5 Ways to Slow Down in the Fall
Hello, autumn!
This is one of my favorite times of year, filled with pumpkin spice, chilly mornings, and the brilliant hues of leaves. It’s a time of change, slowing down, and focusing on self-care and self-love. Read on to discover five ways to embrace slow living during this beautiful season.
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1. Enjoy nature.
One of the most beautiful ways to slow down during autumn is by going out to enjoy nature and by mirroring what’s going on outdoors. During this time of year, Mother Nature herself slows down—the days get shorter, the trees shed their leaves, and animals prepare for the winter. The vibrancy and busyness of summer is gone, and in its place is the slower energy of fall that asks us to go within.
Going for a nature walk—or visiting a pumpkin patch or apple orchard—is a great way to go outside and take in the gorgeous autumn hues of reds, yellows, and oranges. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to go to our nearby pumpkin farm to pick pumpkins, other veggies, and walk through the sunflower fields. Being outside in nature brings a vibration of nourishment and nurture, an energy of recalibration and recharging.
While you’re out walking in nature, take some time to slow down enough to really observe everything around you. Feel the crisp air on your skin. Listen to the wind rustling in the leaves, and squirrels scurrying about. Are there any other animals? Really take in the different colors of the leaves, and linger in the hues of a sunrise or sunset. Enjoy every moment!
2. Unwind and simply be.
Slowing down in the fall might mean letting yourself relax and simply be. The world around us is so fast-paced and busy, and it often might be challenging to slow down even when Mother Nature herself is urging us to do so. We’re constantly pressured to keep going, to achieve goals, to accomplish more. But the truth is…we don’t really need to do so much!
Autumn is urging you to unwind. To be present. And to breathe!
So maybe try this: why not allow yourself to simply let go? This could look like letting go of the idea that you need to get a certain amount of things done. What’s really important, and what’s necessary? Stick with those things, clear your schedule, and give yourself time to breathe. Soften your goals. There’s no need to burden yourself with extra tasks, or to spend hours creating the most magnificent social media post, or even to commit to social outings or events.
Instead, you might choose to spend some quiet time at home in the evenings with friends and family—or even by yourself (I am a big fan of me time!)—to rest in the comforts and joys of your space. Relish in the simple pleasures of your home, and in the knowing that it’s okay to relax. Relinquish the urge to be constantly accomplishing something, or scrolling on your phone, or just doing.
And during the day, give yourself permission to take breaks and to daydream, to sit outside, and to be in the present moment. Enjoy a cup of herbal tea while you work, and fill your space with some autumn essential oils like cinnamon and ginger. (If you’d like to find out more about warming and spicy essential oils for fall, check out my blog post here!)
3. Surround yourself with the essence of fall.
Fall is all about coziness and comfy things. It’s the time when the thick, soft sweaters, warm socks, and tall boots emerge from my closet, and when it feels so good to fill the house with the smells of soup, baked goods, and other delicious treats.
Autumn’s essence is truly about slow living and savoring every moment with all of your senses!
To enjoy this season, surround yourself with all the beautiful elements of fall that will nourish and comfort you. The more that you love your space and feel it’s positive vibration, the more you’ll feel the effects on your health and wellness!
Decorate your home with natural items like pinecones, pumpkins and other gourds, and choose flowers in hues of orange, yellow, and gold. Soft blankets and thick rugs can be super nice while you relax in front of a crackling fireplace. Diffusing essential oils, like cinnamon and clove, will infuse your space with the amazing aromas of warmth and spice.
Even though I prefer essential oils to scented candles, I do really enjoy the warm flicker from candlelight—it gives off such a nurturing vibe. If you’re like me and love this soft light, you can try a non-toxic candle, or some beautiful luxury flameless candles. Arrange them in any room in your home, then sit back to enjoy them while you unwind.
4. Prioritize self-care.
Fall is the perfect time to truly focus on self-care. It’s all about nourishment and nurture, and taking the time to give your body, mind, and spirit what it needs to feel replenished.
When the weather turns crisp and chilly, it’s not uncommon for skin to feel drier and in need of tender, loving care. Giving some extra self-love vibes to your body could be a really beautiful and luxuriant experience…and you deserve it!
Here’s one of my favorite evening routine practices that makes me feel centered, pampered, and rejuvenated:
Run a warm bath with a moisturizing bath soak. Perhaps add some candles for ambiance, turn on some calming music, and add flower petals to the water. Enjoy your bath for as long as you’d like, letting the warm bathwater cleanse and soothe you. Use a healthy and non-toxic exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, such as an essential oil scrub, and once you’ve toweled off, finish by applying a hydrating organic body butter to your skin.
Other ways to prioritize your self-care this autumn is by allowing yourself to indulge. Eat plenty of warm, nutritious food, and let yourself have a little extra if your body is craving it. Always listen to your intuition and your body…it will let you know what it needs. You also may need more rest during this season, and there’s no need to feel guilty for giving yourself permission to sleep in a little later if you need to.
Allow yourself simple pleasures, just because. Buy yourself those comfy flannel pajamas you’ve been eying. And if you’d like an extra slice of pumpkin bread…by all means, have it!
5. Connect to your roots.
As we withdraw from the busyness of the outer world during autumn, we go inwards, towards that inner part of ourselves that might be challenging to hear when there’s too much noise and distraction. In this energetic state, we tend to crave a feeling of groundedness, of connection with Mother Earth and her healing frequencies. We can hear and feel the gentle shifts, the slowing of the season, the guidance for peace and stillness.
There’s something magical about syncing to the rhythm of nature.
To better connect with this grounding energy in fall, it’s good to eat foods that are warm, nourishing, and in season. I tend to gravitate towards root vegetables like sweet potatoes, rutabagas, and carrots, as well as other veggies from autumn’s harvest such as squash and pumpkin.
Just as some of these vegetables root down into the earth to get stabilized, connecting with Mother Earth herself can help you with achieving a more centered, focused, and peaceful mindset. Simply going outside in nature works wonders in itself! You can also walk barefoot upon the earth (which may be a bit cold!), or you can sit on the ground, visualizing yourself surrounded by and taking in these amazing earth frequencies. A helpful image may be to visualize roots coming down from your spine, or feet, and traveling deep into the earth to ground and revitalize you.
One of my favorite practices is to connect with trees. Trees have deep, deep roots, and carry such wisdom and healing energy. To connect with a tree, you can try sitting at its base, with your back against it, or you might choose to stand and place your hands on the trunk. Feel the rough bark, listen to the wind in the leaves, and enjoy the beautiful vibration.
