TRANSITIONING INTO FALL

My anticipated “FALL CORNUCOPIA ~ PRODUCT POTPOURRI” will be published soon. Until then, consider the following seasonal transition musings.

~ MY TAKE ~

As I write this, the weather is finally cooler and the humidity is low, both are a welcome relief. A few days ago, the heat and humidity in my area reared its uncomfortable head. This last gasp of summer’s worst lasted for four days and will hopefully not return at all. Even as a child, I always preferred the chill and bite of fall and winter to the summer’s fun in the sun, heat and humidity. I love the seasons of fall and winter. Thoughts of these seasons are beginning to preoccupy me as I daydream about crunching burnished leaves and the sight of snowflakes and being able to see my breath as I exhale.

Already, squirrels are searching for nuts to store for the colder month’s long haul, while blossoms of summer’s flora are diminishing. Deciduous trees have begun to tease me with their twinges of color, while falling leaves are gently covering the ground. Early mornings are beginning to be cooler, making for my meditative walks more enjoyable and meaningful.

~ MY TIPS ~

When a season transitions into the next, such as summer to fall, virtually every aspect of our daily lives also changes, and we need to be mindful of the need to change and adapt. Consider the following for transition tips for fall:

1. Climatological changes, including cooler and drier temps both indoor and outdoor, consider changing your skincare regimen to ramp up product efficacy. What worked well in the warmer and more humid months will probably be inappropriate in the cooler and drier months. Lighter weight lotions should give way to creams and butters.

2. Don’t over-exfoliate the skin; when skin is dry and aggressive exfoliation is done, it can harm the delicate tissue and irritate it. Make sure to use serums and don’t discount the wonders of face oils (e.g. olive, almond, jojoba, Argan, etc.).

3. Colder, drier air will dehydrate the skin. Skin still requires periodic exfoliation with some type of moisturizing soaps or cleansers. Skin needs to be moisturized and rehydrated to replenish depleted moisture levels and also to maintain a healthy mantel of skin.

4. Think darker and richer with your color palette, whether that’s in your makeup colors, or the colors of your wardrobe pieces. Pale and light may have been great for the summer months to deflect the harsh rays of summer sun. Now, an earthy color palette of burnished and vibrantly intense colors of fall, are more suitable. Lighter weight cotton, linen or gauzy material should be replaced with warmer wool, silk blends and heavier cotton and linen fabrics to keep the body heat in as an insulator from the cold.

5. Summer dining generally equates to lighter food fare, like salads, seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbal iced teas, iced fruit infused waters, etc. These were ideal for summer, because they were less taxing on the digestive system, and also kept a person cool. The colder months of fall and winter call for heartier foods like hot cereals, stews, soups, casseroles and the like are ideal for those colder months. These foods are nutritious, but also warming. Consider more dried fruits and nuts and make your own granola. Consider frozen fruits and vegetables, which are quick frozen right after harvesting, preserving more of the nutrient value; they’re a nice reminder of the fresher seasonal produce during the warming months.

6. Seasonal constants include maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes sufficient amounts of water for hydration, sleep to rest and recuperate, physical exercise for strength and agility, and proper nutrition to stave off illness.

7. Continue using an SPF product to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

8. Consider gathering up dried twigs, branches, leaves, etc. and creating an arrangement for a seasonal tablescape, or put them in a large basket and display by your entry.

9. If the colder weather, and shorter days are giving you cabin fever, be sure to keep the spring and summer indoor with live plants and flowers.

10. Take walks to shake the “blues” away and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you; theirs is beauty in the changing of all-things nature.

11. Don’t forget to open your windows every so often just to let some fresh air inside.

12. Lastly, consider making lists of warm weather tasks and cold weather tasks. These can include goals in skincare and body care regimens, meal planning, wardrobe, fitness routines, etc.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker. She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa, and serves as a Group Manager on the LinkedIn Spa Buzz Group. You can email her at terry_h60559@yahoo.com.

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(Photo credit: By Momiji; Wikipedia Autumn Leaf Color)