Your Body Knows the Season Is Changing

The shift from summer into fall isn’t just happening outside your window, it’s happening in your routine, too. And sometimes the best way to move into a new season is to pay attention to what your body is asking for.

So, what does taking care of yourself during this season actually look like?

For starters: keep moving.

When the weather cools down and daylight starts disappearing earlier, staying home gets very tempting.

Stay active anyway.

That doesn’t mean forcing yourself through the exact workout routine you had all summer. Walk. Stretch. Strength train. Take a class. Go outside. Find movement you genuinely enjoy enough to continue doing when your bed and a blanket are making a very convincing counteroffer.

And get some daylight while you’re at it.

Our sleep-wake rhythm responds to light, so getting outside during daylight hours is one simple way to work with your body’s internal clock rather than forgetting the sun exists until spring. 

Your body might need a little more TLC

Anyone with an old injury knows the feeling: sometimes your body remembers things you’d rather forget.

Kerrieann, founder of Herbs to the Hero, can speak to this one. After several previous injuries, recovery and body care have become part of her regular wellness routine. She rotates things like heat and cold therapy depending on what she’s dealing with.

If cooler weather has you feeling stiff, make warming up before exercise part of the routine rather than the thing you rush through.

And persistent or significant pain deserves more than an internet wellness tip, talk to a healthcare professional.

Your skin knows it’s fall, too

You changed your wardrobe. Your skincare might need a seasonal switch as well.

As temperatures and humidity drop and indoor heating comes on, skin can have a harder time holding onto moisture. Dermatologists recommend adjusting accordingly, which can include richer creams or ointments, moisturizing after washing and choosing warm rather than very hot showers. 

And don’t forget the rest of you.

Hands. Lips. Scalp. Hair.

If your hair tends to feel drier this time of year, this may be the season to give it some extra moisture and pay attention to what your hair actually responds to.

Basically: winterizing isn’t only for houses.

Eat like the season changed because it did

Fall brings an entirely different lineup to the kitchen.

Squash. Sweet potatoes. Apples. Pears. Pumpkin. Dark leafy greens. Root vegetables.

Use it.

Eating seasonally doesn’t mean every single thing on your plate has to come from a farmers market harvested six minutes ago. It can simply mean letting seasonal foods inspire what you’re cooking while keeping the fundamentals in place: balanced meals, adequate protein, produce and enough food to actually nourish you.

And please keep drinking water.

It’s easy to associate hydration with sweating through July, but your water bottle doesn’t retire when summer does.

And yes, this is Herbs to the Hero. We’re talking about herbs.

Fall and winter are practically asking for a kettle.

Green tea can be an easy daytime ritual, while chamomile fits beautifully into a slower evening. And with cold and flu season approaching, this is a good time to get acquainted with a few herbs that can complement your seasonal wellness routine.

Pau d’Arco has a long history of traditional use and has been studied for antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.

Then there’s elderberry, a longtime cold-and-flu-season favorite. Elderberry has traditionally been used for colds and flu, and some research suggests it may help ease certain upper-respiratory symptoms.

Don’t accidentally hibernate until spring

Rest is good.

A slow Sunday at home? Enjoy it.

The blanket, the movie, the warm drink, the absolutely-no-plans afternoon there is a place for all of it.

But also find reasons to get out.

Make plans. Find a fall activity. Take the walk. See your people. Try something new. Keep moving your body. Eat well. Protect your sleep. Get outside during the day. Make your home cozy. Create little rituals that give you something to look forward to.

Because taking care of yourself through a changing season isn’t about pretending nothing has changed.

It has.

The weather changes. Daylight changes. Your schedule might change. Even the things you naturally reach for can change.

Maybe it’s simply asking:

What do I need in this season?

And building your rituals from there.

Herbs to the Hero shares wellness and herbal information for educational purposes only. This content is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Herbs and wellness practices may not be appropriate for everyone and can interact with medications or health conditions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes to your health routine or using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.