After summer’s exuberance, our minds and bodies naturally crave time turned inward. Part of Taoism (the 2,500-year-old philosophy that underpins Traditional Chinese Medicine) is the idea that good health comes from harmonising with nature. To do this, we can change our habits in line with our intuition and the changing of the seasons.
Taoists believe that autumn is the season of the metal element, which is associated with structure, making it a good time to infuse our lives with more rituals and routines.
Here are some of our favourite ways to align with autumn.
When we surround ourselves with nature, we experience the relaxed pace of the natural world, which is like a balm for our nervous systems.
The mildness of autumn offers a gentle invitation to get outside and walk, or find what’s known in naturalist circles as a “sit spot” – an outdoor spot where you can be still and simply observe the wildlife, trees and elements around you, usually for around 20 minutes each day.
A hot spring at Peninsula Hot Springs makes a beautiful sit spot from which to witness nature. There are also many other idyllic spots to immerse in nature throughout our grounds, including grassed areas, bespoke timber benches and hammocks.
Top tips: Try to notice which way the wind is blowing, observe different birds and listen out for their calls.
Autumn brings crisp mornings and evenings, making it the perfect time to embrace the sauna. In addition to boosting circulation, improving cardiovascular health, easing muscle tension, and promoting better sleep, a sauna session is a deeply enjoyable way to warm up as the weather cools.
A sauna ritual can be as simple as sitting in the sauna for 15 minutes and rinsing off under a cool shower afterwards. It can also be a more layered experience that weaves in repeated exposure to hot and cold to create a health-boosting contrast that leaves you feeling enlivened – just like we practise in our Fire & Ice workshops. Peninsula Hot Springs is home to several traditional saunas as well as steam rooms.
Top tips: A very hot morning sauna session can help stimulate cortisol and adrenaline for the day, while a slightly cooler session at night can support sleep.
As the humidity of summer fades, our skin can become drier. To keep skin feeling supple, you might introduce a more nourishing moisturiser and exfoliate when needed. Using a body oil before showering can also help protect your skin’s natural oils, especially if you tend to take warmer showers in the cooler weather.
For a deeply replenishing seasonal ritual that nurtures the skin as well as the mind and spirit, experience a facial, massage or body treatment such as a scrub or mud wrap in the ambience of our treatment rooms. You’ll leave feeling profoundly refreshed.
Top tips: Dry brushing before a shower can help smooth dry autumn skin and support lymphatic drainage.
Explore Tranquillity: Spa treatment & bathe
A key component of harmonising with nature is eating seasonally. Autumn is a beautiful time to enjoy abundant garden harvests, and to shift from summer salads towards slow-cooked, warm foods like soups and stews. This is the season of root vegetables such as sweet potato and beetroot, and brassicas like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Growing your own vegetables or shopping at a local farmers’ market can help establish a connection with what’s in season.
At Peninsula Hot Springs, our menu evolves with the seasons and is inspired by what’s growing in our on-site Food Bowl. Experience a chef-led SLOW (seasonal, local, organic, whole) menu in our Spa Dreaming Centre dining room with our Dine & Bathe package, where you can take your time unwinding over breakfast, lunch or dinner with a side of bathing in both areas (includes robe, towel and locker hire).
Top tips: Add stewed pears or apples to a morning bowl of porridge for a seasonal, warming breakfast.
Our long-ago ancestors allowed the sunrise and sunset to dictate their waking hours. Today, life is illuminated by artificial lights and screens, but we can reclaim our seasonal and circadian rhythms by resting when the sun rests. This doesn’t mean we have to go to bed at sunset, but we can begin winding down and dimming the lights in alignment with the fading light.
We can also spend more time in repose generally. Rest looks different for everyone, but might involve reading, journalling, napping, taking a bath or sitting with a cup of tea and without devices.
Many of the experiences at Peninsula Hot Springs are restful – from geothermal bathing to sumptuous spa treatments. For a journey into deep rest, explore our Eco Lodge accommodation, which is designed to help regulate your circadian rhythm and lull you into restorative sleep. Each stay includes access to your own sleep-inducing geothermal pool or bath a private geothermal pool or bath, plus a buffet breakfast, your choice of wellness activity and a sleep amenities pack.
Top tips: Seek natural light from when you wake up throughout the day, and choose lighting that mimics the setting sun in the evening. Think lamps instead of overhead lighting.
For help curating the ideal autumn visit, get in touch with our friendly Reservations team.