When we have lost a loved one, autumn is a time when the shorter days can make us feel more depleted and weighed down. Often, our digestion takes a hit and so does your mind as they are intricately linked. You might notice more dryness, bloating, irregular bowel movements, feeling more scatter-brained, or a general feeling of more anxiety and restlessness, also during the night.
These symptoms aren't just in your head - they're your body's natural response to both grief and the changing season. This is why now is the perfect time to to offer ourselves a little extra care by incorporating simple cleansing practices into our daily routine. Through these cleansing practices - nothing extreme, just gentle daily habits - we can strengthen our digestive fire, ground ourselves more in the present, and prepare ourselves well for the darker and colder winter months.
Understanding Agni – Your Digestive Fire
One of the key principles in Ayurveda is the concept of agni, or digestive fire. Think of agni as your body's incredible ability to transform everything you eat, drink, think, and feel into nourishment and energy. When your agni is strong, you digest not just your food well, but also your experiences and emotions.
But grief, especially combined with autumn's cooling energy, can dampen this inner fire, making it harder to process both food and feelings.
The Impact of Grief on our Digestion
If you're navigating loss right now, you might recognise how grief has affected your digestion. Maybe you've noticed:
- your appetite isn't what it used to be
- foods that were once fine now cause bloating or discomfort
- you're dealing with constipation or looser stools
- you're experiencing more acid reflux
- your sleep is disturbed, especially between 2-6am
When your digestive fire, or agni, is low, not only does food not get properly transformed into nourishment, but unprocessed emotions and experiences can also start to accumulate. In Ayurveda, we call this buildup 'ama' - think of it as a kind of physical and emotional residue that can leave you feeling heavy, stuck, and overwhelmed.
Interested in learning whether toxins have built up in your system over time? Take my Ama Questionnaire here and find out whether you would benefit from a gentle cleanse.
Why Simple Daily Cleansing Matters
This is where simple, daily cleansing practices become so valuable. And when I say cleansing, I don't mean anything harsh or drastic. Instead, I'm talking about small, nurturing habits that give your body and mind the space to process and release what they need to.
Think of it like this: just as we naturally want to clear our space when we're grieving - sorting through belongings, creating new routines - our body and mind need gentle ways to clear and reset too. These practices help rebuild your digestive strength while also supporting your emotional wellbeing.
Small Steps with Big Impact
Cleansing doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming. In fact, small, consistent actions can have a profound impact. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate cleansing into your day-to-day life:
- Starting your day with warm lemon water to gently wake up your digestion
- Using a tongue scraper first thing in the morning to clear overnight buildup
- Taking a few deep breaths before meals to calm your nervous system
- Eating warm, easily digestible foods like soups and stews
- Having regular mealtimes to help your body find its rhythm again
- Taking short walks after meals, especially in nature
- Making time for quiet moments of reflection and grieving
Join My 3-Week Nurturing Autumn Reset
If you're resonating with what you're reading and would like to learn more about these nurturing practices, I have something special to share with you. This November, I'm launching a new course that will guide you through these gentle cleansing practices step by step, at your own pace.
This isn't just another online course - it's a supportive space where you'll learn practical tools to strengthen your digestion and support your emotional wellbeing during this challenging time. I'll be there to guide you through each practice, helping you incorporate them into your daily life in a way that feels natural and sustainable.
What makes this course unique is its simple, gentle, and deeply nurturing approach. You'll:
- explore simple healing practices that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine
- discover nourishing meals that strengthen your digestion
- reduce your sugar intake in an enjoyable way - no deprivation
- build daily routines that ground, calm and center you
- learn to read your body's signals and understand what it needs
- move at your own pace, with ongoing support
Whether you're dealing with recent loss, navigating ongoing grief, or simply seeking to feel more balanced during this seasonal transition, these practices can offer profound support. They're designed to help you find moments of peace and clarity, even during the most challenging times.
Embrace the Healing Power of Cleansing
I believe that gentle cleansing, when approached with care and understanding, is one of the greatest gifts we can offer ourselves during grief. It creates space for healing, helps restore our natural rhythms, and supports us in finding our way forward.
If you'd like to be among the first to know when this course opens, I invite you to join the waiting list. Simply email me, and I'll make sure you receive all the details about the course launch in early November.