Autumn Begins: Welcoming the Darker Evenings
The autumn equinox marks the start of longer nights. Gentle ways to welcome darker evenings and make autumn a season of cosiness and rest.
Around 22 or 23 September each year, we reach the autumn equinox. Day and night are almost equal in length. From here, in the northern half of the world, the nights grow longer than the days.
For many people, darker evenings bring mixed feelings. We miss the long summer light. But autumn has its own gifts: cosiness, warmth, slower evenings and a natural invitation to rest.
Here are some gentle ways to welcome the darker season.
Embrace the cosiness
Autumn is the perfect time to make your home feel warm and inviting:
- Light candles (safely) or switch on soft lamps in the evening.
- Bring out blankets and cushions.
- Make a cosy reading corner.
- Fill the house with the smell of baking, soup or spices.
The Danish and Norwegian ideas of hygge and kos celebrate exactly this: warmth, comfort and togetherness during the darker months.
Make the most of daylight
As the days shorten, daylight becomes more precious:
- Go outside in the morning or at lunchtime.
- Take a walk while it's still light.
- Sit near a window during the day.
Natural light can help with energy and mood, and it helps keep our body clock in rhythm.
Follow nature's rhythm
In autumn, nature slows down. Leaves fall, animals prepare to rest, gardens go quiet. It's natural for us to want more rest too.
Allow yourself earlier nights, slower evenings and quieter weekends. You don't have to keep summer's pace all year.
Enjoy autumn walks
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons for walking: golden leaves, crisp air, misty mornings, the smell of wood smoke. Dress warmly and enjoy the colours while they last.
Warm, seasonal food
Soups, stews, roasted vegetables, apples, pears, warming spices. Autumn food is comforting, and cooking it slowly can be a calming ritual in itself.
Plan small pleasures
Having small things to look forward to can make darker evenings feel special: a weekly film night, a new book, a board game evening, a regular call with a friend.
Take care of your mood
Some people find their mood dips as daylight decreases. Getting outside, staying active and connected, and keeping a regular routine can help. If you notice a lasting low mood in autumn and winter, please talk to a doctor.
A slow autumn evening
Our two-hour video Slow Down, with dark red mountains under a calm sky, is a cosy background for slow autumn evenings:
In closing
Embrace the cosiness, soak up daylight, follow nature's slower rhythm, enjoy autumn walks and plan small pleasures. The darker evenings aren't something to endure. They're an invitation to rest.
For gentle habits as the season turns, read Late Summer Light: Gentle Habits for the Change of Season.
Ethnoscape Media shares content for relaxation, inspiration and general information. It is not medical or psychological advice. Please talk to a qualified professional about your health.