A Perfect Time to Slow Down
Happy October!
I LOVE October and I love fall. Something about fall makes life feel like it can slow down. Obviously depending on our careers and our lives, perhaps fall can feel busier for some, but as the weather cools off and as people settle into routine, its a great opportunity for more family movie nights, evenings in, to make time for cooking at home, slower living, and focusing on the remainder of the year.
October serves as a proper lull before the holidays.
Fall sports and fall training is in full swing for athletes. Parents with kids are in the back to school schedule. Individuals who work in corporate jobs are preparing for holiday sales, Q4 goals, and end of year / winter time prep.
Fast paced living is all too common. I have found that as the weather gets worse and as we get less sunlight, I feel more and more inclined to honor my circadian rhythm and spend a little more time at home in the mornings and evenings when I can.
Falling into routine is important, it brings structure, consistency, and dependability to our lives. Healthy, well balanced routines that honor a slower pace of life can support your longevity and energy levels for when life gets chaotic, travel seems to be unrelenting, and life feels unpredictable. Leaning on the predictable times of our lives allows us to full lean into the less structured and chaotic periods with less worry.
Here are a few ways I honor my body’s desire to slow down and get into a rhythm with work and life.
1) Focus on building your routine.
Ask yourself, when do you like to wake up? When does your body feel tired? Based on your goals, how much personal time, sleep, and recovery time do you need? Start by structuring your sleep and wake schedule, and then move on to structuring a work & productivity schedule (or a family schedule) that you know you must honor.
Build workouts and mandatory “self-care” hours into your week. Ensure you have one night or morning a week that is fully dedicated to you and your restoration, and doing things that will leave you feeling better and more prepared for the next week.
2) Ask yourself - is this a NEED?
If you are feeling overwhelmed by your commitments, it’s okay to change your mind, say no, pull back, or re-prioritize.
Ask yourself, is XYZ good for you? Are you doing it to please others? What NEEDS to be on your schedule vs. what is self-imposed/additional that could be chunked out into other weeks?
If you are busy and have a lot going on, try and find balance with other priorities, maybe one less workout class or gym night if you go multiple times a week, and instead go for a walk or do an at-home yoga workout. Get creative as best as you can to ensure you have enough time for you.
3) Include 1 lower-impact, slow-paced exercise in your routine
Be it Yoga, Pilates, or walking, pick something that focuses on mindfulness and restoration.
Yoga and Pilates are perfect because they both require you to be fully mindful and invested in an hour of practice. Yoga and Pilates both focus on the breath and should be a slower-paced practice that allows you to reconnect and check in with your body during each movement.
4) Cook / Bake at home and watch a movie
Fall is the best time for nights in. I LOVE going out to eat in the summer, but when fall rolls around, something about baking and cooking warm, healthy meals or tasty desserts at home really hits. You can have a date night in, and do things based on your schedule, vs. running around to restaurants and spending money. Sometimes a date night in can do wonders for your mental health, and your relationships (girls’ night/ date night/ family movie night, you name it!).
Interested in adding Pilates to your routine? Click here to schedule an introductory session!
