Pic credit: Bespoke Letterpress

It’s the season to get cosy as we ease into autumn and prepare for the cooler months. This seasonal shift can play on our emotions, energy and general wellbeing so here are a few ideas to take you from simply surviving to thriving during this time. Grab your favourite notebook and a cup of tea, it’s time to be inspired. 

Embrace comforting food

A switch in seasonal flavours and fresh produce equals cooking inspiration time.  Eating local and in-season foods is more affordable and better for the environment. Experiment with new recipes, ways of cooking and baking ideas. Eat Well from the NZ Herald is a trusted guide for a kitchen reboot! Drink plenty of herbal tea and remember to stay hydrated.

Beauty

As the seasons change, our beauty choices need to follow suit. Switch over to richer, hydrating formulations and introduce skincare tweaks like a mask, serum or hydrating spray. Never forget the year-round constant, an SPF. Modify your makeup with subtle nods to new season hues like chocolate brown, ivory beige and greyish blue. Swap your light floral fragrance for a more heady, exotic scent for winter. And don’t forget a cosy room fragrance for home ambience and mood-enhancer for all. Shop statement options now at Ocare.

Sleep hygiene

Use this time to refill your rest cup, reinvigorate your energy levels and press pause on the rush of summer activity. Retreat indoors and reset your rhythms. As much as it can be easy to cancel a gym class, stay committed to your exercise regime for better sleep, to stimulate feel-good hormones and keep the immune system healthy. Put your devices down an hour before bedtime for improved sleep.

Mindfulness

A great time of year to practise mindfulness and being still in the moment. A relaxing manicure, journaling session, a luxurious bath, listening to your favourite podcast, joining a book club and picking up a hobby are ways to slow down. Find the energising beauty in the things you love doing!

Wardrobe switch

It’s good to de-clutter the wardrobe twice a year and swap out clothes you have not worn all summer and inject new season refreshes. A post-summer purge can be so invigorating and winter the ideal time to organise a capsule wardrobe. Not only does this help pull together a look quickly, but it also clears the mind mentally. Seek the support of a stylist if need be.

Uplevel your environment

Autumn is a wonderful time to take a step back and asses your home environment. According to leading mind mentor Martha Beck, living spaces are ‘three-dimensional portraits of our inner lives’. Use this new season to ensure your home aligns with your energy by decluttering, layering with cosy extras and creating a calming sanctuary.