Author: Ashley Martens
The carefree days of the summer season are behind us and we are beginning to get settled into a new season of fall. Unlike the summer months, the fall season is less about external action and more about internal action. After a busy summer spent with family, friends and neighbors, take some time to get grounded. As the seasons shift, so should our daily health and wellness practices. Here are eight ways to get grounded this fall.
#1 Slow Down
After the busy summer months, honor the shorter days of fall and your natural decrease in energy levels as well as your biological need to hibernate. Whether that means saying no to a night out for a cozy night in or cooking up a hearty home cooked meal instead of ordering take out, embrace the fall season and slow down. However, if you are still craving a sense of community, host a fall meal prep party.
#2 Plan a Fall Meal Prep Party
During the summer months, you may have hosted a meal prep party, so why not kickoff the start of the new season with a fall themed meal prep party? Make sure all potential recipes are fall themed so everyone can savor the taste of the season. Tip: Just because summer has passed doesn’t mean you have to retire your grill just yet. Take advantage of the cool, crisp fall days and take your fall meal prep party outside. As the sun starts to set, head inside for a group dinner after a big day of meal prepping or curl up around a big backyard bonfire complete with salty snacks and sweet treats.
Check out these tips for hosting a meal prep party.
#3 Shop the Fall Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are synonymous with the warmer summer months, but most farmers markets run through the end of October, unless you live in a warmer climate where some farmers markets operate all year round. Swing by the local community farmer’s market and stock up on fresh fall produce like fresh apples straight from the orchard and pumpkins from the local pumpkin patch.
#4 Work It Out
Exposure to bright, natural light first thing in the morning signals the start of the day to your body. It energizes us and prepares us for the day ahead, so make it a point to get some exposure to natural light first thing in the morning. All the more reason to shift your evening workouts to the morning hours!
#5 Eat Grounding Foods
As the seasons shift, so should our diets. Summer foods keep us cool (think fresh fruits and raw vegetables), while fall foods carry grounding properties to help us find balance during this transitional time of year. Root vegetables like beets, carrots, garlic, ginger, radishes, squash and sweet potatoes are some seasonal staples for the fall months, so stock up and get creative with incorporating these foods into your fall recipes. Here is a full list of fall produce.
#6 Set Up the Slow Cooker
The heat and humidity of summer leaves many home cooks cooking meals outdoors, but as the weather starts to cool down, it’s time to bust out the slow cooker and put it to good use. Pick your favorite protein like chicken, beef, pork even bison or lamb, and find a slow cooker recipe you and your entire family can enjoy. Remember to freeze any leftovers to enjoy at a later time!
#7 Warm Up with Warming Spices
The cool fall months turn our taste buds away from light, refreshing flavors of summer and instead directs our attention to warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and cumin. If you prefer to stick to basic seasonings like salt and pepper, choose a salt that contains minerals from the Earth like Pink Himalayan Salt or Celtic Sea Salt as these options provide more nourishment for the body.
#8 Go to Bed Earlier
During the fall season, the sun sets earlier, so take this cue from Mother Nature to get to bed earlier yourself. Turn off all of your devices (yes, this includes the television) at least one hour before bed, light some candles or turn on softer lights and begin winding down for the night. These simple bedtime rituals can help signal to your body it’s time to call it a day and hit the hay!
Embrace and welcome the new season with these eight tips to get you grounded this fall.
Meet The Author:
Ashley Martens is a Health and Wellness Writer based in Chicago, IL. With a background in digital marketing coupled with her knowledge of general nutrition and a lifelong passion for all things health, wellness, fitness and nutrition, Ashley offers a healthy alternative to traditional writing. You can learn more about Ashley and her writing over at her blog, Three to Five a Day.
