Welcome to November. Halloween has come and gone, most of the leaves here in upstate NY have dropped, as have the temperatures, and the scenery has become, well, quite brown. For the larger of my life, I dreaded this time of year. I’ve long been a summer lover. The bright, hot, busy days are what I crave. Autumn has its magic too… especially the earlier part of Autumn, when the leaves put on their colorful show. But, once the calendar flips to November, the landscape shifts dramatically.
It can all have a major effect on our mood, body and energy. Maybe you’ve experienced it. I’ve certainly had people in my life suffer from depression beginning around this time of year, on a recurring seasonal basis. It can be tied to the lack of sunlight and vitamin D, motivation, energy, and activity.
Over the last few years though, I’ve been able to re-frame my feelings of this season, and I’ve actually been embracing it. I’ve found its beauty, and ways to take advantage of what it offers. Because it really does provide opportunity – opportunity to slow down, to reflect, to focus on our own inner growth… just as the trees let go of their leaves to focus on their inner selves.
Here are a few ways I’ve learned to embrace November and the slower months that follow:
- Create a Cozy Sanctuary
Your environment matters, especially when you’re spending more time indoors. Make your home feel like a sanctuary. Bring in soft blankets, warm lighting, good books, and natural elements like plants and pine garland. Light non-toxic candles or diffuse essential oils. Dim the lights in the evening to work with your circadian rhythm instead of against it. Avoid harsh blue light after sunset and let your body naturally unwind the way our ancestors once did. - Nourish with Comforting, Wholesome, In-Season Foods
This is the season for slow-cooked stews, roasted vegetables, warming soups, and foods that ground and comfort. Choose foods that support your immune system and digestion, like root and cruciferous vegetables, garlic, onions, ginger, and bone broth. Think of your meals as nourishment. - Honor Rest
Nature is resting, and it’s okay that we do it as well. It not laziness, it’s alignment. Wind-down and go to bed a little earlier. Wake up slowly. Allow yourself to just be instead of always feeling the need to do. - Get Morning Sunlight
Even just a few minutes of morning sunlight can make a big difference this time of year. Step outside early, even if it’s cold, and let natural light hit your eyes (without sunglasses if you can). This simple habit helps regulate your circadian rhythm, balance hormones that support mood and energy, and naturally boosts vitamin D levels. - Create a Mindful Morning Ritual
How you start your days can set the tone for the season. Consider a simple morning routine that centers you:
– Drinking warm lemon water upon waking
– A few minutes of stretching or gentle movement
– Journaling, meditating, or setting intentions for the day
– Sitting quietly with your thoughts before the day truly begins
Even a small, intentional morning ritual can help you move through November and the winter season with calm and clarity. - Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care can be as simple or as luxurious as you make it. The concept is straightforward: intentionally carve out time and practices that support your body, mind, and spirit. This is especially important during the slower, colder months. It may look very basic: like supplementing vitamin D (I love Mary Ruth’s D3 + K2 liquid spray*), taking magnesium for relaxation, using adaptogens for stress support, dry-brushing to support lymphatic flow, or enjoying a sauna or Epsom salt bath for detox and warmth. Or it can be more indulgent: massage, a mani-pedi, or other small luxuries that help you feel cared for.
As November unfolds, it’s easy to focus on what’s fading — the shorter days, the bare trees, and cold in the air. But this season also invites us to slow down, reflect, and care for ourselves in ways we often overlook during the busyness of summer. By creating cozy spaces, nourishing our bodies, honoring rest, and embracing simple self-care rituals, we can move through these months with warmth, presence, and gratitude. November is not just a time to endure, it’s a season to nurture, restore, and prepare for the growth and renewal that’s promised in the months ahead.
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