusts, changes, and flows into the next season.

With this in mind, we invite you to ponder a few general journaling questions on this theme:

    • How can I gracefully adjust, change and flow into the winter season?
    • What do I want from my environment to support an intentional, healthy winter ahead?
    • How can I balance my body and mind to align with the new environment?

Some Specific Ideas for Moving into Autumn and Winter Intentionally

If you’re feeling at all stuck on how to answer any of those journal prompts, here are specific ideas:

    • Caring for Your Home – Many people find that fall cleaning is even more important than spring cleaning when it comes to allergies. Some deep cleaning and/or indoor plant spaces will keep your home feeling fresh and healthy, even with the windows closed.  A well-stocked pantry may give you some peace of mind in having staples on hand for those days you want to stay inside.  Laying in food for the winter is a well-known practice from many traditions.
    • Adjusting Your Diet – In winter, incorporate warming foods like soups, stews, and root vegetables to counteract the cooler weather. Add warming spices like turmeric, cumin, and black pepper to your meals. They can help improve digestion and circulation. Pay attention to your hunger cues and eat mindfully. This practice helps you adapt your food choices to what your body needs during seasonal changes.
    • Supplements – We have some recommendations on a collection of supplements to boost your immune system proactively.  This would be an ideal time add them into your routine if not already there.
    • Staying Hydrated – Skip the ice water and cold smoothies. Instead, drink warm water or herbal teas to maintain hydration. Ginger, cinnamon, or tulsi tea can be particularly beneficial during colder months.
    • Adapting Your Routine: Shift your daily routine to align with the new season. For example, in winter, consider waking up a bit later to match the shorter days. Maybe this is the year to invest in a special alarm clock that wakes you gently, with soft chimes or gradually brightening light. Modify your physical activity to suit the season. Gentle yoga or brisk walks in cooler months can help maintain energy and warmth.

Expressing Your Thoughts with a Journaling Exercise

Now that you’ve considered this month’s topic, take a moment to put some of your thoughts and intentions in writing.  (We recommend journaling for a variety of reasons: for this exercise, it can help you figure out your next steps and deepen self-discovery.)

  1. Gather your pen and paper (or computer or tablet would be just fine).
  2. Get comfortable and give yourself 10-15 minutes to record a few ideas about aligning your life and habits with the change in season. You can write sentences, bullets, or even single words.
  3. Build on your initial ideas with some tangible steps you can take to follow through.
  4. Enjoy this as a creative, fun self-care practice.

If you’ve enjoyed the journaling aspect of this post and would like some more self-care journal exercises, you might want to check out some of our previous blogs:

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