Fall is undoubtedly my favorite season. I feel a bit like Mr. Fitzgerald in that life seems to offer a second, and equally romantic, Spring, or new beginning when early October rolls around. Yet I’m also well acquainted with the struggles and temptations that come along with the changing seasons. The days get shorter, schedules mount up, self-care tends to wane, and I often feel a dank, subtle chill of loneliness sneak in. 

Have you struggled much with seasonal depression?

I have…big time. That said, I’ve learned the hard way how vital it is to intentionally manage expectations and routines in order to stay connected to daily hope and healing. In light of this, I like to send out a Fall Edition of sorts—full of new ideas and opportunities to stay on top of our self-care game as we head into the coming months. If you follow fashion, it’s a bit like that thick, bounding, September Vogue edition boasting fall’s most delicious offerings. Pure magic. 

This year, I’m more excited than ever to explore some new opportunities to connect to yourself and your community in life-giving ways. 

All too often we’re tempted into autopilot—that sleepy trance of contained chaos—and end up just going through the motions. I don’t know about you, but I want to feel alive and awake in my experience this fall, savoring each moment like a gift—or that inaugural pumpkin spice latte. 

Here are a few ideas to support you in this pursuit. I think you’ll find something you can enjoy despite the hectic demands of the season.

1) Enneagram Mastermind:  Do you long for greater sense of community? New friendships? Do you want to better understand yourselves and your relationships? Do you want to take your enneagram understanding to the next level? Do you desire a safe place to share some of your story? Do you want to unlock personal and professional opportunities? Do you like the idea of group therapy, but over a delicious lunch?

I know, that was a LOT…however, if you said yes to any of the above, you would LOVE my new Enneagram Mastermind group that is just getting started!  It’s the perfect blend of deep connections, learning, fun, beautiful hospitality, and sharing sacred space as we move through an 8 month curriculum I’ve built specifically for this experience.  Click here to sign up!  

2) Body Work/Massage: Something I’ve become far more focused on in my practice as a therapist and my personal healing and development is the body.  Throw in a cancer diagnosis and it took things to a whole new level.  I have found such power in body work alongside psychotherapy.  Some call it massage, and that’s fine too.  However, my favorite practitioner, Anna Jenkins, of Crieve Hall Massage is truly  a healer.  After putting my body (and emotions) through so much during two years of surgeries and treatments, I’ve come back to doing regular work with Anna and it has been a game-changer.  Her intuitive and cliented-centered approach to body work is vital for ongoing processing of emotion, stress, and the tightly wound ways in which we carry ourselves in this modern world.  I can’t recommend her enough! 

3) Walking Meditations: Do you love the idea of meditating but find it hard to show up?  Maybe you’ve always thought you’re not the meditating type.  I get it.  Sitting is not my favorite, but the benefits of a mindfulness practice are undeniable.  That’s why I created walking meditations for the Practice, my Enneagram-based self-care toolkit.  They are a quick and supportive guide to literally move you through meditations if you’re on the move or love this fall weather like I do.  Check them out by signing up  today!  

4) Infrared Sauna: Need a detoxification boost? I always do!  Immunity is a whole new ball game for us as a world today! That’s why I swear by infrared saunas.  If you’re in Nashville, you must check out Pure Sweat Sauna Studio.   Pure Sweat Sauna Studio is a space for wellness, rooted in community and connection, offering state-of-the-art, full spectrum, infrared saunas. 

Acclaimed by the world’s leading health experts, elite athletes, and people just like you, Infrared Saunas deliver an abundance of clinically tested and research-based health and healing benefits, including detoxification, pain relief, weight loss, reduced inflammation and deep, mental + physical relaxation.   I always feel lighter leaving the sauna!  

5) Breathwork: Breathwork is an active meditation technique that facilitates powerful emotional+energetic release. It can change emotional default settings, lifetime patterns of depression, anxiety and addiction, connect you to your intuition, and open your heart to increased gratitude and self-love. It is an efficient and effective way to emotionally detox.  We receive 90% of our daily energy from breath alone and 70% of our bodily toxins are meant to be discharged through breath.  What are the benefits? 

• Releases tension and everyday stress that makes you feel anxious, burned out, and overwhelmed

• Creates a renewed sense of vitality

• Supports healing on all levels—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual

• Brings balance to your life, allowing you to tap into your inner peace and joy

• As the energetic blockages are cleared, you are able to manifest what you want in your life effortlessly

• Leaves you with a deeply relaxed and calm state of being

Breathwork engages the nervous system to release tension and distress that negative thoughts and traumas cause in the body. Over time, healthier new neural pathways are developed and the nervous system is re-calibrated to bring optimal well-being.

For more info or to book a Breathwork session, contact the lovely Sarah Richey and take your wellness journey to a whole new realm.