Well, hello there, October!  Will someone please put down their pumpkin spice latte and tell me how we got here so fast?  Hey, it’s not that I don’t love the fall season… I humbly embrace all this season brings (although I stop at slathering on the Pumpkin spice deodorant) including enjoying the gorgeous foliage and the scents of cinnamon, and clove, and sipping warm apple cider. 

While the earth slows down its pace with shorter days and the trees and plants die back and drop their leaves, you may also notice the frenetic energy of wildlife collecting food before the stillness of winter sets in.  Soon, nature will slow down and animals will start to hibernate until longer, sunnier days are back.  We humans don’t hibernate in the traditional sense, but fall does present a beautiful opportunity to embrace the natural cycle of rest and renewal that symbolizes the fall season.

Let’s take our cues from Mother Nature and explore the idea of hibernation for humans! 

In this fast-paced modern life, it’s easy to forget nature’s wisdom.  Historically, fall signals the end of the harvest, a time when nature slows down and conserves energy.  This instinct for rest isn’t just for plants and animals, we can benefit too by slowing down and reconnecting with ourselves.  Fall is a time to take a break from the constant activity of the warmer months, embrace solitude, and create space for reflection and rejuvenation.   Hibernating allows us to transition into a quieter and more introspective season. 

Are you ready to slow down?  Read on for tips on falling into your own seasonal hibernation…

Create a cozy space – Nothing prepares your mind for seasonal change like bringing in the colors and scents of fall.  As temps cool, transform your home into a cozy retreat with soft blankets, autumn-scented candles, and warm lighting.  Add fall colors to your décor with pillows, linens, and artwork.   Your new cozy space will serve as your hibernation nest, the perfect place to unwind with a good book, movie, or simply, sit and reflect.

Embrace slow, nourishing activities – Swap fast-paced activities for slower, more intentional ones.  Try mindful cooking and focus on hearty, seasonal ingredients like squash, root veggies, and spices that warm the soul.  Try your hand at knitting, journaling, or taking meditative walks in nature.  Activities like these allow you to reconnect with yourself grounding you in seasonal transition.

Prioritize rest and self-care – Just as animals stock up on food and find shelter in preparation for the winter months, fall is a time for us to prioritize rest and self-care. You might be finding yourself sleepier during fall. When the sun is out until 9:30 every night, it’s easier to stay awake. So, don’t feel bad about seeking extra ZZs! No matter how you choose to practice self-care, this is the time to nurture yourself! Take a warm bath. Read a good book. Find a way to get a little extra sleep.

Reflect and set intentions – Fall is a natural time for reflection.  As the world slows down, we have an opportunity to look inward and assess our personal growth.  Use the time to journal or meditate on the past year and ask yourself what you learned.  What do you want to carry with you into the new year and what do you want to leave behind?  Enter the winter months with clarity and purpose by setting intentions now during this period of introspection.

Tune into Nature’s Rhythms – Find a sense of peace and stillness of the season and feel more connected to the world around you by spending time outside.  Yes!  Even as the weather cools.  Observe the changes happening all around you.  Take a walk through a field or in the woods – even a short one! Stop, breathe and observe the way the plants and trees prepare for winter.  Smaller animals scurry about collecting food to tide them over, or gathering twigs and leaves to winterize their burrows.  Birds take wing as the earth itself seems to slow down.  The magic of fall is all around you and there is something deeply grounding about aligning our internal rhythms with the cycle of this season!

One important note… fall hibernation is not about isolation!  Embracing hibernation doesn’t mean withdrawing or isolating yourself from others.  Instead, it’s about finding balance.  Take time to nourish your relationships, enjoy cozy gatherings with friends or family, and celebrate the season together.  Emerge from this season with a renewed sense of peace and purpose by giving yourself the permission to pause and rest, just as the natural world does.  In doing so, we’ll be better prepared for the challenges of winter and the renewal that spring will bring. 

Get your cozy on with a new pair of PJs just in time for lazy lounging and longer nights.  This week you can take 20% off ALL PJs including the Natalya Silk pajama, the very same PJ picked by The New York Times Wirecutter as “Best Silk PJ” for 2024.  See you in the next blog!

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Deb Fries works with the Julianna Rae team to offer the best shopping experience for quality silk and cotton sleepwear while also writing for the blog at  Juliannarae.com.