Self-Care Secrets for Fall
Even though it’s still hot out, it’s almost October, and it’s fall. The sun, our main source of energy and light, drops lower on the horizon at this time of year…which means less available energy for us. Fall is the season to harvest, gather for winter, and begin slowing down. All of nature follows this rhythm – except for humans, who have lost touch. To our detriment, we’ve grown out of sync with the natural rhythms of life; we perpetuate stress disorders and illness by ignoring natural laws. But just like hibernating animals prepare before winter comes, and plants draw their energy inward and back down into their roots, we are meant to gather energy and resources now – in autumn – for our renewal in spring. Here are the three top tips anyone can use now to increase energy levels, immunity, and resistance to stress as we move into the colder months.
1) ABHYANGA: Daily self-massage with oils
Have you ever heard anyone say their nerves are fried? They are probably right. Stress depletes the natural fats and oils that make up the brain and nerves. Prolonged stress and sudden trauma damage the brain and peripheral nerves by stripping them of their myelin sheathes, which causes short circuiting (frying) in the brain. Myelin is the covering on nerve endings that speeds nerve communication and helps signals connect; and myelin is made of cholesterol – fats. Just like our bodies thrive on regular healthy meals, the brain thrives on healthy fats, but not only those in our food. Daily oil massage to the skin and scalp has been used for centuries as prevention and cure. Ayurvedic doctors in ancient India prescribed oiling the body every day (Abhyanga) for the vitality of the nervous system and the brain. Abhyanga replenishes the oils that are depleted by stress, and this supports neurogenesis (the birth of healthy new brain and nerve cells), higher brain development, and overall health.
Proper hydration requires both water and oils. The brain consumes not only oils, but up to 80% of the body’s water, so along with daily abhyanga, it’s important to drink plenty of water to cleanse and nourish the brain.
2) AVOID STRONG WIND: Cover up!
We lose heat and energy in the autumn and winter months through our exposed skin, most especially on the head, neck, ankles and wrists. This loss of energy weakens the immune system and predisposes us to getting sick. Wind is also irritating to the nerves, and in excess leads to anxiety, overwhelm, and disorganized thoughts. Wind dehydrates our body fluids and oils. In Ayurveda, autumn is a vata season; vata energy is governed by dryness and wind. Vata energy invites us to cover up to prevent weakening our immune system; and to regulate our daily habits and schedules so that we gather strength before the coming winter months.
3) CONSERVE ENERGY: Lighten the load
Less daylight means less energy in our bodies as well. It is counter productive and even harmful to continue with summer’s high energy active pace. As we gather summer’s harvest for the coming months ahead, it is equally important to pull in our personal energy and resources as well…or else we risk adrenal depletion, burn out, and immune breakdown over the subsequent months. Now we create space in our calendars for quiet and reflective time. Now, it is best to eat earlier in the evening, before sunset, to help the body digest. Now is for pickling, canning and preserving the bountiful harvests we have. Now is the time to strengthen our immune systems, because when our bodies know how to stay healthy, we have no need of vaccinations or pharmaceutical drugs. Ayurveda recommends adaptogenic herbs like ashwaganda and shatavari now to enhance resilience to stress and illness and help the brain and immune system build back up. We prepare for winter with the body by nourishing ourselves inside. These two ayurvedic herbs are roots, so they carry the added advantage of steady gentle energy that nourishes deep. Eating root vegetables also creates strength and sustained energy. Nobody has to get sick and fall apart.
In fact, our bodies are amazing self-healing machines with the blueprints for perfect health already built in, and our bodies operate on natural laws. It’s only our unconscious habits, lack of awareness, and sense of disconnection from our own power that keep us stuck. Why not transform these today through seasonal self-care? Nature’s rhythms are therapeutic to the body, and the earth emits a vibrational frequency that calms and reorganizes the brain. Simple practices like those given above help us tune in. There’s buried treasure inside. We are the miracle we’ve been waiting for, once we turn our own power back on!
