Autumn, the season when daylight shortens and the colours of the leaves alter in a spectacular fashion as they prepare to shed for winter. I wanted to share my favourite things to do in Autumn with you.

What does Autumn mean to you? How do you typically feel?

For me there are many beautiful things about autumn. The weather is comfortable, not too hot yet not too cold.

After the extreme heat this year I am feeling blessed by a little rain.  As the evenings are drawing in I am enjoying the outdoors either out walking or simply pottering in the garden.

There are some very distinct smells of Autumn, the smoking wood piles and damp leaves, spices like cinnamon and the scent of gingerbread are warming. Autumn is a time of reflection and renewal.

So, what do you see in Autumn? How do you feel, what do you smell and taste? What activities do you do in Autumn that are different to any other time of year?

The pictures we capture and create in our mind and the meaning attributed leave a powerful imprint which has a direct impact on our lived experience, overall sense of wellbeing and our vitality for life.

Things to do in Autumn

There’s plenty of activities to do to enliven the senses and create a positive sense of wellbeing at this time of the year.

Visit celebrated gardens.

The best time to Autumn colours is actually from around mid-October to mid-November. Better still, if there’s an Indian summer the leaves stay brighter for longer. It’s why now is a great time to go for walks in the park, along riverside pathways and down countryside lanes. A day out to a botanic garden or popular woodland estate isn’t a bad idea either.

You can usually combine this with a warming spiced hot chocolate, coffee or tea at a café in the grounds.

Try star gazing.

Autumn is also a perfect time for stargazing. That’s because the skies are dark, clear and it’s not too cold yet. To get a better view of the stars, walk out to a spot which has little light pollution. Remember to take a torch with you but cover it with a red plastic sweetie paper or similar. That way your eyes remain better adjusted to the dark. If you’ve never gazed upon and learned the names of the constellations before, now is the best time to start. Have you ever seen a shooting star and made a wish? Check out the next meteor shower using the Royal Observatory calendar at www.rmg.co.uk.

Look after wildlife.

You can also begin to nurture wildlife in Autumn by creating a hedgehog box in time for hibernation, or putting up a couple of bird feeders. Nature will also thank you for planting some bee-friendly flowers.

Get cosy indoors.

There’s plenty of ways to feel cosier indoors bearing in mind escalating utility costs. Consider slow-cooker batch cooking plenty of warming casseroles with seasonal veg like parsnips, carrots, swede adding beans and rice or pasta. Also chicken, beef if you’re not vegetarian. If you don’t already try cooking or baking with family or friends for fun.

Get Crafty.

Switch your home colour schemes. Change your cushion covers to bold autumn colours such as burgundy, purples and reds to add warmth. The same can be said for floor rugs and curtains if you can afford to (or spot some cheaper material in a second-hand shop or a discount sale). Collect fallen pine cones from your walks as these carry a wonderful aroma in the home or even conkers.

Maybe even try making your own scented soy candles. 

All of these tips helps to lift my spirits in an enriching yet inexpensive way.

Did you know?

Autumn was once known as Fall here in Britain. We consider Fall to be a US word, but it was a British originally – shorthand for ‘leaves falling off the trees.’ It was only when we adopted the French word ‘automne’ in the 18th century that Fall became Autumn here in the UK.

Autumn is a good month to have a birthday. According to a study in the Journal of Ageing, 30 percent of those who lived to 100 or more, were born in Autumn.