And suddenly, it’s autumn.  It’s chilly and dry.  I can feel winter right around the corner, even through these last lingering days of sunshine.

During these ‘transition’ seasons of spring and fall, I think more about self care.  Especially this time of year, when I know the stress and busyness of the winter holidays is right around the corner, along with shorter, darker days, cold temperatures and lots of cold and flu germs.

So rather than stumbling into winter unprepared, this year I decided to spend a little time easing myself into the colder weather.  Here are five of my favorite tips.

5 Simple Self-Care Tips for Autumn

1.  Make some echinachea tincture or elderberry syrup.  Both are brilliant immune system boosters and help fight cold & flu.    Echinacea tincture is an immune system booster and should be used frequently at the first sign of a cold.   Elderberry syrup is more supportive of the immune system and can be taken throughout the winter as a preventative.  Plus elderberry syrup is DELICIOUS.  Pour it over desserts or yogurt, drink it in sparkling water or make a nice hot toddy.  Yum.  Make some now so they’re on hand when you need them.

2.  Add more warming foods to your diet.  To counteract the dry, windy, cold climate of autumn, start adding more warming, comforting foods to your daily diet.  Try vegetable soups for lunch or a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

3.  Add some oil to your skincare routine.  Switch up your skin care routine to counteract dryness.  And I’m not just talking about your face.  Using a soothing body oil after your bath or shower will help nourish your skin and relieve dryness.  I like to make my own by just adding essential oils to some almond oil.  You could also try chili-mustard oil for your feet or the Oil Cleansing Method on your face.

4.  Take a mini-retreat.  In the West we tend to reflect on our lives only around the new year.  This year, try doing a mini-retreat to reflect on your life and set new goals during the seasonal transitions.  Summer is typically hot, active and creative.  Autumn is a season for reflecting, refining and selecting – what activities do you want to keep in your life, and which need to go?  How is life working for you at the moment? What needs to change? What do you want to create next?  Spend an hour reflecting on your life as it is now – and selecting a few simple changes to make before the hectic holiday season begins.

5.  Cook with more warming herbs.  Now is the time to start cooking with warming and immune-boosting herbs.  Traditionally, thyme, sage and rosemary are great for boosting the immune system and helping to clear up colds.  (And it just so happens those herbs are found in lots of warm, comforting Autumn recipes!  Clever!)  Also, try using more ginger and chili which are both very warming.  If you need a boost, try drinking some hot honey, lemon and ginger throughout the day (you can also add a splash of brandy, if you like that sort of thing … I do!)

How do you get ready for the colder weather?  Share your tips in the comments!