Autumn is at our doorstep, what do we do now??
One thing we can always be guaranteed of in life is change. Change is the only thing which is constant. Nature reminds us of this in the form of ever-changing rhythm of the seasons, sometimes even monthly or weekly basis in UK. The morning air is getting cooler day by day , and it’s time to start thinking about long winter coats and woolly hats.
I have always believed and lived by the fact that it is no point to fight or mourn for any changes one cannot control, so try to go with the flow and make the most of life we have by embracing the change is a positive more optimistic way. I always think and pray that “O Lord, May I have the wisdom and courage to know the difference between what I CAN and CANNOT change” says Swami Dayananda.
Going by these words of wisdom from Swami Dayananda, let’s focus on how to make the most of this fall/autumn months. I have followed some basic, simple, effective yet fun tips for staying fit in autumn months and here is my secret for you.
1. Fall in love with seasonal fruits and vegetables:
With the arrival of the new season, now is the time to change the diet! Embrace the foods that autumn offers. Enjoy fresh pumpkins, parsnips, yams, winter squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, apples, pears, figs, nuts, elderberries and even cranberries! There are some excellent salad combinations that can be done using above vegetables. For example: pumpkin soup, roasted root vegetables, baked sweet potatoes with cranberries on top with a dash of lime.
2. Boost your immune system.
It’s that time of the year where you need to focus on boosting your immune system. In fact anytime of the year when there is a shift of climate from one to another, one is bound to have some immunity crisis .With the changing season, now is the perfect time to boost your immune system and be ready for challenging winter times.
Foods like onion, mushrooms, garlic, probiotics, Vitamins B-complex based foods such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, Vitamin C rich foods and also Vitamin D are very important. Among minerals, boost the level of Zinc and Magnesium in the body to avoid achy muscles and joints with these herbs like propolis, ginger, astragalus, berberis with some Manuka honey is extremely beneficial.
One easy tip to always remember is that the more colourful the fruit, the better it is for your health and your immune system, as it is quite high in naturally existing antioxidants that help fight against oxidative stress.
3. Water, water .Thy lifesaver anytime!
It is very important to continue to drink sufficient amount of water per day. You may not feel the need or you may not feel as hot as over the summer so may not feel the desire to drink as much, however, fluid loss is still an important consideration and your body needs at least 2 litres of water per day minimum.
Try and go swimming at least once a week, if possible twice will be great. Jumping in the pool isn’t just relaxing, it’s also a great way to tone your muscles and get that all-important cardio workout done while relaxing and chilling in the pool. You can also end up in a Jacuzzi to pamper yourself perhaps couple of times a month; you are allowed to do so much more in the autumn and winter months.
4. Put your dancing shoes ON!
You’re going to be doing a lot more indoor exercise over winter, so make your gym visits more interesting and fun by changing things up a bit. If you always exercise on the treadmill, why not give the elliptical machine a go or join a session of Zumba (or Yoga) or any other form of dance that will help even boost your serotonin levels. Any form of group exercise is a great way to make friends who will then expect to see you there every week. It’s still important to get some fresh air, so wrap up warm and head out for a long walk with your family or friends on weekends.
Walk the dog while enjoying the cooler temperatures and crisp breezes without having to worry about overheating by having to stay indoors too much! The fresh air will be great for your mind, body, soul and your dog will be happy too.
5. Official Massage months!
Swedish massage is immensely popular at this time of the year because there are so many benefits, both physical and mental. Swedish massage has also proved to be effective at combatting mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as alleviating fatigue. The amount of positive side effects of regular Swedish massage session is fascinating; it can also help improve personal as well as professional confidence levels. It is important to invest on massages as we always think and take it as a one time or one off luxury thing, but actually it is not. It is equally important to nurture the body inside out.
6. Acupressure and Acupuncture can be good friends…!
Our bodies get out of balance with seasonal changes, dietary changes and if any associated stress at work or even personal emotional stress. Using acupuncture/acupressure in combination with herbal therapy can balance the yin and yang of the body .Also, in Chinese Medicine the lung is the organ that governs the skin, so when the lung needs to over work at times in the months of autumn or winter season, your immunity decreases and your skin loses moisture and tends to look more dull. Drink lots of herbal teas. Fresh gingers is wonderful — put six slices of raw ginger root in a pot and boil it for a sometime so then the properties are released in water. Drink astragalus tea on a regular basis for a boost to the skin and over all immunity. Fresh garlic is one of the best medicines in the world for skin and over health too.
Namaste
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