Embrace Autumn with Self-Care and Yoga

Hi how are you? Last week the wheezles & sneezles took me deep into an enforced retreat.

Autumn is the perfect time to embrace self-care and align our bodies with the changing season. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), autumn is associated with the Metal element, which governs the lungs and large intestine.

This season is a time of transformation, letting go, and preparing for the introspective winter months. Here’s how you can nurture your body, mind, and spirit this autumn.

Autumn Self-Care Tips:

Nourish with Seasonal Foods:

Incorporate warming foods such as root vegetables, squash, apples, and pears.
Use spices like ginger, cinnamon, and garlic to enhance digestion and warmth.

Hydrate and Humidify:

Sip plenty of warm fluids and herbal teas to stay hydrated.
Use a humidifier to counteract the dry autumn air, which can affect the lungs and skin.

Practice Letting Go:

Autumn is a time for introspection and letting go of what no longer serves us.
Now is the perfect time to deepen or start journaling or meditation to reflect and release old habits and thoughts. I recommend just starting to put pen to paper & let me know how it goes.

Strengthen Immunity:

Boost your immune system with vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits and leafy greens.
Consider supplements like Meta C & Zinc and Super mushrooms.

Pranayama for Autumn:

Pranayama, the practice of breath control in yoga, can be particularly beneficial during autumn to support the lungs and maintain balance. Here are two pranayama techniques perfect for this season:

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing):

Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
Use your right thumb to close your right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril.
Close the left nostril with your right ring finger and release your right nostril.
Exhale slowly through the right nostril.
Inhale through the right nostril, close it, and exhale through the left nostril.
Continue this cycle for 5-10 minutes to balance the body and mind.

Ujjayi (Victorious Breath):

Inhale deeply through your nose, slightly constricting the back of your throat to create a soft sound like ocean waves.
Exhale through your nose, maintaining the same gentle constriction.
Practice this for 5-10 minutes to calm the mind and warm the body.

Understanding Wind-Cold vs. Wind-Heat in TCM:

Autumn often brings fluctuations in weather, I love that TCM gives different treatment options for the 2 different "colds". It is crucial to discern between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat conditions, in order to best support your body.

Wind-Cold:
Symptoms: Chills more than fever, body aches, clear runny nose, and a scratchy throat.
Remedy: Warm yourself with hot teas (ginger or cinnamon), soups, and stay bundled up. Use warming herbs like garlic and green onions.

Wind-Heat:
Symptoms: Fever more than chills, sore throat, yellow mucus, and red, swollen throat.
Remedy: Cool down with herbal teas (peppermint or chrysanthemum), consume cooling foods like cucumber, and avoid spicy foods.

By integrating these autumn self-care practices, you can harmonise your body with the season's natural rhythms and maintain optimal health and well-being.