Transitioning from Summer to Fall: How to Support Your Body and Mind
I’m feeling it, the light is beginning to fade a little earlier each evening, the chill is creeping into my morning walks, and the non-stop pace of summer is starting to slow just a little. As we begin to shift from summer to fall, our bodies and minds often sense the change long before we consciously acknowledge it.
If you’ve been feeling a bit off lately – more tired than usual, craving heavier foods, or struggling to stick to your usual wellness habits – you’re not alone. Seasonal transitions can affect everything from our digestion, mood, and energy levels. But the good news is with a little intention, this can be one of the most restorative times of the year.
Here’s how to align your wellness routine with the season and ease into autumn feeling grounded, nourished, and resilient.
1) Tap into Nature’s wisdom
The long days of summer are slowing down, and it’s ok if we feel the urge to do the same. As the temperatures cool, our bodies naturally start shifting out of summer’s high-energy mode and into a slower more introspective rhythm.
Here’s how we can adjust our daily routine and honour that shift.
Sleep: Try going to bed 30-60 minutes earlier to match the earlier sunsets. Fall is a great time to improve sleep habits.
Light exposure: Get outside in the morning light when you can – it helps reset your clock and supports a stable mood.
Mindfulness: A few minutes of quiet reflection outdoors or by an open window can help anchor you in this transitional space.
2) Shift your Nutrition
After months of juicy fruits, smoothies, and salads, our bodies may start craving something more grounding, and that’s exactly what it needs. According to both modern nutrition and traditional wellness systems like Ayurveda, fall is the season to nourish yourself with warm, cooked foods that build strength and stability. Here are some examples you may like to try!
- Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots
- Warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger or turmeric
- Hearty grains
- Soups and stews
3) Support your Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
It’s common to feel a little emotionally unsettled during seasonal changes. The end of summer especially can bring a subtle grief – goodbye to long days, vacations, or more flexible schedules. Meanwhile the coming of fall can trigger anxiety around winter approaching.
Try these grounding practices:
- Seasonal journalling prompts like:
“What am I ready to let go of from summer?”
“What qualities do I want to carry into fall?
- Practice gratitude for small autumn comforts
- Lean into slowing down
There’s nothing wrong with wanting more rest or introspection. This is a season for turning inward, just like the trees.
We just must allow ourselves to feel whatever is coming up, without judgement. Transitions are a time for growth.
I guess the most important thing is to embrace the change. Seasons can be teachers if we allow them. For me, fall invites us to ground, release, and reconnect. Instead of fighting the changes you’re feeling, see them as a gentle nudge to come back home to yourself. If we honour the transition, our body and mind will thank us.
Until next time…