Embracing Autumn: How to Stay Well and Maintain Good Mental Health as the Evenings Grow Darker

As the vibrant days of summer fade into the cool embrace of autumn, we begin to notice the evenings growing shorter, the light retreating earlier each day. For many, this shift in season brings a sense of introspection, but it can also invite feelings of lethargy or even sadness as the natural world around us slows down. I love summer and I hate to see it leave, especially when we are kinda still waiting for it to come here in Ireland! Over the last five years or so, I’ve made a conscious effort to shift my mindset to embrace each season equally and with that comes a greater sense of ease. It takes effort, it takes intention, but it’s very possible. Here’s some ideas on how you can stay well and maintain a positive mindset as the evenings get darker.

1. Honour the Seasonal Shift with a Gentle Practice

Autumn is a season of transition, and just as nature adapts, so too should our yoga practice. This is a wonderful time to slow down and embrace a more restorative approach. Incorporate gentle flows, longer holds, and grounding postures that help you connect with the earth. Poses like Child’s Pose (Balasana), Forward Fold (Uttanasana), and Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) can be particularly soothing, inviting a sense of calm and introspection. My class schedule reflects this also, by offering slower, longer hold classes full of cosiness and warmth

2. Embrace the Power of Breathwork

As the air becomes crisp and the days cooler, our breath can serve as a powerful tool to maintain balance and warmth within. Incorporating breathwork (Pranayama) into your daily routine can help you stay centered and energised. Try practices like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to balance the mind and body, or Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) to invigorate your system and dispel any sluggishness that might come with the darker evenings. Check out the new class on Thursdays called Core & Calm that incorporates breathwork into it

3. Create a Cosy, Nurturing Environment

With the evenings drawing in earlier, we naturally spend more time indoors. This makes it the perfect opportunity to create a cosy, nest at home that supports your well-being. Consider setting up a dedicated space for your practice or meditation, filled with warm lighting, soft blankets, and calming scents like lavender or cedarwood. This space can become your sanctuary, a place to retreat and recharge as the world outside becomes quieter.

4. Stay Active and Connected

It’s easy to retreat into ourselves as the days get shorter, but staying active and connected is key to maintaining good mental health. Make an effort to keep up with your physical activity, whether through your yoga practice, brisk walks in nature, or other forms of exercise that you enjoy. Movement not only boosts your mood but also helps combat the sluggishness that can come with the change in season.

Equally important is staying connected with your community, whether it’s joining a yoga class, reaching out to friends, joining one of our new Social Saturday meet ups once a month, or engaging in activities that bring you joy. Remember, you don’t have to go through this seasonal shift alone.

5. Nourish Your Body with Seasonal Foods

Autumn brings an abundance of nourishing foods that can help support your well-being. Focus on warming, grounding foods like root vegetables, soups, and stews. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric can also help keep your body warm and your immune system strong. Support your lung qi with apples, onions, mushrooms, pears and sweet potato. By aligning your diet with the season, you’re not only supporting your physical health but also creating a deeper connection with the rhythms of nature. And start a vitamin D supplement in October

6. Practice Gratitude and Reflection

The darker evenings naturally invite a more reflective state of mind. Use this time to cultivate gratitude for the abundance in your life and to reflect on your personal journey. Journaling can be a powerful practice, allowing you to process your thoughts and emotions. Consider writing down a few things you’re grateful for each day, or reflect on the lessons you’ve learned throughout the year. This practice can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s present, fostering a more positive and balanced mindset. Every night I fall asleep after considering the following - what Im grateful for today and what I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I also enjoy creating a seasonal love-to-do list, a mini bucketlist of experiences and place I’d like to do and see.

7. Prioritise Rest and Self-Care

As the world around us slows down, it’s important to honour our own need for rest. Autumn is a time to recharge and restore, so listen to your body and prioritise self-care. This could mean getting to bed earlier, indulging in a warm bath, or simply taking time each day to do something that brings you joy and peace. Or booking a class or take up a hobby that brings you joy and revitalises you. Remember, self-care is essential for maintaining your mental health and well-being.

8. Spend time outdoors

Enjoy the leaves changing, wrap up and go for a brisk walk in the cool air. Its the perfect time for hiking or strolling with a cuppa in your hand. Grab your camera and snap memories of the season. Collect apples, blackberries and other foraged finds. Toast marshmallows over a campfire and star gaze curled up in a blanket. The sea swells start to pick up too, it’s surf season! So much to look forward to!

9. Try a Night Walk

I’m a big fan of walking my dogs at twilight. Its my favourite time of the day, the glooming. Where the light takes on this blue quality and everything is a little more hazy and soft on the eye, a liminal space between the day and night to come. Wrap up, whistle to your dog, grab a torch, tell someone where you’re going to be safe and reclaim the night as your own. Be responsible obviously but it’s very liberating and calming to take a night time stroll.

The darker evenings of autumn don’t have to be a time of gloom or sadness. By adjusting our routines, embracing the season’s offerings, and staying mindful of our mental and physical health, we can find beauty and peace in this time of year. Let’s use this season as an opportunity to turn inward, to nurture ourselves, and to appreciate the quieter moments. After all, just as nature needs this time to rest and rejuvenate, so do we.

Remember to approach this season with compassion for yourself. Allow yourself the space to slow down, to rest, and to honour your own needs. As we transition through autumn, let your yoga practice and self-care rituals be your guide, helping you stay balanced, grounded, and well.

Happy Autumn my friends,

Maeve x