By taking care of yourself in an intentional way, you can make the autumn feel cozy instead of chaotic.
Sometimes, we all need a reminder that self-care isn’t just a useless bubble bath. It’s about acknowledging that you are important, and that you deserve to take care of yourself. You deserve to take care of yourself because it helps keep you healthy, so that you can be there for the people in your life who need you.
This can be as simple as taking time to make a cup of tea and sit with it, or more complicated like planning out your schedule for the week and then sticking to it. Either way, self-care is about self-compassion; about looking at yourself and saying “Okay, I deserve good things to happen to me, I deserve to love myself, I deserve to treat myself like someone I love.”
It's easy to forget how much self-care matters, especially as the summer ends! When we're busy with work or school or our kids or whatever else is going on in our lives, our mental and physical health takes a back seat. But we don’t deserve that! Pushing self-care to the back burner leads to burnout, seriously.
As the seasons change (for those living in parts where seasons actually change), there are many reasons for an increase in stress: shorter days, colder weather...and maybe even seasonal affective disorder? This can all seem very scary — but if you pay attention to how these changes make you feel, they won't have to be scary at all!
Autumn doesn't have to be scary and chaotic. Autumn can be something peaceful, and even reflective! The leaves are changing, and nature is letting go of the past. You can too! Here are some cozy fall self-care ideas:
1. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and beauty of your surroundings.
A good walk can be incredibly rejuvenating and help clear your mind. You don't have to do much, but if you can get outside, even for just a few minutes, it can help your mental health. If you're at home and feeling overwhelmed or stuck in a rut, getting outside may be one of the best ways to take a break. It can help you get away from screens and other distractions that are causing your stress levels to rise. And even if the weather isn't great (it's often rainy or overcast this time of year), there are still many things that are enjoyable about being outdoors—grassy fields filled with wildflowers; changing leaves; birds singing in trees; children playing in parks—that will make your time going outside worthwhile.
2. Watch your favorite seasonal movie.
What's more relaxing and autumn-y than cuddling up with a bowl of popcorn?
3. Make tea and savor it.
Savor the taste, smell, and warmth as you drink slowly. Take breaks between sips to notice your surroundings and reflect on how your current moment feels. Making and drinking tea or coffee can be such a mindfulness practice if you let it be! Bonus points for creating a daily ritual out of it. Rituals and routines are such an important part of real self-care.
4. Celebrate seasonal change.
Autumn is a great time to celebrate the changing seasons. There are lots of autumn festivals and events happening throughout the season, such as apple picking, pumpkin carving, and Halloween festivities. Consider going apple picking at an orchard near you or carving pumpkins at home to get in the fall spirit.
5. Organize your home, and make it peaceful.
Get rid of the clutter in your home. This means letting go of anything that is not needed or loved anymore so that the space feels clear and open. The trees are letting go of their leaves, so why not let go of the items you don’t really need? Splurge on a new cozy sweater or a soft blanket. Buy a few seasonally-scented candles to spruce up the space.
6. Take a break from the screens.
This is a simple, but important tip. When you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can be tempting to retreat into your own little bubble and spend time online or on your phone. But this really doesn't help you to de-stress! Instead, try getting outside for a walk in nature, taking a nap, reading a book you've been meaning to get around to, or doing something creative like writing poetry or drawing.
7. Work on crafts you'd like to hand out as gifts this holiday season.
When you’re crafting, you can’t help but let your creativity flow. You allow yourself to be creative and express yourself in different ways. Crafting is a great way to relax and get rid of stress.
8. Bake cookies or warm, comforting foods.
Try a new recipe. Cooking is a great way to take care of yourself. It can be a form of self-care, self-expression, giving back to others, and showing love. If you're looking for ways to feel more nurtured this season, try baking some cookies! There's something satisfying about taking time out from the world around you and putting all your focus into making something delicious for yourself and others.
9. Start journaling about what's going on in your life right now - it can be very cathartic.
It's a great way to express your feelings, understand yourself better, come up with solutions for problems in your life, and feel more in control of it. It doesn't cost anything and can be done at any time – there's no excuse not to try it out!
10. If all else fails when it comes time for self-care this autumn, then just remember one thing: sleep is important too!
Make sure to get enough sleep each night. It is surprisingly critical to your health and happiness. Sleep helps restore our energy levels so we can go about our daily lives without feeling exhausted all day long. If you can’t be bothered to try any of the other self-care ideas here, try taking a nap!
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