Three simple steps to prepare your face, body and mind for the cold, wind and rain

I don't know about you, but the summer is well and truly over for me.  The leaves are starting to fall; the kids are going back to school and my holidays are but a distant memory.  Every year as September rolls around, I too get that 'back to school' feeling as we all seem to get back into gear.

Work becomes a little more productive and the cheeky school night drinks seem out of the question. I even find myself buying some new stationery. Let's face it, the habits of a lifetime die hard.

But there are a few things that we could all do now to help us get into the right mindset for autumn/winter.  Think of it as an overhaul post summer, shaking the sand out of our shoes and getting our game faces on for the long slog ahead.

• Let's Get Physical!

It can be tough to maintain your regular exercise routine over the summer months as our social lives tend to pick up with BBQs, festivals and holidays all distracting us. But as the saying goes, summer bodies are built in winter.  It's time to get back on that horse, girls.  For me that means HIIT and weight training at least three times a week, for others, it might be a daily workout. Even if all you do is walk a bit more each day, it all counts.

Exercise is even more important for our minds than for our bodies.  It can help control stress and anxiety and will boost the good mood endorphins as the dark evenings close in. The important thing is to find something that you enjoy, whether that's a gym, a boot camp, or even just taking up a dance classes.

• Go For a Facial

My skin has taken a hammering over the summer of SPF 50, self tanner, bronzers, foundations, moisturisers, etc. It was starting to look dull and I was getting breakouts which is very unusual for me. I needed something more than lovely smelling oils and soothing hands. I needed an industrial facial, something that involved hoovering out the blackheads, removing the built up dead skin cells, and putting some goodness back in there.

You can put all the expensive makeup and lotions onto your face, but if you're just adding them to a bad base, then you're wasting your time and money.

I went for the Vit-illume in River Medical on Baggot St in Dublin 2.  The Vit-illume treatment not only removes surface damage such as dead skin cells and impurities but it replenishes the skin with antioxidants through a process called Vortex-Fusion®, the most advanced application of nutrients to the skin. A five step process includes cleansing and exfoliation, a skin peel, loosening dirt and debris from pores without irritation, extractions using gentle but effective suction and hydration, with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid infused into the skin to nourish and protect.  I was positively glowing afterwards.

• Declutter

"Clutter is not just the stuff on the floor, but anything that stands between you and the life you wish to be living." Now is a good time to take stock of things. For some of you, it will mean giving your wardrobe or makeup drawer a good clear out. If you haven't worn something in the past 12 months then bin it, donate it or sell it. Stop hoping and praying to fit back into that dress from 2005.  If you get back to that size then you can buy something new.  Aisling has also done a great series on the life span of different cosmetics so use that as your guide on what needs to go.

For others, maybe it's a clearing of the mind that's needed. Possibly a retreat or even just some at home meditation. We highly recommend the app called Calm. Set yourself some life goals for the coming months to give yourself a fresh focus. And begin to let go of anything negative that may have happened to you so far this year.

Are you 'back to school' ready?  Do you have any more tips for us?