5 Signs of Autumn
Proving we are still guided by Mother Nature
Autumn officially starts at the end of September at the equinox. The point where day and night are the same length, before the days begin to get shorter and the nights longer.
Change is in the air and as Mother Nature is busy keeping peace between Summer and Winter she'll let us know how we can live well. Here are 5 ways that tell us Autumn has truly arrived and that we’re still very much in tune with nature;
Falling Leaves
At this time of year it’s always a treat to head out to the forest to witness the leaves changing from green to an incredible display of vibrant colours. Although not necessary as parks, avenues and even supermarkets have deciduous trees that command your attention. Leaves strew pavements and parks and collect in corners of the city as the wind sweeps through buildings and catches them. These crispy crunchy piles are very tempting for children, dogs and anyone who embraces their inner child to either jump straight in or kick high into the air.
Even if you have *somehow* managed to not go outside you would've come across the pictures on social media; time-lapse videos of trees loosing their leaves, colourful, dry foliage as a still life art form and girls in cosy sweaters in the golden Autumn sun. We can't help but be moved by Autumn. Nature gives us one last burst of colour, the grand finale of a successful summer season, and the display unfolds to leave the trees bare as winter beckons. We can all relate to the deeper significance it conveys; Autumn invites us to witness the fragility of life and serves as a reminder to the beauty of letting things go and embracing change. There is still a lingering warmth for a while, before we gradually move in line with the reality of the cold that inevitably comes through in the end. It's always sad that summer is over but that doesn't mean Autumn isn't worthy of the same affection. We are blessed to be given such beauty and insight this season.
Jack Frost is nipping at our nose
You know it's really autumn when the morning air is crisp and cold, when you can see your breath in the air and fern-like patterns appear on cold windows. Before we had scientific answers to weather patterns we'd say it was the playful character Jack Frost, the personification of ice and snow with a sense of mischief.
Jack reminds us that we maybe turning the heating on regularly and wrapping up in layers of clothes but it's not so bad...and it can even be fun! He makes us see the beauty in the cold, he makes us feel alive as our cheeks get a little ruddy and the wind smacks us in the face. The promise of hot chocolatey goodness on a return from an outing is oh so much more enjoyable after being exposed to the elements than if we've just been indoors all day.
We crave hearty meals and comfort food
Autumn is all about preserving life. Animals begin preparing for winter by storing food and making plans for hibernation and we humans harvest our crops and spend more time indoors in our 'nest'. We seek comfort with foods such as stews and simmering hot pots with dumplings. Soup and roast dinners start to come into their own as all these satisfying, nutritious foods boost our immunity, make us feel safe, less cold and loved.
Energy levels drop
If you've noticed a slump in energy that coincides with the colder weather and fading sunlight, you're not alone. It's all to do with darker days. Reduced sunlight is known to cause mood, sleep and digestion changes and when energy levels drop we tend to feel tired earlier in the day. We can't just hibernate like hedgehogs but we can boost both our mood and energy levels by considering some lifestyle habits such as; getting enough sunlight during the day, engaging in moderate exercise, ensuring we get good quality sleep and making time for friends, family and ourselves to do the things we enjoy. It should never be a battle against the forces of nature, rather we should take these cues and listen to our bodies to understand autumn fatigue and what we can do to help manage it. We want to be able to face the cold season with improved energy and immunity.
We bring the light inside with candles
As the days get shorter and it gets dark earlier we retreat indoors and focus on making our homes warm and snug. It makes sense that many of us enjoy candles this time of year as they inherently create a warm, soft, natural light and a sense of reassurance and comfort. It was only very recently in human history that we have had artificial light to serve us. Candles used to be the antidote to darker days but if we were to try to rely entirely on candlelight to achieve the same lighting as a 40 watt bulb, we'd have to light dozens of candles. Very hyggelig but pretty impractical as an everyday occurrence. Not to mention a bit of a fire hazard.
A single candle with it's warm glow and delightful scent can be enough to lift our mood. Candlelight has a calming effect on the brain. The low light gives the impression of life slowing down and we are drawn to the gentle flicker of the flame as it provides a natural focal point to centre our thoughts. Little lights help bighten darker days.
