Written By Julie Paiva, CHHC
Summer has come to an end and fall is officially here. The beginning of fall always seems to signal a fresh start. Even if you are not in school anymore, the arrival of fall seems to bring back memories of new beginnings. Fall is a symbol of letting go and moving onto bigger and better things. Start off this autumn season by decluttering your life and making changes to create a healthier and happier you. Follow these simple steps to get started on your fall cleanse.
Your Home
Get rid of unnecessary things. Swap out those summer items in your closets and drawers for cooler weather items. As you do so, go through items in your closets, drawers, pantry, cabinets, and shelves. Let go of things that no longer serve a purpose or need for you. Make three piles as you decide what you need: save, toss and donate. Give to others who may need and appreciate them more than you. Cleaning up and organizing your physical space clears up your mental space too. You will feel more relaxed and at peace in your space with less clutter. Then celebrate how great it feels to be in your new space.
Your Work
Fall is a wonderful time to revisit the goals that you set at the beginning of the calendar year. It may have been a while since you last checked them. Most likely you will be pleasantly surprised with how much you have done already. If you find that there is a goal that has gotten past you since you set it, then you have a few months to decide if it still serves you and is worth your attention. Write yourself a new goal for the last few months of this year. Speak words of praise for the changes and steps you have made towards a better you.
Your Inbox
The average person gets 120 emails a day. Most of us have multiple email accounts to attend to and that can mean plenty of full inboxes. Go through your messages and do yourself a favor and unsubscribe to anything you find that you never open or constantly delete. This will help you feel less anxious when you see 20 unopened messages in your inbox and help you access important messages quickly and easily.
Your Habits
As the weather starts to get cooler we tend to favor indoor activities. Lounging, relaxing and eating richer foods can creep in as we let go of those healthy outdoor activities we might have enjoyed during the summer months. Note where you are spending your time each day. As the days get shorter, try to follow nature’s rhythms and get to bed earlier. Th extra time will do wonders for your immune system, energy levels, ability to concentrate, and your mood. Make sure to still include time for exercise, forms of self-care, and preparing healthy meals. It’s up to you to decide if you are using your time wisely and adjust accordingly.
Your Diet
Our bodies seek foods that balance out the elements of the seasons. In fall, we tend to crave grounding foods such as squash. As opposed to summer when our bodies crave cooling foods like watermelon. The autumn produce is magnificent – apples, beets, Brussel sprouts, cranberries, figs, grapes, mushrooms, parsnips, pears, pomegranates, pumpkins, squashes, sweet potatoes and swiss chard. Exploring these seasonal veggies is the perfect way to cleanse your diet and keep on your healthy track.
Embrace the changes fall brings like cooler temperatures, delicious seasonal produce, and exciting new opportunities. Fall is a great time to declutter your home and your mind, revisit your goals, focus on the things you have accomplished, and realign yourself with things that need to be addressed. Get out to a local farmers market and bask in the beauty of the seasonal fruit and veggies. Cook healthy meals that help you maintain your goals and boost your happiness. Take advantage of the crisp autumn air and get outside and connect with nature. Enjoy all that the season has to offer before winter sets in.
