Susan gives us some self-care tips for the changing seasons.
During Autumn/Winter it can be difficult to maintain our self-care as its often colder (and less inviting) outside and darker in the evenings. Many of us just want to hibernate if possible!
Stepping outside, whatever the weather, can not only help improve our physical fitness but also our mental health.
Autumn can be a time to recharge, - and slow down, whether that is finding a cosy corner to read a good book or to watch your favourite movie or listen to some relaxing music. You may like to paint, draw, colour, knit or write in a journal, it can be a time for creative expression or trying something new.
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is found in the changing of the seasons. During autumn/winter the earth is settling down after a long year of growing plants and trees. Animals are migrating or hibernating, it can be a time for self-reflection and gratitude.
Self-care is about making time for yourself. Carving out moments to nurture your mind, body and soul will have far reaching positive effects. One of the best ways to self-care during the autumn months is to focus on feeding our senses. Making sure we see, hear, taste, feel and smell enriching things will ease the challenges that come with the changing season. Set time aside in your week to try a variety of self-care experiences such as: Light a candle, take a long bath, bake bread, eat dinner by candlelight, stay hydrated with water, listen to an audible book, enjoy a large mug of hot chocolate, wrap up and take a walk in the snow or rain.
STEP INTO THE SENSATIONS
- Beauty and harmony can be found outdoors, even when the weather and the surroundings are far from dreamy, slowing down and focusing on what’s around us can be an effective way of appreciating things that often pass unobserved.
- By asking yourself the question ‘what is good at the moment?’, you might find yourself noticing all manner of different things, from the overall mood of the landscape to subtle details. The longer you pause, the more you’ll see.
- Walking can be a gratifying (and free) way of thinking things out, allowing your mind to wander at will.
- Taking a stroll at an unusual time of the day can be a brilliant way of experiencing a new side to a path you’re familiar with. The light, the wildlife and the overall atmosphere can become markedly different.
- Learning the names and traits of the trees and birds you pass can be a hugely satisfying way of forging an even closer link with the outdoors. Walking without a mobile phone has obvious benefits, but on the flipside, there are apps that can help you identify birds, trees, and flowers.
- Concentrating your attention on watching a river flowing downstream, or the behaviour of birds or insects, can be an easy way of achieving a focused, meditative state of mind during a walk.
- Try to see each walk as an adventure. What’s the character of the wind today? And the sky? The clouds? How does the ground feel underfoot? What is there to spot that shows the passing of the seasons?
Adapted from Ben Lerwill (Breathe – issue 41 Pg. 119)
