Fall Self Care
This is the season of warmth - in every way.
How you eat, drink, dress and love yourself. Warmth and comfort is key. This blog post will share our favourite food, drinks and self care routines.
HOT LEMONADE
This is your cold and flu season go to. It was something my mom made us when we were sick so even kids will like this one! You can swap out your morning tea or coffee with this in the colder months as a preventative medicinal drink. I prefer to drink it in a large glass beer mug!
juice of half a lemon
honey to taste
grated or sliced ginger
chopped up garlic (optional… it doesn’t taste very strong but you can reserve this addition for when you feel a cold coming on)
hot water to fill the mug
RESCUE REMEDY SPRAY
Because fall is the season of grief you may need more support with your stress levels. This stress remedy comes in handy all year round but I find myself reaching for it more often these days.
Rescue® Remedy Spray by Bach Flower Remedies is your on the go stress relief medicine. It was developed by a doctor more than 80 years ago to help with relaxation, focus and calmness. I personally keep one in my medicine drawer at home and also in my purse, and take 2 sprays under the tongue whenever I’m feeling anxious or before big meetings / stressful events.
Shop here.
KITCHARI OR CONGEE
Inspired by Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine here are two traditionally healing warm dishes that are easy to digest and soothing for your system at this time of year.
Kitchari is essentially white rice, split yellow lentils, warming spices and whatever veggies are in season all brewed up in one pot on the stove. Learn more about kitchari in The Well, our online library and self care studio - there’s a beautiful recipe shared by one of our members’ moms plus instructions for a 7 day kitchari cleanse when you need it.
Congee is like a rice pudding, you use long grain white rice and lots more water than you usually would for rice. Toppings can vary - here is a very simple recipe.
MOVEMENT
Heart Bed - this yin pose opens up the lung meridian channel which runs along the inside of the arms and helps process the emotions of grief, forgiveness and release. I would add a weighted blanket or pillow on top of your body for extra comfort and warmth. Never underestimate the power of somatics (body based healing) to shift your energy and ease your mind.
“Our own heart is our temple; it’s philosophy is kindness.”
— DALAI LAMA
SIMPLE MORNING ROUTINE
3 deep breaths in bed upon waking (inhale = I am, exhale = one with creation… or whatever you’d like to insert as an affirmation)
brush teeth
tongue scraping (an Ayurvedic practice that is KEY to remove all the toxins that your body gets rid of overnight), shop here.
short walk around the block to get some sunlight in your eyes
breakfast with protein to help balance hormones
SOCKS + SCARVES
At all times. Period. Every since I started honouring my feet and my neck I basically stopped getting sick and my period cramps improved dramatically. Invest in soft materials, make it luxurious.
BEDTIME FOOT BATH
A lovely bedtime ritual to add more warmth to your day. Research has not shown that foot baths are detoxifying despite seeing this advertised all over the wellness world but they are still a great self care practice. Add the following ingredients for bonus benefits:
epsom salts to increase magnesium absorption, relieve soreness and allow for exfoliation
essential oils
olive oil or sesame oil for hydration
WARMING BREATHWORK
Inpired by the breath of fire or khapalabati pranayama. This will help release stagnant energy and warm you up from the inside. The result is fresh energy and clarity of mind. Use as needed unless pregnant or menstruating, in that case use box breathing as your breathwork practice which is an inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4 and hold for 4. Make sure not to push yourself in the holds, let it be fluid and easeful.
For a full library of self care practices that are tailored to your natural energy cycles you can join The Well, our women’s wellness membership below.
