5 Tips for Taming Autumn Anxiety (and one delicious pumpkin recipe)

As the weather cools down and the days shorten, do you feel that familiar tinge of unease sneaking in? If so, you’re not alone! Many of us experience “autumn anxiety” as the season changes. Whether it’s the fading daylight, PTSD from your back-to-school days, or the stress of holiday planning looming large, it can make you feel a bit out of sorts. With some simple stress reduction tools tailored to the season, you can help your system ease into the natural rhythm and beauty of the fall.

Here are 5 of my favorite tricks to turn autumn anxiety into autumn awesomeness:

1. Sip on Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties, with multiple studies to prove it. It’s the perfect go-to when you’re feeling anxious. The gentle warmth and soothing taste can help relax your nervous system, making it easier to unwind at the end of the day. This tip is a twofer, 2-3 cups of chamomile during the day are shown to improve your sleep too.

2. Practice Breathwork
Deep breathing exercises can quickly shift your state from anxious to calm. Take a tip from the Navy Seals with a few minutes of box breathing. Sit up, relax your shoulders and jaw, close your eyes if you’re not driving, and breathe in deeply through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 4 counts. Repeat a few times to center yourself. Breathwork helps regulate the nervous system, reducing stress and promoting a sense of peace. If you can’t breathe through your nose, try pursing your lips for slow, even respiration.

Seriously, just a few deep breaths can bring you back to center in no time. It’s like hitting the reset button on your nervous system!

3. Soak Up the Sun (or Use a Happy Lamp)
It’s no secret that sunlight boosts our mood. So, make a point to get outside whenever you can, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Can’t catch enough rays? A happy lamp can work wonders in mimicking natural sunlight and lifting your spirits. Who knew a little light therapy could be such a mood booster?

4. Take a Brisk Walk and Boost Those Endorphins
Feeling stuck in your head? Lace up your sneakers and head outside for a brisk walk! It’s a quick way to get your blood pumping and endorphins flowing. Plus, it’s a perfect excuse to take in those beautiful fall colors. Stuck indoors? Take the long way to brisk walk to the cafeteria for a cup of chamomile.

5. Light a Rosemary or Lavender Candle
Create a calm, cozy atmosphere at home by lighting a rosemary or lavender-scented candle. These scents are known to help reduce anxiety and stress, making them perfect for unwinding at the end of a busy day. You’ll be amazed at how much a little aromatherapy can shift your mood!

If you’re in the mood for a pumpkin treat, I introduced this recipe in my Mediterranean cooking class and it got such rave reviews I brought it to a block party the next day where it was a favorite among the mega variety of baked goods. This super simple dessert option is perfect if you’re into reducing sugar and increasing fiber while treating yourself no less deliciously.

https://www.elizabethborelli.com/fresh-figs-with-cashew-cream-and-toasted-pecans/

By adding these simple but effective tips to your daily routine, you’ll breeze through autumn feeling grounded, refreshed, and ready for whatever comes your way.

So go ahead, embrace the season, and feel your best all autumn long!