Let's get ready for autumn

Autumn is here and the changing season can affect our diet and lifestyle choices. The cooler temperatures and arrival of darker weather conditions can affect our energy. It can be beneficial to look at our diets and supplement supports to optimise energy production.

1. Embrace the season

A healthy, balanced diet is important but cold weather and dark evenings often leave us craving comfort food. Switching to food that is cooked rather than having too much raw food will help contain energy in our bodies and help support digestion. Start the day with warming porridge topped with cinnamon and chopped walnuts for a slow releasing energy boost or boiled eggs with toast. Stewed fruit like apple or pear topped with ground ginger is also a treat for the digestive system. Tuck into seasonal veggies for soups, stews and casseroles or roasted veg topped with herbs and seasoning – a great way to ensure you are consuming a wide range of nutrients.

2. Be supplement savvy

We want to try and maintain a strong immune system to deal with the coming months and there are certain nutrients that are typically lacking in the winter months such as Vitamin D. I recommend the Better You range of Vitamin D Sprays which are available in different strengths and ensure good absorption. It is also important to think about taking a probiotic as gut bacteria is very involved in immunity and energy production. Bio-Kult is a unique multi-strain live bacteria supplement with 14 strains of live bacteria. Finally, it is important to mention the main energy givers which are the B Vitamins and can be made by our gut bacteria if it is healthy and strong. Given our busy lifestyles, our levels can become depleted very quickly and I recommend taking a B-Complex such as Solgar Vitamin B-Complex 50 or Stressveda which is a combination of Ashwagandha (an adaptogenic herb) and B Vitamins.

3. Get spicy

There is a wide selection of herbs and spices which can be hugely beneficial to our health and add great flavour to our cooking. The warming spices include cinnamon, ginger, cumin and turmeric. It is the season of hearty soups, stews and casseroles as we move on in to October and spices are an easy way to add value to our comfort food.

4. Aim for a lunchtime walk

It is now so important to get fresh air whenever we can and a lunchtime walk will help with digestion and give a boost of energy especially if we tend to work indoors with artificial lighting. Being physically active plays a role in boosting immune function. Use this time to get some fresh air in to your lungs and clear out any toxins by taking deep breaths which will help the nervous system too. Even 15 minutes a day at this time is very beneficial and can become part of a healthy lifestyle. It will also help you sleep better.

5. Prioritise sleep

One of the best things you can do for your health and happiness is to create a regular sleep schedule and stick to it. The shorter days of autumn and winter mean less sunlight which directly impacts melatonin (a key sleep hormone). Relax in a warm bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender oil for total relaxation before bedtime.