Your Guide to Wellness as the Seasons Shift
- alexandragrouzis
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall presents the perfect opportunity to reset, recharge, and reconnect with healthy habits. The transition from summer’s long, energetic days to autumn’s cooler, shorter ones can be refreshing, but it also brings challenges—from adjusting your sleep schedule to maintaining your mood as daylight dwindles. With a mindful approach, this season can become a time of balance and renewal.
Activities to Enjoy the Fall Weather
Fall’s beauty makes it an ideal season for outdoor activities that nourish both body and mind. Long walks or hikes among changing foliage not only provide gentle exercise but also help reduce stress and increase mindfulness. Outdoor yoga, bike rides, or weekend visits to apple orchards and pumpkin patches offer fun ways to stay active while embracing seasonal traditions. Even something as simple as enjoying a warm drink on the porch while wrapped in a blanket can become a grounding daily ritual that brings calm and clarity.
Some Wellness Activities to Enjoy In Nashville This Fall:
September & October: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens offers Harvest NIGHTS, that includes music performances, food trucks, and fun events. This is a great way to unplug from work and spend time with friends or families and enjoy a night in the crisp fall air.
September & October: Small World Yoga is putting on Yoga in the Park (in Centennial Park) that will run through October. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, and as the days get shorter you will even get to experience sunset yoga!
November: Metro Parks is putting on a sound bath and nature hike open to the public. The event includes a serene ½-mile guided walk through wooded trails, leading to a sound bath experience with crystal bowls, healing instruments, breathwork, and gentle somatic movement.
Resetting Your Sleep Schedule as the Days Get Shorter
With earlier sunsets and cooler evenings, our natural rhythms can be disrupted. To protect your rest, try going to bed and waking up at consistent times—even on weekends. Limit exposure to bright screens at night, and consider dimming lights an hour before bed to signal to your body it’s time to wind down. Creating a bedtime ritual, like reading or journaling, or sipping an herbal tea, can both help ease the transition from day to night and regulate your hormones. Investing in blackout curtains or a sunrise alarm clock can also support your body’s natural sleep cycles as daylight hours shrink.
Many Apps provide help tracking and optimizing your sleep:
Tips for Mood Changes During Darker/Colder Weather
The shift to shorter, darker days can bring a dip in energy or mood for many. To combat this, maximize your exposure to natural light—open curtains wide in the morning, take breaks outdoors during the day, and consider a light therapy lamp if needed. Staying active through movement you enjoy, whether it’s a brisk walk, dance class, or gentle stretching, can help release mood-boosting endorphins. Don’t underestimate the power of social connection either: plan cozy gatherings with friends, or try a gratitude journaling practice to keep perspective during colder months. By intentionally weaving joy and light into your routine, you can nurture resilience throughout the season.
Fall is more than just a season of change—it’s a chance to slow down, savor the present, and cultivate habits that support your wellbeing. By leaning into seasonal activities, protecting your sleep, and caring for your mental health, you can make autumn a restorative and uplifting chapter in your year.
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