Fire, Fall, and the Nervous System Reset
- Dig Nutrition
- Sep 7
- 2 min read
September in North Idaho is always a season of contrasts. This year, the fires closed out summer with smoke settling into the valleys just as the school year was getting underway. For many families, the alerts and “ready, set, go” language brought back that familiar tension of not knowing if evacuation could be next. That kind of unknowing is tough on the nervous system.
A week after school started, we packed up for one last camping trip. It was me, our daughter Izzy, my husband Geof, and his mom. Because of the fire danger, we didn’t have a campfire, but the days were still full: kayaking, mountain biking, swimming, watching Izzy launch off the rope swing, and cooking outside together. Those moments of fresh air and movement were exactly what my body and mind needed to feel grounded again. Just as the land was under stress, so are many of us as we shift into fall rhythms.
Stress, Hormones, and the Nervous System
The start of school, the change in daylight, and the lingering unease of fire season all feed the nervous system. When stress is unrelenting, cortisol can stay elevated longer than it should. That’s when you start to notice the ripple effects: trouble sleeping, cravings, irritability, or afternoon crashes.
Blood Sugar and Mood in the Fall
This is also the season when comfort food starts calling. Pumpkin bread, hot cocoa, and quick snacks after long school days can easily send blood sugar on a rollercoaster. And when blood sugar swings, so does mood. For kids, that might look like meltdowns or trouble focusing. For adults, it might show up as anxiety, overwhelm, or the urge to reach for caffeine or wine just to feel steady.
The Microbiome and Seasonal Shifts
Even the gut microbiome shifts with the seasons. Just as the forest adapts to fire and regrowth, our gut bacteria thrive on variety and resilience. Fall foods like squash, root vegetables, apples, and cabbages are grounding not just for the kitchen table but also for the microbes that help regulate immunity, digestion, and even mood.
Finding Your Reset
That camping trip reminded me of the importance of intentional reset moments. Just like we need rain to clear the smoke, our bodies need space to clear the stress signals. This can be as simple as:
Eating protein with each meal to stabilize blood sugar
Building in five minutes of breathwork before the school rush
Prioritizing magnesium- or mineral-rich foods to calm the nervous system
Adding seasonal fiber like roasted squash or apples to feed the microbiome
There is something nice about settling back into the structure that Fall brings. It’s also a time to notice where we’re still carrying smoke in our systems and to give ourselves space to clear it out.
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