September marks the season when we officially bid farewell to summer, the season that left us all happy but tired at the same time. More so this summer with the heat waves, fires and pandemic. So say goodbye to exciting summer adventures. You don’t have to feel nostalgic. Your tan may fade but the memories will last for a long time.
SOPHIE THEMELIS
WELLNESS COACH,
PILATES INSTRUCTOR,
FREE SPIRIT
How to get back into the “spirit” of wellness after your summer break?
Simple: address the pillars of wellness now, when you are still fresh, rested and just finished your summer break. Consider creating wellness habits if you haven’t already. The average time it takes to establish a habit is only 2 weeks!
Autumn means cool, clean air combined with warm colours. Take advantage of it! Go for a jog, a bike ride, a long walk on an empty beach and – why not – experiment with winter swimming!
You may need to change your exercise routine to stay enthusiastic, if you used to run indoors or on a treadmill during the heat, try taking it outdoors or vice versa, add some new exercise moves or change the order to keep your exercise an exciting habit.
” “You need to preserve a little bit of summer,
even in the middle of winter”!
Henry David Thoreau
”
Remember to pay attention to your biological clock as it gets darker earlier with fewer hours of sunlight. If you feel tired, adjust your sleep schedule. Consider waking up earlier as well as going to bed early to help your circadian rhythm. This will give you a long list of benefits: resetting your biological system, more energy, better time management, more time for exercise, more productive and positive outlook on life. Plus your exposure to sunlight, which automatically means more vitamin D!
Even if you don’t get into a new habit, the small changes you make will make a difference. So even if you don’t jog regularly three times/week, walking and stretching for short periods several times a day can have a huge impact, especially if you are sitting for long hours due to the nature of your job. While you’re working, try to limit the amount of time you spend looking at your screen or taking frequent breaks. Small steps – huge benefits!
In terms of diet, consider detoxing after a hard summer, loaded with ice cream, cocktails, BBQs… etc. Start your day by drinking a glass of warm water with half a lemon juice. This will ensure that you get your daily intake of vitamin C and electrolytes. Continue the detox by eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables.
Make sure you have a well-balanced diet, rich in lean protein, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, fruit and healthy fats. Remember as the weather gets colder, we go into hibernation mode – this means more craving for mummy food (“comfort food”). So watch your intake of fatty, sugary and salty snacks, as – let’s not hide it – the holidays were loaded with cookies, cakes, pies, drinks and desserts!
” Even if you don’t get a new habit,
the small changes you make count
and they will make a difference
”
Your health can benefit greatly from eating healthy, local and seasonal produce. Next time you go to the market, fill your basket with colourful products. Use organic ingredients and super foods sourced from small farms that boost your mood, immunity, nutrient levels and even your attitude towards life! Experiment with vegetarian recipes. Consider intermittent fasting 2-3 days a week to reset your metabolism and even lose some weight.
I smell the autumn, I see it dancing with the breeze…
Autumn has its magical moments, enjoy them!
Happy Autumn!
Fully meet your body’s needs by creating a small spa at home to take care of your skin, hair and nails that have been “bombarded” by wind, seawater, heat and sweat… However, use the seawater for a summer look for your hair by using coarse salt at the end of the shower/bath. Apply it to your body, do a very light rinse (try to keep some salt on your skin) and watch the wonders happen to your mind, body and soul as Henry David Thoreau said “You must keep a little in the summer, even in the middle of winter”!
Finally, take some time to meditate, connect with the universe and find your inner peace and balance.
Even if COVID19 remains, focus on the beauty of the leaves that fall as if falling in love with the ground. Relax and indulge in Autumn, stay alive and fall in love with your healthy lifestyle. No COVID19 can take that away from you!
Happy Autumn!
Edited by Lillian Psyla
en
Sophie Themelis, Wellness Coach, Pilates Instructor, Free Spirit
September is the time of year we say goodbye to summer, to the season that left all of us both happy and weary at the same time. More so this summer with the heat waves, fires, and the pandemic. So wave goodbye to the hot, humid difficult yet thrilling adventures. No need to feel nostalgic; your tan may fade but the memories will last for a long time.
How to ease back into a wellness mindset after your summer break?
Simple: address the pillars of wellness right now that you are still fresh, rested and have just finished your summer break. Consider establishing wellness habits if you have not done so already.The average time required to establish one is 2 weeks!
Fall means cool crisp air in warm-color settings. Take advantage! Go for a jog, a bike ride, a long walk on an empty beach and why not experiment with becoming an all-year swimmer!
You may need to switch your exercise routine to stay motivated, if you used to run indoors on a treadmill during the heat, take it outdoors, or vice versa, add some new exercise moves or change the order to keep it exciting.
Remember to pay attention to your internal clock as it gets darker earlier with fewer sunlight hours. If you are feeling tired adjust your sleep schedule. Consider waking up earlier as well as going to bed early to help your circadian rhythm. This will give you a long list of benefits: body system reboot, more energy, better time management, more time to exercise, more productive and positive outlook in life. Plus your exposure to sunlight = more vitamin D!
Even if you do not establish a new habit the little changes that you will make do count and will make a difference. So even if you are not regularly jogging 3times/week, walking and stretching in short bursts several times a day can make a huge impact, especially if you are stuck sitting most of your work day. While you are at it try to limit your screen time as well. Small steps with huge benefits!
As for nutrition, consider to detox after the harsh summer, loaded with ice-creams, cocktails, bar-B-Ques …etc. Start your day by drinking a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. This will insure that you get Vitamin c and electrolytes daily. Continue to detox by eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables.
Make sure to have a well-balanced diet rich in lean protein, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. Remember as the weather gets colder we go into hibernation mode – that means more cravings for comfort food, watch your intake of fatty, sugary and salty snacks. The Holidays are just around the corner loaded with cookies, cakes, pies, drinks and desserts.
Your health can greatly benefit from eating healthy, local, and in season products.n. The next time your go to the LAIKI fill your basket with colorful goods. Use organic ingredients and super foods sourced from small farms that boost your mood, immunity, nutrient levels, and outlook on life! Experiment with vegetarian or vegan food. Consider having intermittent fasting 2-3 days a week to reboots your metabolism, even lose some weight.
Complete catering to your body needs by creating a little spa at home to attend to your skin, hair and nails that have been bombarded with wind, sea water, heat, and sweat,… However continue having the sea water and summer effect by using coarse salt at the end of your shower/bath. Spread it over your body, very light rinse (try to keep some salt on your skin) and watch the wonders happen to your mind, body and soul as MICHAEL STILLWELLGETTY SAID “One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
Finally set aside some time for yourself to meditate, connect with the universe and find your inner peace and balance.
Even if COVID19 is still lingering, concentrate on the beauty of the falling leaves as if they’re falling in love with the ground. Take lead, ease into Fall, stay vibrant and fall in love with your healthy lifestyle no Covid can take that away from you!
I can smell Autum dancing in the breeze, Fall has its magical moments!
Kalo Ftinoporo!
September 2021
Edited by Lilian Psylla
