5 Ways to Stay Healthy as You Move Between Seasons

Did you know that last Thursday marked the first day of Autumn?! We’ve certainly had an incredible Summer with consistent sunshine and blue skies, but as the seasons change and we move into the cooler months and shorter days, it is important to acknowledge that as human beings we have seasons too, and for some, the transition of moving from Summer to Winter can make life seem a little different, almost as if it’s time to hibernate like our neighbouring hedgehogs. It can impact mood, energy, and the want to participate in activities which in the Summer, would normally be easy to do.

Personally, I find getting up early in the morning becomes harder at this time of year whilst it is still dark outside, and my enthusiasm for getting outside to exercise takes a dip. I also become a little reluctant to attend social engagements. And whilst it is important to listen to our body and our own needs, going into ‘hedgehog mode’ and hibernating is not practical for the majority, and won’t benefit our health long term. So, this week I thought I’d share a few things you can keep in mind to help maintain momentum as we move into the last quarter of the year, and help to keep your mindset positive if you find it a challenge.

Here are 5 ways to stay healthy as you move between seasons:

1. Keep moving
Do you find that when your mood and energy is low, your desire to exercise becomes non-existent? If ‘yes’, you are certainly not alone! I have been there many times too and I know there will be others reading this in agreement. But despite it being hard to get moving, did you know that when you do, it does something magical for your body? Aerobic exercise in particular, such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling or dancing (yes, dancing in the kitchen counts!) helps to release your feel good hormones called endorphins. The endorphins help to improve mood and energy, which can be a game changer especially at this time of year. Therefore, I’d recommend aiming for at least 30 minutes exercise a day, and if you can, try and get some daylight in the process by stepping outside.

2. Focus on sleep
Sleep is key to help with all aspects of health, but at this time of year it seems even more important. If you have ever had a poor night’s sleep you will know the impact it had the following day. Your productivity may have reduced, you might have felt irritated at the slightest of things and challenges, which you would normally be able to work through may have felt like a catastrophe. So, whilst the nights draw in, I’d recommend to really focus on your sleep routine. Getting to bed at a good time to allow you to get ample sleep, switching off your devices and having your last meal at least 2 hours before bed, and creating a sleep sanctuary, where you have a dark, cool and peaceful space can all help with getting a good nights rest, which will increase your energy, mood, and productivity the following day. If you want to read more on sleep, check out a previous blog here.

3. Allow yourself some time out
Do you remember I mentioned that as human beings we have seasons too? I know that life goes on, and for many it is not possible to change schedules around the time of year, but one thing I would encourage you to do is allow yourself time each day for you. Before you panic wondering where you are going to find the time, this doesn’t need to take long, although the more time the better. Quite often, your brain automatically focuses on what has happened in the past or it is preparing for what is going to happen in the future. And with this, anxiety and stress can increase. How do you reduce this? By becoming present and focusing on the now. So, whether you have a cup of tea in silence, go out for a walk, do some focused breathing or stand outside and just be, find something that works for you and really check in with yourself. This will help to create calm in your mind and allow you to figure out what your body needs right now.

4. Maintain connection
If the mention of being a hedgehog at the start of this blog resonated with you, I get it! It can be easy to want to hibernate and stay warm inside and say no to social engagements at this time of year, and that is perfectly OK. My suggestion would be to pick and choose rather than say no to them all, to ensure you maintain some connection. Interacting with others, whether that be going to a group exercise class, meeting a friend for a walk or coffee, or creating time to have dinner with family is essential for your wellbeing. It allows time for you to share with others, and for them to share with you. Sometimes it can be tempting to connect with others via social media, but this only goes so far, and spending too much time on there can lead to feelings of comparison and heightened anxiety, so creating boundaries can be helpful when it comes to this.

5. Nourish yourself
If you have been to the supermarket lately, you may have noticed Christmas goodies have already started to appear in the shops (sorry, yes I did say the ‘C’ word!) And although it will probably be with us sooner than we realise, the temptation to start to indulge can begin. But everything that you eat and drink will either help or hinder your energy and mood, so where you can, try to nourish yourself with fresh foods over processed and packaged, and keep the ‘treats’ a ‘treat’.

If some of these suggestions are new to you and the thought of incorporating them feels overwhelming I’d recommend starting small. If you focus your attention on one, do it consistently and once that becomes part of your routine choose another, it can help to create new habits that will last.

With love,
Sarah