Fall Self-Care Tips For Physical, Emotional & Spiritual Wellness

This article is a two-part blog post where part one focuses on emotional, physical, and spiritual self-care activities for the Fall.

Fall is here, which means cooler weather, shorter duration of daylight, hot beverages, and the leaves changing color. As the season changes, so do the activities. Autumn is the perfect time to make some modifications to your self-care routine.

Self-care is so much more than pampering and indulgence. It’s about willfully performing activities that benefit our overall health and well-being. Self-care has been a popular topic for a few years now, emphasizing the importance of being as good to yourself as you are to others.

Related: Self-Care Defined: What Is Self-Care and Why Is It Important?

Why is it necessary to practice self-care?

Between family, work, and other obligations, things can get hectic. We tend to neglect our own needs when we focus on everything but ourselves.

Engaging in self-care is vital to our well-being because it teaches us to prioritize and also helps to relieve stress.

What type of self-care is needed for the Fall season?

Self-care is something we should be incorporating into our lives year-round. However, some of our practices may need to be adjusted as the seasons change.

The change in weather plays a significant role in switching up your self-care routine in the Fall. For example, savoring a cup of hot chocolate is something you would probably prefer to do in colder weather instead of the sweltering summer heat.

In the summertime, it’s usually hot out, so you usually participate in activities that coincide with the weather, such as enjoying a glass of lemonade while sitting outside on the porch. However, when the Fall arrives, it starts to get chilly, so you may want to snuggle on the sofa while watching your favorite T.V. show.

Also, some events take place only during certain times of the year. During the warmer months, you may participate in activities such as going to outdoor concerts, but you may want to attend a Halloween festival in the Fall.

To make the transition easier from Summer to Fall, swap summer self-care activities for Fall-related ones. Exchange your beach day for apple picking or a scenic bike ride. Trade your afternoon nap in a hammock for a relaxing evening by the fireplace. Implementing seasonal self-care into our routine helps us discover new interests and add some diversity to our lives.

If you are looking for some suggestions for Fall self-care, here are some ideas that are perfect for Autumn:

Emotional Self-Care Tips for Autumn

Your emotional health is an important factor in your overall well-being. Your thoughts and feelings have an impact on all other aspects of your wellness and health.

Of course, you should always focus on your emotional health, but giving your emotions a little more TLC during the Autumn season is essential. It represents the end of Summer and the arrival of winter, and the change in seasons can contribute to mood shifts. The cooler weather, reduced sunlight, longer hours of darkness, and the approaching holiday season can trigger all sorts of emotions. While this is an exciting time for some, others experience stress, loneliness, and depression.

To nurture your emotional health during the fall season, here are a few suggestions:

Curl up with a blanket.

Curling up on the sofa with a blanket and a nice hot cup of tea is so soothing during the Fall chilly weather. Snuggle up on your couch with a good book, your journal, or watch T.V. Many holiday-themed movies are on at this time of year, but it’s also an excellent time to log on to your streaming service or go through your DVD or Blu-ray collection and catch up.

Write in a journal.

Journaling is a wonderful and therapeutic routine to engage in year-round. But, it’s especially beneficial during the fall season since the transition from warm and sunny weather to dark and cold temperatures can take a toll on your emotions.

Besides being a stress reliever, writing in a journal is a great way to help you to sort and understand your feelings. Journaling can also be used for:

• Setting goals
• Practicing gratitude
• Planning out your routine

Start a hobby.

Take a break from binge-watching and try a new hobby. Some great ones are photography, knitting, painting, writing, gardening, or sewing. Whatever you choose, engaging in a hobby helps relieve stress, nurtures your creativity, combats boredom, and gives you confidence.

Clean up your social media.

Social media is a great way to connect with others, but it can also wreak havoc on your emotions. Mute or disconnect from people that post negativity. Unfollow accounts that make you feel stressed, unhappy, or angry, and follow those that align with your principles and bring you joy.

Catch up on your favorite shows.

Fall is the perfect time to catch up on some shows considering we will be indoors more often due to the cooler weather. Log onto the T.V. streaming service of choice and binge away!

For a bit of nostalgia, watch your beloved old sitcoms from back in the day. Or view returning T.V.shows that left you in suspense from that final episode of last season. You can also look at that new show that your family or friends have been bugging you to watch.

Set boundaries

Teach people how to treat you by setting boundaries. Establishing boundaries is an essential part of self-care and assists you in maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. They also help you realize your limits and make sure you always consider your needs and standards. Creating boundaries also encourages you to clearly communicate your principles and what you will or won’t accept.

Things usually start getting busy during the Fall, mainly due to the beginning of the new school year and the holiday season. This means countless requests to chaperone on class trips and bring in baked goods for school events. Let’s not forget the hordes of invitations to holiday parties, family obligations, and expectations. You must realize that you can’t do it all, and it’s okay to say no, which is also a key part of setting boundaries.

While doing favors and lending a helping hand is admirable, it can also take a toll on you if you’re constantly doing it. Don’t feel compelled to say “yes” if your schedule is tight or if you don’t feel up to it.

Lounge around in your pajamas.

Spend a day of leisure and hang out at home in your pajamas for the day. Get cozy and watch something on tv or read a good book.

Spend a weekend at home.

So many of us are so busy during the week. There’s work, family obligations, and other tasks that occur Monday through Friday. The weekends can be just as busy with other activities, many of them done outside of the home. Occasionally, it’s good to spend the weekend at home to unwind. You can read a book, watch T.V., listen to music, or do other things you enjoy either alone or with your family. Also, you can work on a project or do some minor repairs that you have been putting off.

Recite positive affirmations.

With the change in weather and routines, feeling anxious and overwhelmed isn’t out of the ordinary once Autumn rolls around.

To help ward off those kinds of emotions when they enter your thoughts, an amazing tool to use is to recite positive affirmations.

Saying affirmations are a wonderful way to become happier, optimistic, get focused, and grow mentally. Other benefits to using affirmations in the fall season include:

• Averts negative thinking and cultivates a positive mindset.
• Encourages gratitude.
• Helps to motivate you in areas you need it the most.
• Teaches to become more aware of the power of your own thoughts.

Decide what affirmations you want to use and speak them into existence by either writing them down or reciting them out loud.

 

Fall Self-Care Tips For Physical Health

Taking care of your body is essential for good health. The body and the mind are linked, so when you take care of your body, you’ll think and feel better as well.

Physical self-care consists of eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, getting regular check-ups, and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor.

As the Autumn season makes its debut, it is essential to focus on physical wellness. We spend more time indoors due to the darker days and chilly weather, which sometimes results in a drastic decrease in physical activity. Our bodies start to crave comfort foods and decadent desserts. Also, the Fall is usually when cold and flu season begins.

While there is nothing wrong with the occasional treat or staying in when it’s cold out, we should be mindful about isolating ourselves too much or loading up on too many unhealthy foods. It’s important to strike a balance in which you can enjoy the comfort of the season while also staying on top of your health.

Here as some tips for maintaining your physical health during the fall season:

Engage in exercise that you enjoy.

Exercise is an essential part of self-care. Even if you cringe at the thought of doing it, many people confess that they feel better after working out. Working out has many benefits such as :

• Improving your overall physical health.
• Boosts energy levels
• Promotes a healthy heart.
• Aids in disease prevention.
• Releases endorphins, which puts you in a better mood.
• Improves sleep.

The thing is to find an activity you enjoy. Forcing yourself to do a workout routine that you loathe is hardly self-care.

To get some physical activity during the Fall, you can:

Go for a walk.

Enjoy the fall season by taking a walk. It is an excellent way to get some exercise and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful scenery. Feel the crunch underneath your feet as you step on the fallen leaves. Walking is also a great way to clear your head and decompress.

Go bike riding.

Going for a leisurely ride is a terrific way to get a good workout if you have a bike. Biking during Autumn is a wonderful time of year to appreciate the season’s beauty. You’ll get to witness the changing colors of the leaves from green to gold or red.

Biking through nature trails near your home in the Fall is a great way to get some peace and quiet since fewer people may visit them. You’ll practically have them to yourself, and you can move through them at your own pace. You can also ride your bike through the streets of your city or town; it gives you a chance to explore places you’ve never been. Bike riding is an activity that you can do on your own or with a group. Just be sure to practice safety precautions and wear a helmet.

Go Hiking

Hiking is a physical activity that can help to encourage more self-care in your life. Fall is a great time to do it because of the crisp air, fair weather, picturesque scenery, fewer crowds, and you get to see some cute animals.

Hiking can be done alone or with a friend. It’s a great way to get some exercise while enjoying some of the best of what nature has to offer. You can hike pretty much anywhere, no matter where you live. Rural areas are known to have some very breathtaking hiking venues, but cities also can have trails that are just as amazing. Everyone can benefit from setting some time aside from their day to appreciate nature’s treasures while burning some calories at the same time.

Devise an indoor exercise routine.

If you are used to exercising outdoors, your attempts may be hindered once the cold weather kicks in. However, you can still stay physically active by working out indoors. That may mean going to a gym or a yoga studio (check your government guidelines for restrictions due to COVID-19) or working out at home.

For home workouts, you can pop in a video or watch a T.V. show. There are also plenty of online fitness programs such as Biogilates and FitnessBlender. Even YouTube has plenty of workout channels, such as Yoga With Adrienne, Toni Mitchell, and POPSUGAR Fitness.

Just as you can subscribe to a music and TV streaming service, the same can be done with exercising. Some popular fitness subscription services are Body By Simone TV and Crunch Live.

Whatever form of exercise you choose to do, the most important thing is to have an indoor workout plan, just in case it rains, snows, or gets too cold outside.

Get some sleep.

During the Summer, we had the luxury of sleeping a little later than usual. Now that Autumn is here, work and back-to-school responsibilities require us to wake up earlier. To ensure that you are getting enough sleep, aim for 6-9 hours every night.

The benefits of getting a good night’s sleep are enhanced concentration, increased productivity, and improved immune function. However, lack of sleep results in difficulty staying alert and increases your risk of getting sick.

In my opinion, Autumn is the perfect season for getting the shut-eye you need. It gets darker earlier, and the weather is cooler, making it easy to crawl into bed. Not to mention the time gets pushed back an hour during Daylight Savings Time. Use the longer nights to your advantage and strive to hit the sack an hour earlier.

Hydrate

The cold air can cause dehydration just as much as warmer weather. Make sure you are drinking enough water. It flushes toxins, helps to regulate your digestive system, and is good for your skin. Aim for six (6) to eight (8) glasses per day or the amount that your healthcare provider recommends.

Related: The Importance of Water: Reasons to Drink Up and Stay Hydrated

Eat Fall seasonal foods.

To add some variety and color to your diet, eat foods that are in season this time of year. Some foods harvested in the fall are squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, pears, kale, mushrooms, and pomegranates.

Have some apples.

Just like pumpkins, apples are also associated with the Fall. They are a great source of fiber and carry many health benefits, such as aiding in weight control and bone health. They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so if possible, try to include them in your diet.

You can also get your apple fix by drinking some apple cider or from apple chips or apple sauce. For the occasional indulgence of your sweet tooth, try some delicious desserts such as apple crisp, apple strudel, or caramel apples.

Drink some tea.

Nothing is more soothing than a cup of tea in the morning, especially when the weather gets colder. There are many health benefits to drinking tea, including boosting energy, aiding in digestion, and helping to promote a healthy heart. It also contains antioxidants.

Just like its coffee counterpart, tea comes in many fall-infused flavors. Some great ones are apple cinnamon, cranberry, pumpkin chai, turmeric ginger green tea, and caramel apple red tea.

Have some soup.

Due to the cooler weather, the Fall is the perfect time to enjoy a bowl of soup. My favorites are minestrone, vegan pasta e Fagioli, and classic vegetable soup. Many varieties have Fall seasonal produce such as mushroom and wild rice, creamy butternut squash, and pumpkin soup.

Take supplements.

Although it’s important to take vitamins and supplements year-round, there are some that you may want to concentrate on for the Fall. Here are some supplements you should consider taking this season:

• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C

Always consult with your healthcare provider before taking any vitamins and discuss the dosage that suits you best.

Prepare for the cold and flu season.

Many illnesses tend to creep up on us in the Fall, including the cold and flu. Lower your risk by stocking up on cold and flu remedies. Some good ones to have on hand include elderberry syrup, ginger, soup, garlic, echinacea, and over-the-counter medicine such as cough syrup and vapor rub. Check with your doctor before trying any remedies or medications.

Take a nap.

Sometimes the demands of our daily responsibilities can wear us down. Take a nap to recharge.

Adjust your skincare routine.

As you’re adjusting your self-care practice for when the seasons change, you may want to reconsider your skincare routine. The weather plays a major factor in what you need to do to keep your skin in tip-top shape. When the climate is hot and humid, you may think of using products that are light moisture and oil-free. Also, you would rely on deep cleaning cleansers and exfoliators for the skin due to sweat and beach days.

However, when there are freezing winds and chilly temperatures, the skin is prone to dryness. Here are some changes you can make to your skincare routine:

• Upgrade to a thicker moisturizer.
• Switch to a gentler, hydrating cleanser that’s tailored to your skin type and doesn’t dry the skin.
• Use hand cream to combat the harshness of the cold weather and constant hand-washing.
• Swap light-weight lotions for heavier creams or body butter.
• Apply a face mask to clear your pores, hydrate, or soothe your skin. Try ones with Fall inspired ones such as those infused with pomegranate or pumpkin.

One thing that should remain the same is to continue using sunscreen.

Deep condition your hair.

The blazing summer sun can take its toll on your hair. Give your tresses a little TLC with a deep conditioner or hair mask.

Use fall colors for your manicure.

Usually, we think about the upcoming wardrobe changes around this time of year, such as coats, boots, and sweaters. How about applying the same idea to your mani-pedi?

Try swapping bright summer yellows and pale pinks for burnt orange, burgundy, wine, or brown nail polish for a fall-friendly look. Blue, olive green, gray, navy, rose, soft reds, and tortoiseshell are also great colors for an autumn-themed manicure.

Get a pedicure.

Walking barefoot and wearing sandals or flip-flops all Summer can wreak havoc on your feet. Treat yourself to a pedicure, or do it yourself at home. Soak your feet in Epsom salt and remove the dead skin. To make your pedicure complete, throw on some Fall colored polish.

Spruce up your wardrobe with some Fall fashion.

For some retail therapy, get yourself a little something to add to your Fall wardrobe. You can’t go wrong with a nice cardigan, scarf, handbag, coat, or a pair of boots. Let’s not forget chunky sweaters, which are a must-have for the colder weather. If you love to knit, perhaps you can design your own.

Revamp your makeup look.

There is no better time to create a makeup look than in the Fall, which has the best colors, in my opinion. This is the season for gold, copper, maroon, purple, dark brown, and metallic eyeshadow shades. Oh, and let’s not forget the lipstick colors; Compliment your look with a berry, mauve, burnt orange, caramel, burgundy, peach, purple, oxblood, brown, cinnamon, or bronze shade.

Fall Self-Care Tips for Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual self-care is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It involves any practice that deepens your connection with your higher self and a higher power. Focusing on spiritual wellness helps to keep you grounded and encourages inner peace.

Staying spiritually grounded is a goal that we should strive for as much as possible. However, the Fall is the perfect season to tap into your spiritual side. Due to the colder weather, we spend more time indoors, which gives us a chance for self-reflection.

From a spiritual standpoint, Autumn is a very symbolic season that represents many things, such as the harvest, loss, growth, balance, and transformation. We can learn so much from these themes; not only are they specific to the fall season, but they are concepts we can apply to our everyday lives.

Here are some ideas to help you to nurture your spirit:

Let Go

As the trees release their leaves, Autumn teaches us the art of letting go. This is a perfect time to get rid of what no longer serves us.

Take some time to evaluate the things in your life that would benefit you if you got rid of them. For example, it could be items that you don’t necessarily love or no longer use that take up space, such as clothes, books, toys, or kitchenware, which could be donated or recycled.

Other things that would help improve your life if you freed yourself from them are negative mindsets, self-doubt, toxic relationships, and other people’s opinions.

Letting go is not only liberating, but it puts you on the path to help you to elevate to your higher self.

Embrace Change

As one of the transition seasons (the other being Spring), many changes take place in the Fall season. The weather gets chilly, the leaves turn to beautiful colors of orange and red before falling off, and animals that made plenty of appearances throughout the Spring and Summer are now venturing south in pursuit of warmer weather or going into hibernation.

The changes in nature aren’t the only ones that happen during Autumn; our daily routines are also affected. The children go back to school, we wear warmer clothes, spend more time indoors, and we either return to work and start new jobs.

The one thing in our life that will always remain the same is change. Even when it benefits us, it can still be overwhelming. The transformation during the Fall season shows us the reality of impermanence. Although change can be scary, it is so important for us. It challenges us, teaches us new things, gives us new experiences, and brings new people into our lives. Change also allows us to see things from a different perspective and creates the chance for opportunity to knock.

If we learn to embrace change instead of avoiding it, we will suffer less. Instead of mourning the sun and fun of the Summer, welcome the comfort and balance that the fall season brings.

Write a gratitude list.

This may appear to be a difficult thing to do, mainly if we’re focusing on what we don’t have. So grab a pen and a sheet of paper and find a quiet area in your home. Do some self-reflection and think about all the amazing things you have going on in your life, no matter how small.

It is so easy to dwell on the negativity in our lives that we sometimes forget to appreciate everything good. Writing down what you are grateful for will help you realize how much you truly have. The Fall season is the perfect time to do this, especially during the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Related: 52 Reasons Why I’m Thankful

Watch Holiday-themed movies.

Curl up on the sofa after Thanksgiving dinner, and enjoy holiday-related movies for a reminder to be grateful, spread joy, show love, be kind, and appreciate what you have.

Volunteer

Make a difference in someone’s life by volunteering. Fall is the perfect season to do this. Buy some Halloween candy and give it to a children’s home or youth center. You can also check to see if they need someone to help with taking kids trick or treating.

Also, before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here, so contact your local food bank to inquire about organizing a food drive. Donate to a charity, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or check on your elderly or disabled relatives or neighbors to see if they need anything.

Show support for a cause you believe in.

Many awareness campaigns are observed during the Fall season. Some include prostate cancer, suicide prevention, breast cancer, domestic violence, pregnancy and infant loss, diabetes, and epilepsy.

Devoting your time, energy, and money to something you feel strongly about gives you a sense of purpose and brings fulfillment to your life.

Enjoy Nature

Spending time indoors isn’t the only way to practice self-care. When the cooler Autumn weather appears, we get tempted to cocoon all season long. I’ll be totally honest; I’m guilty of doing this. But one of the best things to do in the Fall is to get outside and enjoy nature.

Going outdoors during the Fall has many benefits, which include a boost in energy and improved sleep. Also, it does wonders for your mental health by increasing those “feel-good” emotions and warding off seasonal depression. Additionally, spending a little time outside helps you to connect with nature, which encourages you to tap into your spiritual side. Fall is the perfect time to spend time enjoying nature and getting outdoors. We are no longer subjected to the blaring heat, and the weather is perfectly balanced.

A great way to immerse yourself in nature is to go to a park. There are plenty of trees for you to take in the beauty of the colorful Autumn leaves. Also, you can visit a lake and get hypnotized by the crystal clear water.
Other activities that are good for connecting with nature are collecting leaves, hiking, apple picking, bird watching, or bike riding.

Practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the capability of being fully present in the moment, aware of what is going on around you, where you are, and what you’re doing. You bring consciousness to whatever you experience by being perceptive of your thoughts, feelings, and mental state without judgment or shame. It also means to pause before reacting and not feeling overwhelmed by situations that may arise.

When you’re mindful, you aren’t easily distracted or consumed by your thoughts. But when your mind does start to drift, you’re able to gently return it to what you’re presently doing without reprimanding yourself.

We should incorporate mindfulness into our routines on a regular basis. However, it would be particularly useful in the fall and winter seasons, considering the extended hours of darkness can negatively impact our moods and emotions, especially for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Mindfulness can be practiced at any time and anywhere. It can be implemented into your daily routine through meditation and body scans. Also, you can engage in mindfulness while eating or taking a walk. Pausing and taking a deep breath before being so quick to pick up your cell phone whenever you hear the notification sounds go off is another way of being mindful.

Practicing mindfulness has many benefits, including:

• Aids in alleviating stress
• Helps to keep you focused
• Improves relationships
• Boosts memory and assists in improving cognitive function.
• Helps to improve mental health

Being mindful is an amazing self-care tool that can work wonders in your day-to-day life.

Final Thoughts

There’s an abundance of things to do in the Fall; this post just scratches the surface. I’m sure you can think of so many other activities to do for self-care for Autumn. For more ideas for self-care for this season, remember to check part two of this blog post for Fall Self Care Tips.

Until next time!

Thanks for reading.

Yours truly,

Tracy