8 women share the wellness changes they're making for an autumn reset
- Kat Storr
Published: September 11, 2026 at 10:48 AM
loading...
Get 5 months for £5 when you subscribe today
Use the changing seasons as inspiration for making a fresh start on your health and wellbeing.
The heatwaves are over and we’re all putting trousers and socks on again after what felt like one of the longest summers we’ve had in years. And, while the holidays and summer eating and drinking have been fun, many of us see autumn as time to look again at habits that might have slipped – and new ones we might want to introduce.
Ad
September can feel like a more natural time to press the reset button on our wellness routine than January. Starting a new exercise regime or eating better in the middle of winter can feel like more of a punishment than self-care. Whether you have children going back to school and university or not, that ‘back to school’ feeling after summer continues, whatever age you are.
Katie Brindle, a practitioner in Chinese medicine, says she has always felt that September is the ‘real New Year’: “Autumn invites us to let go of the physical clutter, emotional weight and unhelpful habits we've been carrying. I always encourage people to use September to declutter their home, simplify their diary, establish better sleep and create small, daily rituals that support them through autumn and winter,” she explains.
As with all new habits, the key to making them work is consistency: choose small habits that easily fit in with your life and are manageable, rather than trying to overhaul everything all at once. “Autumn isn't the season for a dramatic diet, extreme exercise regime or the latest wellness trend. It's about creating simple, consistent routines that support you every day,” says Brindle.
For some people, this might involve adding a few more steps to their day or having a big glass of water first thing in the morning before reaching for the coffee. Sleep and stress are also areas a lot of us want to work on as we get older. Even small changes, such as not having your phone in your bedroom or enjoying a bath before bed, can make a big difference to your mindset.
We spoke to eight women about what they’re doing to look after their minds and bodies this autumn and beyond.
Zoe Jackson, marketing consultant
“I’m going to try to have one phone-free day a week. I don’t know how well this will work in reality, but I just think it will be so beneficial and could change my phone-use habits for the rest of the week. It will have to be a day when my husband is working from home, in case school needs to call, but I do feel like now is the time to give this a go.”
Maggie Klein, founder of women’s activewear brand Chica
“I’m really trying to focus on slowing down a little. One of the biggest things I’m doing is ‘bricking’ my phone at night, especially before bed and first thing in the morning. I’ve realised how much better I feel when I don’t immediately start the day scrolling or end it staring at a screen. I’m also making sleep much more of a priority, and aiming for at least eight hours a night.
“I want to embrace a slower autumn routine made up of small things that make me feel more grounded: cooking more nourishing meals at home, drinking more water, getting outside, prioritising sleep and giving myself a bit more time away from screens.”
Steph Jaczniakowska McGirr, founder of energy gels brand Reeal
“I’m trying to be a little softer with myself this autumn. I'm an all-or-nothing person, and feel I can always be doing more: if I'm walking, I'll listen to a self-improvement podcast; if I'm training, it's usually at a high intensity towards a specific race. This is actually the first time in years that I don't have a race booked in, and I intend to spend autumn rediscovering the joy of movement simply because it makes me feel good both physically and mentally, rather than working towards a specific goal – going for a run because I love running, rather than my training plan dictating a 12km.”
Jenny Scott, PR and communications consultant
“Leaving my phone downstairs and taking a book to bed with me has been the best wellness swap I’ve made recently and I’ll definitely be carrying on with it.”
Alicia Drabble-Castellano, founder of Single Swan clothing brand
“This autumn, as I turn 50, I’m focusing on things that make my soul happy. This could be getting outside every day with a playlist that makes me feel like I’m back in the 90s, moving in ways I enjoy, protecting time to switch off and being much kinder to myself when life gets busy.”
Georgia Testa, pilates instructor
“This autumn, I’ll be feeding my soul – eating whole foods that have more nutritional value to ensure I’m keeping an eye on my immune system. I also want to make sure I’m moving my body more so I don’t struggle with moments of low energy.”
Stefanie Daniels, wellness coach and functional nutritionist
“I’m planning to step out of fight or flight this autumn. It’s one of the most simple things, but I’ve realised I’ve been living in that state for months – if not years – now. It’s time to start giving myself permission to start feeling safe again in my own body. If I feel overwhelmed, I’ll remind myself to breathe deeply, relax my shoulders, unclench my jaw and send a message to my body and nervous system that it’s safe.”
Charley Williams-Howitt, beauty and wellness editor
“This autumn I’m going to try to have more sex. I haven’t felt very confident in my body for the last couple of years, but suddenly I don’t care anymore and I just feel a little bit more horny. I’m making an effort to actually be more intimate with my husband and I feel so much better afterwards. We feel closer and it’s made a huge difference to our relationship and how I’m feeling. I didn’t realise sex could be so much of a positive. I’ve always moaned about it to my girlfriends, but now I look forward to it and I’m really enjoying it.”
VTT Studios via Getty Images
Catherine Balavage Yardley, writer
“I’m giving up alcohol and planning to only drink water or tea, barring a special occasion. I’m going to try to start exercise stacking (little and often) with lots of walking, and I want to read more to help with relaxation.”
Ad
More wellbeing guides
6 foods you think are healthy – but nutritionists wouldn't eat every day
Has our protein obsession gone too far?
10 weird signs you're eating too much protein
6 small ways to add more fibre to your diet
10 foods to improve your mood
10 ways to boost energy when tired
Expert explains: what is the dopamine diet
I'm a nutritionist and this is what I eat for a healthy gut
Authors
Kat Storr
Comments, questions and tips
Choose the type of message you'd like to post
Choose the type of message you'd like to post
CommentQuestionTip
Ad
Ad
Loading...
Ad
Loading...
Want to see this content?
This page contains olivemagazine content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue