Autumn is here... The perfect time to improve your overall wellness!
Written by Kiki Athanas, In-House Wellness Expert @ Calii Love and Founder of MEByKiki.com.
It’s autumn and now’s just a good of a time as any to “fall” into a new regime to get you well – seriously, wellness starts with you taking care of you, so here are some of my “falltastic” strategies to help you adjust to the season in the kindest way possible. Since alternative healing modalities seem to do it best – at least when it comes to finding the most holistic solution to your optimal wellness state, the following post will highlight tips for fall health from a few of the most popular and proven.
Ayurveda
● The autumn harbors a certain emptiness that might have us feeling sensitive and a little raw, but it is also filled with new possibilities—a time when we can strip down to a quiet essence of being, and savor the simplicity.
● Following the Ayurvedic principle that opposites balance, vata season (which is cool, light, dry, windy, and unpredictable) tends to be less aggravating if filled with warmth, oiliness, deep nourishment, loving relationships, and a sense of stability, routine, and groundedness.
● In terms of diet, that means that satiating, oily, nourishing foods that are a bit higher in protein and fat, brought to life with warming, stimulating spices, and served warm, will go a long way toward maintaining your internal reserves of moisture and keeping you grounded through this vata season.
Homeopathy
● This time of year brings with it a heightened awareness of allergies, colds and flu-like symptoms. A few go-to homeopathic remedies you may want to keep in your medical cabinet include:
○ Oscillococcinum: A perfect rescue for the onset of flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, body aches and pain. It is one of the best selling homeopathic remedies.
○ Allium cepa: Try this remedy when nasal mucus irritates your nose or upper lip, or if your eyes are runny but the discharge is bland and non-irritating.
○ Wyethia: Try this remedy when you experience extreme itching in the throat and palate that can extend to the ears; or a sore throat with hoarseness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
● Fall is a natural time of year to switch from the more “expansive” spirit of summer (i.e. going out, BBQ parties with friends, etc.), to a more “contractive” time conducive to being more introspective, staying home, and sleeping more.
● Traditional Chinese Medicine associates the Lung and Large Intestine channels with autumn. They are in focus because they are also the most vulnerable during this season.
● The flavor of fall in TCM is pungent and should be balanced with sour. The intention behind this is to keep the body’s mucosa moist and warm—which prevents infection, without becoming too damp/cold—which could lead to congestion in the Lungs. Some foods you may want to consider bringing into your diet at this time include:
○ Parsnips
○ Sweet potatoes
○ Horseradish
○ Garlic
○ Orange vegetables like winter squashes
○ Onions
○ Olives