The change of seasons has long been known to affect the animal kingdom. The Arctic fox, sly and fashion-conscious creature that he is, changes the colour of his coat to match his backdrop (white for snowy winter, a dusky brown for summer). The poor Siberian hamster, which only mates in spring and summer, sees its gargantuan testicles shrink as the days get shorter. The change of light signals a series of hormonal changes that make the little guy look like a completely different animal by the time autumn has set in. Some animals hibernate; others come to life – all have an internal understanding of time.

While it is not acknowledged nearly as often, the ebb and flow of the seasons also have a profound influence on the human body. Although this connection to the world around is a basic and fundamental tenet of traditional Chinese medicine and the Indian practice of Ayurveda, a growing body of scientific literature demonstrates that the earth’s changing rhythms can have a profound effect on our physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.

The waning daylight of autumn, for example, is known to wreak havoc with our hormones, body clock, behaviour patterns and mood. Hair grows and sheds at a different rate, our sleep patterns become irregular and our emotional wellbeing often takes a nosedive. On top of this, the dry cold wind tears our skin. The seasonal changes wreak havoc with our immune system and (usually carb-y) cravings appear as if from nowhere. Studies even suggest that the fluctuation of testosterone that comes with each new cycle can affect our body shape.

And so with autumn very nearly upon us, MR PORTER provides some pointers for weathering these changes with ease.

The skin is an adaptable and dynamic organ but, as cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting (drsambunting.com) points out, “the change in environmental conditions can present a challenge to its vital barrier function”. In layman’s terms, this means the cold, dry air rips through the skin’s protective outer layer, the stratum corneum, causing dehydration, irritation and unpleasant flaky patches.

Dr Bunting advises avoiding that third shower of the day, aggressive cleansers and a radiator that’s turned up to the max. “All of these will only exacerbate the problem by depleting the skin’s natural moisturising factor,” she says. Be generous with your skin cream too and exchange for one that is a little richer – preferably Dr Jackson’s ultra-nourishing 01 Skin Cream or Aēsop’sMandarin Facial Hydrating Cream.

While a nutritious seasonal diet should do a good job of bolstering your immune system (two thirds of your immunity is down to your gut, after all), it’s often worth supplementing for extra resilience. Rather than wait for the damp weather to run you down, prep your immune system a good month or two before flu season kicks in. Bee propolis (the resin that honey bees collect from botanical sources) is a fantastic antioxidant and anti-microbial with immune-boosting properties thanks to its ability to jump-start macrophages, the killer cells that mop up viruses when they enter the body (try Comvita Propolis Extract PFL30; comvita.co.uk).

Terra Nova’s Astragalus, Elderberry & Garlic Complex (terranovahealth.com) is an essential preventative supplement. Astralagus is an adaptogen (it protects against emotional stress as well as disease) with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. “This Chinese herb boosts the activity of both immune cells and interferons, the body’s first line of defence against viruses,” says Mr Stephen Terrass, one of Europe’s leading authorities on natural medicine. “Research also suggests that elderberry fruit may shorten the duration of influenza, while the humble garlic clove contains compounds shown to be active against a wide variety of infective microorganisms.”

While we can’t dispute the benefits of a raw diet, autumn really isn’t the time to do it. Ms Lily Simpson, founder of The Detox Kitchen (detoxkitchen.co.uk) concurs, saying, “We don’t believe in eating a totally raw diet. It’s really important to have a mixture of cooked and raw food.” The trick, however, is in knowing which seasonal foods can be cooked and which can’t. “Some foods have more nutrients when they are raw. Spinach, broccoli and watercress are good examples of this,” says Ms Simpson. “But foods such as carrots, asparagus and tomatoes have more benefits when cooked. Our bodies are able to absorb the immune-boosting antioxidants and nutrients more efficiently.”

Autumn presents a veritable feast of seasonal treats by way of runner beans, broad beans, spinach, peas, sweetcorn and artichoke, all of which can be roasted and stewed for extra heat. “Asian dahls, vegan stews and soups are a great way to heat the core and they’re easy to process,” says Mr Ben Shouler, nutritional advisor for Amazing Grass (amazinggrass.com). “Prepare them with warming culinary herbs such as garlic, ginger, cardamom and chilli to keep you resistant to the elements.” Just remember to add the garlic, which is more nutritious when raw, at the very end.

In the same way that an Ann Demeulemeester jersey vest is unlikely to warrant an outing in October, so the ozonic marine fragrance that got you through the warmer months won’t be quite so appropriate in autumn. The change in temperature requires a warmer, deeper, darker – possibly sweeter – scent. Seek out oriental or woody fragrances with notes such as amber, benzoin, vanilla, leather or oud, which will delight the senses during these months. Our vote goes to Aēsop’s Marrakech (aesop.com), containing clove, sandalwood and cardamom; Czech & Speake’s Spanish Cedar (czechandspeake.com); Acqua Di Parma’s Colonia Leather (acquadiparma.com); and Guerlain’s “amaretto”-infused L’Homme Ideal (guerlain.com).

The change of seasons represents the ability to transition from one phase of your life into the next. In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn is very much about “letting go” of unhelpful patterns and thoughts, allowing you to plan (harvest) for the future.

But letting go is never as easy at it sounds, especially if beliefs, relationships or psycho-emotional patterns are deeply embedded. Ms Katie Light, London’s foremost intuitive therapist (thelighttechnique.com), combines Neuro-Linguistic Programming with massage, Reiki and visualisation techniques to help clients release counterproductive behaviours and old emotions.

“Once a client is aware of what it is that they need to surrender, I take them to the moment in the past where it all began and find the ‘emotional hook’," she says. It is at this point that she employs a variety of techniques to help clear or resolve the problem. “And, as with everything in NLP, the old negative pattern is replaced with a new, positive behaviour.”

Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of medicine, advocates the use of copious amounts of oil as we enter the vata (dry, windy) season that is autumn. The goal is to lubricate the insides and rehydrate the skin, since a lack of moisture impacts the body’s ability to eliminate toxins. Cook with healthy oils such as walnut, avocado, hazelnut, sesame or olive oil to keep everything ticking along.

While there’s no real reason you can’t treat the skin with cooking oils, Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oils (especially the Support Equilibrium formula; aromatherapyassociates.com) present a far more pleasant and civilised alternative to slathering yourself with that bottle of Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil. “It’s important to understand the difference between ‘dry’ and ‘dehydrated’” says Ms Geraldine Howard, co-founder of Aromatherapy Associates. “Dry skin lacks oils, dehydrated skin lacks water. Oils work well when used under a body cream, which acts as a barrier to both lock the oil in as well as protect from external conditions.”

Try massaging these hydrating and highly therapeutic oils over the entire body before showering (or alternatively you can add a capful to your bath). Rinse off for smoother skin and a much perkier outlook.

As the days begin to shorten and natural light is harder to come by, the body’s circadian rhythms (physical, mental and behavioural rhythms that follow a 24-hour cycle) start to fall out of sync. By winter, an estimated 12 million people in Northern Europe and four to six per cent of the United States begin to feel the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression characterised by loss of energy, an unstoppable craving for carbs, headaches, muscle pain and, most notably, sleep problems. The downer is due to the temporary reduction of serotonin, the “happy chemical” produced by the brain. Those plagued by the condition have a low level of motivation, fail to attend to their personal care and are bombarded by pessimistic thoughts.

Short of counselling and hardcore meds, light therapy is perhaps the most helpful and least aggressive solution. A sunrise simulator such as Philips’ Wake-up Light (philips.co.uk) mimics the effect of the dawn over a predetermined time every morning to ensure you wake up feeling more energised. Studies now show that light therapy is on a par with antidepressants when treating the condition. It’s also worth trying an industrial-strength vitamin D3 supplement to boost your mood.