November Intentions: Nourish body and mind

As fall slowly transitions into winter, the plants and animals around us prepare for hibernation. Leaves continue to fall from the branches, and the once-blooming hedges are now heavy with red winterberries and holly leaves. If we take a moment to look around, it's clear that nature has changed a lot in the last few months, but have you? Even though we're about to enter the darkest, coldest months of the year, are you still filling your schedule with an overwhelming amount of commitments? Are you still allowing yourself to feel stressed and overly busy every day? Are you still eating sugary foods or imported fruits that are much more suitable for hot and sunny summer weather? When it comes to entering the "Yin" phase of the year, it's time to focus on deeply nourishing the body and mind to prevent burnout and then jump back into life in the next phase of the year. This month's intention is to deeply nourish your body and mind, so read on for 5 ways to get started:

Slower:If you've ever read any of my seasonal blogs, you no doubt already know that humans evolved to live in harmony with the seasons. Our lifestyle, diet and sleep patterns would have changed naturally depending on the season, allowing us to maintain a sense of physical and emotional balance and harmony internally and externally. However, as humans diverged from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle, we turned a corner that would eventually bring us into the regulated, domesticated, artificial world we live in today. In nature, we would have no choice but to slow down in the winter because there would be very little left to forage and hunt, and the shorter days and colder weather meant we would spend much more time in close groups and less time traveling or exploring lands around us. If ever there was a time to rest and rejuvenate, it is now. Take a moment to think about how stressed or overwhelmed you have been recently; This constant state of fear is not only completely unnatural for us, but also harmful. Give yourself the gift of peace by swapping some of your dynamic yoga practices or workouts for restorative yoga. Choose the Yogamatters Organic Relaxation Set to help you practice and relax with nourishing, restorative posturesSearch for slowby Melanie Barnes, who introduces us to the beautiful art of 'slow living'.

Make space:Look at your schedule. Does it look crowded and overwhelming? Are there deadlines and urgent to-do lists on your desk? Fall and winter are the time to complete projects and make a lot more space in your weekly schedule. While summer was the time to say “yes” to adventure, now you are invited to say “no” to whatever you feel is necessary; social gatherings, meetings (if possible!) and excessive demands from others. Use that(link removed)Clearly write down your schedule for the next few weeks so you can see how busy things might be. Then try to create more “white space”. Try to go one day a week without commitments or plans, and schedule specific times of the day to take breaks. Take a look at the book during your breaks and days of relaxationCalm: 50 mindfulness and relaxation exercises to reduce stress and relax

Stress relief with scent:Our sense of smell is directly connected to other parts of the brain that control memory and emotions, which is why aromatherapy is so powerful and why the scent of your ex-partner's aftershave can evoke a strong emotional response! Nourish your nervous system and help relieve stress by using the (link removed) to calm you and fill your space withTisserandsreal calm diffuser oil,with notes such as chamomile and neroli, rosemary, jasmine, rose and grounding cedarwood.

Adopt Abhyanga:Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage. Translated as “oiling the limbs,” this ancient tradition is all about deeply rejuvenating your body and giving yourself a dose of self-love. In practical terms, self-massage helps to strengthen the natural skin barrier, which is an important part of the immune system, and maintains healthy joints. Energetically, Abhyanga relaxes the nervous system and is a great way to maintain a regular diet. Use the super light, fast absorbing (link removed) designed for a silky skin and hair feel without the use of volatile silicones. Simply spray on and massage into the skin. For a different approach to full-body self-care, use the Hayo'u Body Oil - specifically designed for use in combination with the Hayo'u Body Comb - combines traditional Chinese ingredients such as lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang with the intensity of the circulation-boosting body comb for a powerful self-massage.

To sleep well:Above all, sleep is the most important way to nourish the body and mind. When we sleep, the body repairs itself, removing old and unwanted cells, and the mind processes experiences and emotions so that we can wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and invigorated. Without adequate sleep, it is very difficult for us to feel comfortable. So when you take care of your sleep, know that you are also taking care of every other aspect of your health. For tips on restoring your sleep, seeSleep recoveryby Lisa Sanfilippo, and get ready for bedTisserandsSleep better with bath salts. A bedtime ritual is a wonderful way to relax and sleep well, so pick a few rituals (link removed) and optimize your rest with (link removed) essential when light shines into your room.

If you're used to living life on the go and feeding yourself is new to you, take it slow and choose a few practices that appeal to you most. How do you prefer to eat? How will you slow down and reset this season?

Shop the newYogamatters wellness collectionfor the essentials to help you relax and recharge.