Autumn is here, friends—the official season of colorful leaves, pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters—well, at least up North where I’m from! Here in the Sunshine State, cool and breezy weather is not often on our forecast, but this is still the perfect time of year to slow down, breathe deeply, feel nourished and be conscious of how best to support your health. In this issue of Natural Awakenings, we hope to enrich and inspire with all sorts of trends in holistic wellness that will keep you energized and refreshed in the midst of this vibrant new season.  

Our feature article for the month is on the benefits of “Oral Health” from a natural and holistic perspective. Many people are starting to choose alternative forms of dental care because they are safer, less invasive and use fewer toxins than mainstream dentistry. This article emphasizes the importance of a consistent oral health regimen too, as bacteria in the mouth can also be a factor in the development of heart issues, Alzheimer’s and inflammatory conditions. 

Another holistic modality we want to turn the spotlight on this month is chiropractic which is explored in our “Healing Ways” article. In most cases, chiropractors are known as the specialists you visit to “snap” your neck or back into realignment, but chiropractic treatments are more comprehensive than just a quick spinal adjustment. This modality addresses the whole body as one integrated unit and seeks to find the root cause of pain in order to alleviate it from all the affected joints, tissues and organ systems. Chiropractic has even been found to provide relief for health concerns such as asthma, migraines, TMJ and impaired digestion.     

Next, our “Conscious Eating” article focuses on a recent global trend called the Slow Food movement which has gained traction in more than 150 countries who share a passion for nutritious, sustainable and ethically-based sources of food. In essence, this is the opposite of “fast food” culture which has dominated the Western diet for much too long, and is the culprit of many chronic diseases. Slow Food, however, is interested in the stories and origins behind where food comes from, how it’s prepared and what benefits it has to offer. For example, think: local, seasonal and nutrient-dense produce like hearty squash, vine-ripe tomatoes, aromatic herbs, crisp oranges and earthy mushrooms just waiting for you at the farmer’s market. 

Finally, we invite you to set aside time this month to unplug from the distractions of social media, the 24-hour news cycle and all those mobile device updates that clamor for your attention. Instead, our “Wise Words” column takes you back to basics with the “Importance of Doing Nothing.” This article gives you permission to be consciously unproductive, turn your awareness inward and reconnect with nature. This is vital for both physical and mental wellness, and it can be a life-saver as you prepare for the holiday season just around the corner.     

As usual, this is merely scratching the surface of all the inspiration you will find tucked inside these pages. Feel free to send any comments, questions or feedback to [email protected]—and might I recommend treating yourself to a pumpkin spice latte as you curl up on the couch to read this month’s issue? Just a festive, fall-ish idea!