I think there is something so beautiful about Autumn with its vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow. The days shorten, the air sharpens, and the scent of fallen leaves provides me with a renewed sense of energy together with tranquillity. For me it’s a season to nourish your body and support your health so you feel energised and balanced throughout the colder months.

From a health perspective, I have always found Autumn a great season for well-being. The moderate temperatures make it an ideal time for outdoor activities and the abundance of delicious seasonal foods keeps your gut healthy .

Lets look at movement first, as you all know by now this is one of the equally important four pillars of health. Staying active is crucial for maintaining strength and immunity during these cooler months. With the temperatures dropping its ideal to take your workout outside especially if you found the summer months too hot to do strenuous activities, this is the best time. Try incorporating a mix of things such as cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises into your routine and try to do them outside. If you only have 20/30 minutes that’s great and benefits the body just as much as a 60min work out.

Always remember the “non-exercise” moves at home and in the office are just as crucial as your classes. The small 10 minute walks round the block; standing up and touching your toes; using the stairs; having a stretch; walking around the house or garden ….. just keep moving. Even if you have already done a class or are going to one at the end of the day, its all these other activities which are so important for your general health and will help to keep you strong as we enter the colder months.

Autumn is a time to dress in layers. The weather can be unpredictable in autumn, so it’s important to be prepared for both cool mornings, warmer afternoons and of course at any time a bit of rain! Dressing in layers allows you to easily adjust your clothing as needed.

Now the temperature is dropping it’s important to spend a little extra time warming up your muscles before starting your workout and longer walks. This can help prevent injuries and improve your overall performance.

Above all take advantage of the scenery, Autumn is a beautiful time of year, so remember to look up when exercising in nature and be grateful for the beautiful colours around you.

Then there is the abundance of fresh seasonal produce like apples, pears, pumpkins, squash and spring onions to provide us with nutritious foods full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to boost our immune system and keep us healthy as we enter the colder months of winter. Don’t forget the fabulous mushrooms that might help boost your Vitamin D levels as the hours of sunlight get shorter.

We also need to start moving away from our raw cold meals like salads and start thinking of delicious dishes that are a bit more warming for our bodies to adjust to the temperatures slowly dropping So think:

• Butternut squash soup
• Baked sweet potatoes with toppings like black beans, avocado, and salsa
• Lentil and vegetable stew
• Spaghetti squash with garlic and tomatoe sauce
• Mushroom and barley soup
• Miso salmon on a bed of warm samphire
• Baked Pears with cinnamon and cloves

Now the days are getting shorter and nights longer there is an advantage here for those who struggle with sleep. The earlier onset of darkness in the evenings can help regulate our sleep patterns by triggering the production of melatonin earlier, which can improve overall well-being.

As with all seasons listen to your body and take care of yourself.

So lets all embrace this beautiful season of Autumn together and keep an eye on my Instagram for more tips and inspiration to help you thrive this Autumn.

Remember you can always contact me if you would like more of a helping hand. Here’s to a productive Autumn

Mandy