Transitioning to Autumn by Michelle Roques O’Neil, leading Aromatherapist and Founder of Therapie Roques ONeil

As an optimistic free-spirited summer of holidays, minimal clothing and outdoor living gently recede as the cool winds of autumn set in. The sun drops below the horizon and it’s time to settle back into work and routines. Autumn is a time of review and to give gratitude for whatever experiences have been gathered over the year. Autumn asks you to wind down, move inwards and get in touch with your core. This doesn’t have to be a sad time, but inevitably for some, it can bring up sadness associated with that loss of freedom and summer.

A way to bypass this flatness is to make it a time to evaluate the year so far… Highs and lows, what could be released, areas of weakness that may need strengthening and of course the positives you can build on. We seldom acknowledge the fruits of our labour, this often means we never feel we’ve done enough and because we base our year ending in the midst of winter we energetically feel that time is running out…. so instead of going with the flow we panic and ramp up our output, which generally leaves us depleted and run down throughout the cold winter months.

I always suggest to my clients that autumn is a time for review; not only of life, but a time to reset for winter. A mild detox to counter summer indulgences is a good idea, cutting out caffeine and alcohol and eating clean, not raw, loads of veg that’s been blanched or steamed, brown rice, quinoa, and soups rich in healthy greens, nuts and oily fish. There are so many great recipes out there on sites like Honestly Healthy and Deliciously Ella. Also this is the time to invest in a great supplement that will build you up Higher Nature Immune Boost + is really good.

Breakfast smoothies can be a great way of packing micronutrients and antioxidants like wheatgrass, acai, CoQ10, make it with coconut water or almond milk, an apple and for an extra protein a spoon of almond butter, avocado, spinach or kale and frozen berries. I would encourage you to work one out for yourself, it’s not about self-denial it’s about nurture and strength, you’ll be amazed how this will replace your blues with a new focus and healthy eating will uplift your spirit.

Alongside this set into action a self-healing routine, a daily routine, start your day with a cup of hot water and lemon whilst sipping on this do a page of journaling, divide into three paragraphs – no. 1 How do I feel? (physical sensations) no.2 What does it relate to (feelings) no.3 What’s the solution? (what do you need to resolve).

Every morning dry body brush, shower with Therapie Boost body wash and moisturise with Cherish Skin Repair, its magical and will repair sun damaged skin, the amazing uplifting oils of Ylang Ylang, Geranium and Tangerine will put you in a great mood too; touch is a wonderful expression of self-love. Each day try to take five… five deep breaths after your pages and before you go to sleep. At night a soak in Therapie Protect Bath & Body Oil to give your inner reserves a boost! It is like work on your spirit and vitality creates an inner radiance, try and keep this up for 30 days!

Michelle Roques O’Neil, leading Aromatherapist and Founder of Therapie Roques ONeil (http://www.roquesoneil.com)