Fall is upon us, and it's that time when the air gets a little colder, leaves become the main subject of everyone's Instagram story, and everything smells like pumpkin spice lattes. As we embrace the season, it's important to keep in mind that changes come with some adapting - so let's break down a few tips for you to enjoy fall and everything that comes with it. 

Mindfulness and Wellness

Mindfulness isn't just some magic activity everyone likes to talk about - it actually helps 🧘‍♂️ A study published in the journal "Psychological Science" found that brief mindfulness meditation sessions can reduce mind-wandering and improve cognitive performance.

If summer was hectic and active for you, now would be the perfect time to take a quick breather from the hustle and bustle, put down your phone, and just breathe. You don't even have to fully meditate, mindful moments can be as simple as savoring your morning coffee without distractions. If you want to take up meditation fully, there are many free resources including our staff favourite, the Medito app, which is a fully-free app created by a non-profit organization that helps you get started and maintain the habit of mindfulness and meditation. 

Seasonal Nutrition Tips

Let's chat about fall feasting. 🍽️ It's the season of gatherings, good food and of course, overindulging. Now at BMF, we're all for enjoying food, but we're also all about living the balanced lifestyle that it enables.

With the new season comes an array of amazing seasonal fruits and veggies that are perfect to integrate into your daily diet. Apples, pears, Brussel Sprouts and pumpkins are just some of what you can include in your recipes to give it that nutritious boost. 

It's also beneficial to keep a healthy balance of carbs, proteins and fat on your plate. Use smaller plates to help control portions and prevent overeating. 

Overcoming Seasonal Blues

If you've felt down and less motivated when the weather gets gloomy and the days are shorter, you aren't alone. During the fall and winter months, many experience what's called a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 

Getting sunlight whenever you can helps massively improve your mood during these months. Exercise is also a natural mood booster and gives you that boost of steady serotonin that'll keep ya happy and feelin' good for the day. Lastly, staying in or just keeping yourself home might feel a little more appealing in the weather, but try to keep it social, whether it's calling up your friends, organizing virtual hangouts, or even in-person hangouts - not only does this keep you from feeling the blues, but also helps create more lasting memories. 

Staying Active
Now that summer's outdoor activities are over, now is the perfect time to find some indoor activities to enjoy. Play a team sport at your local community center, try out that yoga or spin class. Getting active when it's cold outside can be a challenge, but you've got options. If you want to keep it at home, YouTube is your best friend for home workouts. From bodyweight to dance workouts, you'll find something that gets you moving.

Lastly, the key is discipline if you'd like to maintain being active. Discipline beats motivation every time and creating a routine and schedule helps keep you on your toes (literally).

So, there you have it, our quick guide to thriving this fall season. Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. Embrace the changing leaves, and let this season be a time of self-care, growth, and coziness. You've got this! 🌟