Autumn is here and with it comes a busier schedule, colder weather and shorter days! It’s becoming ever more apparent that an autumn self-care routine is impartial for my wellness, and I’m sure you feel the same!
This season is often considered a popular time for gratitude and reflection due in part to its proximity to Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. Not to mention all the time that many of us now spend indoors. But, with the darker days, comes more opportunities to indulge in seasonal self-care activities!
Why do you need to practise self-care?
We all know self-care is important. We’ve established its connection to mental health and well-being. But how can we adjust ourselves for autumn self-care or even winter? And why do we need to adjust? There is a distinct increase in time spent indoors during the colder and darker months. While this can make it easier for us to spend time on self-care, it can also increase feelings of isolation, loneliness and instances of seasonal affective disorder.
It becomes important to set aside time for purposeful self-care and to avoid the trap of self-soothing. You need to actively set the intention each week to look after yourself and make yourself a priority. Sometimes this might be turning your phone off for a few hours and watching some trash TV, or it might mean recognising the signs of declining mental health and taking steps to improve it.
And, remember, self-care doesn’t mean a huge grand gesture every day, just a small way of putting yourself first. It is proven to boost your mental health, your self-worth and your self-esteem.
Here Are Ten Autumn Self-Care Activities That You Should Try.
1. Declutter Your Space.
Autumn and Winter usually mean spending more time inside because of the cold or bad weather, so your physical surroundings must cultivate a relaxing and positive mood. Having a cluttered space can affect your mental health and lead to problems such as poor sleep or bad organisation. Decluttering can be therapeutic and the result is, usually, a clear and organised space (and mind).
Check out our Spring cleaning checklist and adapt it for the seasonal change!
2. Make A Meal From Autumnal Vegetables.
Getting more vegetables and good food into your diet is always important, but more so in the colder months when there is a greater chance of illness. Vegetables like butternut squash, cauliflower, sweet potato, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and swede are all in season and widely available. So it’s time to create some new and interesting dishes. Soups, casseroles and stews are all wildly popular this time of the year, and help to keep us both warm and feeling fuller for longer!
3. Light A Scented Candle.
Lighting candles can be a simple way to bring you warmth and cosy light. There are so many Autumnal-inspired scents that can give your home that cosy and warm vibe; perfect for when it’s cold or rainy outside. Creating that calming atmosphere will help you to relax and reduce stress and anxiety.
4. Stay Hydrated.
Staying well hydrated isn’t just reserved for the warmer months of the year. During the colder months, it’s likely that you’ll have the heating on a lot which can easily dry you out. To avoid cracking and dull-looking skin, it is important to drink plenty of water. And let’s not forget that Autumn and Winter increase the number of bugs and viruses doing rounds. If you’re properly hydrated it helps to give your body the strength it needs to fight off bacteria and other infections like the flu.
5. Get Baking.
Baking is a mindful self-care activity that can be a great way to express your creativity but also reduce stress. For many people, baking brings back fond memories of childhood and is even considered a great way to express your love for others.
There are so many delicious Autumnal recipes that you could try.
- Pumpkin pie
- Apple cake
- Rhubarb crumble
- Cinnamon buns
- Banana bread
- Gingerbread
- Gingerbread muffins
- Apple crumble
- Apple pie
- Chocolate chip cookies
6. Go On A Hike In Nature.
Autumn changes mean that nature has so many gorgeous shades of orange, yellow, red and brown. With this change, it makes your hikes all the more fun and scenic! Even in the dreary overcast weather. Walking can help to shed stress, invoke calm energy, increase mindfulness, improve your mood and much more!
When it’s dry, take advantage of the weather and get outside for that vitamin D!
7. Journal.
Journaling is a well-known self-care activity that has proven physical and mental health benefits. Journaling evokes mindfulness and helps us to remain present and gather perspective. And, above all else, it allows you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
If you’ve not journaled before, you might be at a loss as to where to start. But fear not, here are some journaling prompts to get you started!
Other benefits of journaling can include;
- Boost in memory.
- Reduction of stress.
- Improved writing skills.
- Boosted self-confidence.
8. Create An Autumnal Exercise Routine.
Exercise is a very important part of any self-care routine. Physical activity can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases with immediate and long-term health benefits. Even if you dread getting started, once you do you’ll experience the power of the feel-good endorphins! This can be useful on a dark and gloomy day.
9. Enjoy A Bath.
In the colder months, it’s much more pleasant to enjoy a long soak in the bath than to have a shower. Take the time to enjoy a bit of pampering; a bubble bath or a bath bomb, a face mask or even some podcasts! Taking time out to relax and look after your body physically will also enable you to reduce any feelings of stress or anxiety you’re experiencing.
10. Binge Watch Your Comfort Shows.
There are so many streaming services now that there are shows for everyone to enjoy! On a cold evening, you can get cosy under a blanket with your favourite snack, pop on a good show or movie, and just relax. My husband and I are currently enjoying One Piece and with over six hundred episodes of the anime to watch, we’re in it for the long haul!
What self-care activities do you do most in the Autumn months? I’d love to hear in the comments.
blog is a wonderful guide to nurturing your well-being during the cozy and colorful season of fall. It’s a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and recharge in nature’s beauty
Autumn is an amazing time of the year! The self care ideas are amazing! Baking those recipes is a fabulous way to help take care of yourself!
I love these Autumn Self-Care ideas. I have been decludering.
These are great ideas! I love the baking and hiking ideas!
Your list of Autumn self-care ideas is fantastic! It’s a perfect guide to embracing the season’s coziness and well-being. Your suggestions are practical and inspire a sense of mindfulness. Thanks for sharing these ultimate tips!
I’m a teacher, and I have been all about self-care since school started! I am lighting the candles at light and finding ways to bring joy into by days. It helps that fall is my favorite; so many things bring me that joy right now!
The colder autumn weather always inspires the desire to bake in me. Apple crumble, here I come!
This is great list, it’s very important to have a good list of self-care things to do in this season. Thank you for sharing!
My husband and I just did some great hiking (and camping) this past weekend! I love getting out in nature in the autumn. And hydration is definitely a must for self-care this time of the year! My skin gets so dry!
These autumn self care ideas are great! I especially love baking anything that reminds me of autumn. I made pumpkin bread a couple of weeks ago.
Taking care of ourselves is crucial for our mental well-being. Self-care is not vanity, but rather a way to maintain our sanity.
I need to find a new show to binge watch this fall!!! I never take time to just sit and be at peace. I really need to turn over a new leaf!
Self care is very important as it keeps us happy and healthy. We must take care of ourselves – it is a responsibility.
Isn’t it just bonkers how we all turn into forgetful squirrels when it comes to self-care? Thanks for these tips, I loved them all.
I love going for runs in the fall. It’s a great way to get in cardio, enjoy the cool air, and take in the changing leaves.
It’s so easy to forget to take care of ourselves. I know I’m very bad about it. I think this is a great starting point for me.
Autumn is my favorite season, and these are fantastic suggestions for self-care activities! I recently made pumpkin soup, and it was delicious. I definitely want to bake some autumnal desserts too! Have you seen the live-action One Piece series on Netflix? My partner and I haven’t seen any of the anime, but we enjoyed the live-action series!
I absolutely resonate with your thoughts on the importance of an autumn self-care routine. As the days get shorter and the weather colder, prioritizing self-care becomes crucial for our well-being.
Your explanation of why we need to adapt our self-care routines during this season is spot on. The increase in time spent indoors can indeed lead to feelings of isolation and even seasonal affective disorder. Your advice to actively set aside time for purposeful self-care is a valuable reminder. It’s about making ourselves a priority and recognizing that even small acts of self-care can have a significant positive impact on our mental health and self-esteem.
I appreciate your list of autumn self-care activities. Decluttering our space not only helps create a peaceful environment but also clears our minds. Cooking with seasonal vegetables is a fantastic way to nourish our bodies, and lighting scented candles can create a cozy atmosphere that promotes relaxation.
Staying hydrated and engaging in baking are excellent suggestions. Baking, in particular, can be a soothing and creative activity, not to mention the delicious treats it produces!
The idea of going on a hike in nature during autumn is brilliant. The changing colors of the leaves make for a breathtaking and calming experience. Journaling is a powerful self-reflection tool, and your prompts are a great starting point for those new to it.
Exercise is indeed a cornerstone of self-care, and I’m glad you emphasized its importance. Even on gloomy days, a bit of physical activity can boost our mood significantly.
Taking a warm bath and indulging in a favorite show are perfect ways to unwind and show yourself some love.
Thank you for sharing these practical and mindful autumn self-care tips. They serve as a reminder that taking care of ourselves should be a year-round commitment, with each season offering unique opportunities for self-care. 🍂💛
You can’t beat going on a walk in Autumn, seeing all the lovely colours and leaves! x
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A cool list. I need to try baking.
Journaling is an activity that I enjoy and I highly recommend it to anyone reading this. I enjoy autumnal walks as well. Often times, these little things bring us much joy.
Great ideas. I especially love that so many of my favorites are listed … including journaling
Hhhhhmmmm….it’s only baking that I haven’t done, basing on your list of ideas. And I am green at it. I could try it out. Thanks for sharing.
These are great suggestions. I definitely need to take the time and effort to keep myself hydrated.
Love these. I’m all about journaling and think that it’s a great way to get out thoughts and emotions.
Lighting candles are definitely one of my favourite Autumn self-care ideas. Hydrating is something I often forget, thank you for the reminder x
I perfectly agree with you about the importance of self care. When it is sunny I try to go for long walks outside. When I am away from the city, hiking is ideal. Having my home cleaned and everything in place is also helpful to have my thoughts in order, to be more productive and calm.
Your ideas are definitely to the point. Thank you for sharing!
As a photographer I spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen editing photos. Self care is so important for me mentally. Clutter is especially bothersome to me.
Self care is priceless. As a blogger about self care, I can feel the importance of the it. The ideas and tips are really amazing
Self care is so much important and I loved all the ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Autumn is indeed a “me time” month. I always anticipate autumn with sadness as another will soon come to pass.
I think we all forget how important self-care is. We forget that one of the many responsibilities that we have in life is the responsibility to take care of ourselves.
Love this, I’ve been needing a lot of self-care lately.