I’m a summer baby and love all things sunshine, beach and poolside! Warm weather and flowers blooming everywhere is my idea of heaven. Add a strong Wi-Fi signal to that and a cold Frappé (Greek iced coffee) and I’m in paradise!
But the truth is, the more preferences we have, the more we set ourselves up for disappointment. Because life is not about controlling everything, it’s about living fully and thriving no matter what our preferences are. Weather included!
Dealing with a health challenge like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 18 years and physical disability for 10 years, winter became my dreaded season. Whatever challenges I faced were amplified by 100 during the cold, dark and icy months. And I had the receipts to prove it: a bad fall and break; seasons of limited mobility stuck in the house; depression; worsening of MS symptoms every winter for years… the list goes on.
And so, when the first leaves of Autumn would appear, that beautiful landscape of life would be covered all over, by my dread.
But that isn’t the case anymore.
I’ve come to see autumn as a time of beauty and release. A season that shows us how to let go with grace. The trees don’t fight the change; they celebrate it. And look how breathtakingly beautiful that can be. I see that, and I feel proud of myself for the ways I’ve learned to let go, too, of the thoughts that no longer serve me and of the fears that kept me small.
So, while many people, like me, have strong preferences for certain seasons, longing for spring’s flowers and clinging to summer’s warmth can keep us from experiencing the beauty of what’s right in front of us, right now.
Sooo, Autunm has arrived, bring on the pumpkin spice lattes!
The Art of Being Here
When you are in personal thought, you are in the limits of your mind – the familiar corridors built from memory, experience, preferences, opinion, expectation, and habit. Through those walls, the world appears filtered, colored by whatever feeling happens to be passing through. It’s not a clear view.
To be in the present is to step beyond the boundaries of thought and into the infinite. A space that is vast, alive, and unmeasured. Here, nothing has yet been named. There is no past to carry and no future to fear. Only awareness itself: clear, open, and awake. From this stillness, creativity, insight, and peace arise effortlessly, for they are not constrained by what you think, but alive with what is. In presence, you are not thinking life; you are life.
And so, enter Autumn: a gentle reminder of that infinite realm of presence. Every falling leaf, every breath of wind, every burst of color is a living canvas and invitation to return to the now. The season itself is life/art in motion, a divine tapestry God has created for us to play in.
Here are some ways I’ve come to appreciate this whimsical season…
Connect with Nature
Spend a little time in nature every day, because you are of nature, and when you reconnect with that something in you awakens, physically and mentally. The effect is more energy and a calmer, clearer mind. It is rejuvenating for every type of body.
Science calls it “biophilia”. Time outdoors slows the heart, steadies the breath, and allows us to feel more at peace. It reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood and focus and inspires calm and creativity.
If you can walk outside, do it! If walking isn’t possible, sit outside or by an open window or patio door. Feel the breeze on your skin, breathe in the crisp air, look up at the burning sun. This is therapy.
Because of my disability, I can no longer walk or hike the way I use to, but I still do what I can and also have a scooter that I use outside every day. I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be complicated or extreme, I can just surrender to my circumstance and feel the bliss of being outside. The divine doesn’t ask for strength or distance, only presence. When I’m outside I feel the cool wind on my face, I see the sunlight flickering through the colored leaves, and I feel the gentle rhythm of life all around me. You can feel that from any position.
Sacred moments are not somewhere else. They are in your noticing and your willingness to see them.
Comforting Rituals for the Cold Months
Be Festive!🍁🌲
Festivities always brighten my mood and I love decorating my home with autumn accents. This brings out my inspiration and creativity.
We usually go apple and/or pumpkin picking every autumn, and for years I loved baking a fresh apple pie from our pickings. But over time, I’ve learned to balance my seasonal festivities with my energy.
What does that look like? Sometimes, instead of baking a pie entirely from scratch, I’ll buy a readymade crust and just prepare the filling myself. Other times, I’ll simply visit a local bakery, pick up a gorgeous apple pie and pop it in the oven for a few minutes. This gives the same beautiful aroma filling the air and seasonal treat, just without the work.
And when it comes to pumpkins, you don’t need to spend a day at the patch to capture that autumn feeling. I love stopping by my local grocery store or farmer’s market, picking out a few pumpkins, and having my kids arrange them outside the house. Instantly, that cozy autumn look to greet you whenever you arrive home or go outside. I love it!
Creating beauty around you isn’t just about appearance, it’s a form of selfcare. A home that feels warm and inviting tells your body it’s safe to relax and your mind it’s okay to rest.
I also like to keep small pumpkins and shiny apples, that I can simply order with my grocery delivery, in bowls around the kitchen. It makes the space feel warm, welcoming, and so “autumny.”
Let your home become your sanctuary, not a place you’re stuck in, but a place you love to be in.
Creating a Calm, Stress-Reducing Space for Autumn Evenings
Your home has an effect on your mood and sense of peace. As days grow shorter and cooler, autumn is a perfect time to create a cozy, stress-reducing environment at home that supports rest and reflection. Besides being festive and decorating, here are some other things I like to practice to create a sense of peace in my home and support mind and body health:
- Light candles – the soft glow mimics sunlight and soothes the nervous system.
- Brew herbal tea – chamomile, cinnamon, or ginger tea warms the body and quiets the mind.
- Play gentle music or nature sounds. This creates a mood and helps you unwind.
- Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and read something inspiring or nostalgic. Or watch a heartfelt movie. Relax.
- Practice stretching, breathing and mindfulness while you go about your evening routines.
- Light a cozy fire or sit by a window and simply watch the light change. Embrace the stillness.
The Healing Ritual of an Autumn Simmer Pot
One of my favorite, easy, fun and therapeutic rituals to do in autumn is a simmer pot. I simmer any combination of tangerine or orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, rosemary, cardamon seeds and/or star anise in a pot of water on my stove top. The aroma fills the house creating such a warm and inviting atmosphere. There are so many benefits to this like aromatherapy, mood support and air purification, but more than this, it simply feels good for the soul!
We are all different. Find what resonates with you.
The Importance of a Cozy & Supportive Living Space in Cooler Months
Autumn reminds us that life comes in seasons. Some are active and exciting and others are quiet and contemplative. There is wisdom in honoring the season you’re in instead of longing for the next. Let autumn teach you to release what is heavy and trust the pauses between chapters. Your peace is measured not by your productivity, but by your presence.
As nights grow longer and temperatures drop, our homes become more than shelters, they become healing spaces, sometimes even what I think of as hibernation coves. Creating a cozy environment allows you to honor the shift in season and support your body and mind through the colder months. Be, nurturing, loving, patient and kind to yourself. Slow down and pay attention to what your body needs, be it warmth or rest.
Autumn Self-Care for Those Living With MS
For those of us living with Multiple Sclerosis, autumn can be both a gift and a challenge. Cooler temperatures ease heat sensitivity, but the change of time, lack of sun and cold weather can increase symptoms and make daily life even more challenging. For me, fatigue becomes a bigger factor to manage.
These are some of the things I’ve incorporated in my life to help with the cooler months:
- Regular redlight therapy to improve energy and reduce inflammation. I am able to do this at my gym but there are other alternatives, even home solutions.
- Daily, gentle, exercise or movement that respects my body’s limits. This also includes stretching, standing or walking.
- A healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods. During autumn that can be seasonal foods like apples, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, turmeric and ginger. Eating healthy can be fun and festive!
- No matter what the weather is, getting outside and seeing the sun for some time every day.
- Hydration with water and herbal teas like cinnamon, apple spice, chamomile or dandelion root.
- Daily supplements like Vitamin D and Vitamin B Complex.
- Energy conservation. I honor my body’s rhythm and need for rest as daylight shortens.
As I mentioned, living with Secondary Progressive MS, every year, my progression pursued, especially during the colder months, it was palpable. But I’m happy to say that that hasn’t been the case for several years now. I believe that a mind/body/spirit approach has helped me and surrendering to every season of life with grace and gratitude.
By creating a calm, supportive, and nourishing space, the tougher seasons can become seasons of rest, reflection, and gentle healing, even for those of us managing the challenges of MS and disability.
Written By: Anna Giannakouros