Autumn Tips from Calm-a-Mama´s Resident Mama (and many mothers before her)

I have always loved the drama of Autumn´s changing colors...oooh and that tangible feel in the air when I walk out and am made acutely aware that Summer has stepped down, and my favourite cooler season is here. Everything around me becomes a sensory cue to chill out (or go ballistic in the autumn leaves). Even coffee smells more amazing for some reason...

However, it must be reckoned with also that colder weather’s brewing. That’s what happens in autumn. (Mother) Earth tilts—the northern hemisphere gets less sun and cools down. Some of us start to slow down with the cooler, shorter days, when our instinct to hibernate grows with the smells of wilting leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. Some of us wake with the cold, ready for the sharper air.

Autumn into Winter.

Best to take care of yourself as it gets colder. Here’s a few ideas.
Click here to download our Autumn Rituals eBook

Scarves

My mother always reminded us to wear scarves when we go out during winter. As generations go, I have perpetually reminded my children of the same thing and marvel at the fact that I still occasionally get a WhatsApp message from one of them saying they are unwell and down with a cold at the cusp of Autumn.

Fact is: It’s a significant patch of skin to leave exposed to the colder air and the wind. Plus a scarf is an attractive addition to almost any outfit.

Vitamin C and Echinacea

It’s inevitable to get an autumn flu, most will say. But is it, really? When we’re colder, our immune systems need to work harder and we’re more sensitive to viral infections.

It doesn’t need to be, though. Vitamin C and echinacea strengthens your immune system and helps you fight off the flu before you get it. Calm a Mama Immune Drops can also do wonders for mamas, babes and kiddos.

Flower Essence Immune Drops

Unlike other herbal supplements you may have tried that have a bitter or unpleasant taste, Immune Drops include elderflower hydrosol and have a sweet and crisp all natural flavor. For best results use consistently for a minimum of three weeks. Effective, yet gentle enough for the whole family. Great for mamas (pregnant & breastfeeding), babies, dads and everyone who may get struck down by the changing of the seasons.

Chap Stick/Lotion

Autumn is a windy season. The wind blows the cold, wet air against us all the time. It’s important to keep your chap stick at hand or else risk the perpetual ache of dry lips all the time.

Layers

Autumn is a fickle season. You can start a day fit to freeze your toes and wish for mercy from the sun by tea time. It might be an obvious suggestion, but it’s still a good idea: wear layers.

Think up new exercise habits
(AND conjure up the will to do it)

For those of us who take most of our exercise from walking and hiking (or my personal favourite: rollerblading), autumn is a dangerous season. During most of autumn it’s still pleasant to take our walks and hikes outside. As the days get colder and snow starts to fall, we might start to say that we’re not going to get exercise outside anymore. Autumn is the perfect time to start that yoga class you’ve been looking at or finally take up powerlifting or join a badminton team. It’s the perfect time to ease into indoor exercise activities to keep you fit and healthy during the winter months.

Sunscreen

As the days get shorter and the sleeves get longer, it’s easy to forget that the sun still shines at the same intensity as ever. Don’t neglect your sunscreen.

While we’re on the subject: Eat More Fish

There’s less daylight, and we’re wearing more clothing, which means we’re decreasing our best source of vitamin D: sunshine. Vitamin D helps our body regulate our calcium use, which is important for happiness and energy and basically everything we need to do. The best place for us to get vitamin D is from sunshine, so when we’re getting less sunshine it’s important to increase our intake from other sources, such as fish and eggs and cheese.

Chocolate

It´s practically common knowledge that eating chocolate (or drinking the proverbial hot cocoa as Summer turns to Fall) triggers endorphins in our brains that elicit the same feeling as `being in love´. Fact. Also: It’s just generally good advice to eat an appropriate amount of chocolate given your own physiology and the situation at hand. In the days of waning sun and growing grey, I believe it’s a good idea to eat slightly more chocolate because it makes me feel happier. Small things that make me feel happier are not bad things.

It’s getting colder and darker—take care of yourselves

However and wherever you live, your body and mind respond to the colder months. The weather changes, and we change with it. Need a nap? Do it. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s important to remember to change your habits a little and take care of yourself.

Got any Autumn Tips yourself or an autumn ritual or two to share? Let us know in Instagram and all the usual places with hashtags #autumntips #calmamama - I would LOVE to read them and add your quips to our next blog.