Ahh don't you just love a new season?! There is something quite alluring about Autumn that ignites the soul. I do believe that once we get over those hazy Summer vibes and welcome in the cosiness of October we get a sense of comfort. It could be just the fact that we wrap up in cosy clothes, light the fire and eat more butternut squash soup. It is the season for hunkering down with a good book and a favourite cup of tea wouldn't you agree?
Here are just some of the benefits of embracing Autumn with Ease...
Better Sleep - in the autumn, sunrise ands sunset comes earlier every single day.
The dip in available sunlight triggers different adjustments in our bodies which should reset and make you sleepy earlier.
It's also been said that lower temperatures help us sleep better, allowing fresh air to circulate so maybe leave your window slightly open on one of the nights and see if you get a better nights sleep.
Autumn Colours - if you find you're feeling 'down', there's no faster way to pick up your mood than to step outside.
Go for a 10 minute walk to your local park and notice how the Autumn leaves are bursting with colour
Not only does a hit of Vitamin D do incredible things for our serotonin levels, but there's something innately soothing about being in the fresh air.
During October, when the landscape is especially beautiful and colourful, the sight of bright leaves will dramatically and immediately boost your happiness and mental health.
Seasonal Spices - you can't have Autumn comfort food without plenty of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Fortunately, all three of these spices are delicious, and they improve your whole body health. Particularly nutmeg has germ killing properties to help keep flu and covid viruses at bay, ginger improves the circulation, and cinnamon is linked to lower inflammation levels!
Togetherness - On a cold night, with the frost just gathering on the grass, is there anything better than snuggling up under a blanket with a loved and watching a movie? Whether you're cozying up to your partner, your kids, your pets — or some combination of the three — there's nothing more comforting than a night in. Plus, all of that physical contact boosts our oxytocin levels, and makes us bond more closely with the people we're hibernating with!
If you're ever in the cooking mood, here is a lovely soup recipe you might like to make, one evening this week... Taken from the GoodFood website - butternut squash soup with chilli & crème fraîche
Ingredients
1 butternut squash, about 1kg, peeled and deseeded
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 onions, diced
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
2 mild red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
850ml hot vegetable stock
4 tbsp crème fraîche, plus more to serve
Method
STEP 1 Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
STEP 2 Cut the squash into large cubes, about 4cm/1½in across, then toss in a large roasting tin with 1 tbsp of the olive oil.
STEP 3 Roast for 30 mins, turning once during cooking, until golden and soft.
STEP 4 While the butternut squash cooks, melt the butter with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan then add the onions, garlic clove and three-quarters of the chillies.
STEP 5 Cover and cook on a very low heat for 15-20 mins until the onions are completely soft.
STEP 6 Tip the butternut squash into the pan, add the stock and crème fraîche, then whizz with a blender until smooth. For a really silky soup, put the soup into a liquidiser and blitz it in batches.
STEP 7 Return to the pan, gently reheat, then season to taste. Serve the soup in bowls with swirls of crème fraîche and a scattering of the remaining chopped chilli.
I hope you're now feeling a little more cosy and ready to embrace all that Autumn offers.
For further information about our upcoming Writing & Wellness retreats, make sure you follow us on Instagram. We have some really exciting new retreats to announce this October!
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe
Tanya xox
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