When the leaves start to turn, the nights begin to chill, and pumpkin spice everything appears on grocery shelves, you know fall has arrived. The season brings plenty of opportunities to have fun and practice a little self-care as you leave the summer behind and head into the colder months. As the days get shorter and life seemingly gets busier, it’s important to make your mental health a priority and find time for self-care in your routine.
If you’re looking for ways to embrace self-care this fall, here are fifteen suggestions to get you started:
1 – BAKE SOMETHING SEASONAL.
Fall flavors like cinnamon and pumpkin lend themselves to lots of great excuses to bake. Whip up an apple pie, cider donuts, cinnamon rolls or a loaf of pumpkin bread and share it with friends and family for a special way to enjoy the season.
2 – HIT THE ROAD.
When the leaves start changing during the fall, it’s the perfect time to load up the car and take a scenic drive in search of some beautiful fall colors. You’ll want to do some research to see when and where you can find the best fall leaves in your area, and bring your camera along to capture some great photos while you’re out!
3 – LIGHT A CANDLE.
If you’re trying to make your house feel a little more fall-like, consider lighting a candle to set the mood for the season. While there are lots of candles out there with autumn-themed scents, there’s nothing that reminds me of fall more than the smell of a cinnamon apple candle.
4 – SIP A PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE.
If you look forward to the rollout of the pumpkin spice latte each fall, ignore the haters and order one as a little indulgence. And if you don’t like pumpkin spice? That’s OK – there are plenty of tasty beverages to enjoy at your local coffee shop.
5 – GO APPLE PICKING.
Not only will you have fun picking apples and figuring out how on earth you’re going to get through them all, but you’ll also enjoy a great excuse to spend some time outside and enjoy the crisp fall air.
6 – WATCH YOUR FAVORITE FALL MOVIE.
Waiting all year to watch Hocus Pocus? The time is now! Take advantage of the season to watch your favorite Halloween and fall-themed classics.
7 – DECLUTTER.
Get rid of things that are merely taking up space and find a home for miscellaneous odds and ends that land on counters and tabletops. You’ll be amazed at how much clearer your mind will be when your space is neat and free from distractions.
8 – PERFORM A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS.
There’s never a bad time to do something nice for someone else. Pay it forward at the coffee shop, or hide a couple of dollars (or a few words of inspiration!) in the pages of a popular library book for someone else to find.
9 – CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF.
Curl up on the couch with a blanket, a cup of tea and your journal, and revisit your goals. While this is a worthwhile activity at any point in the year, checking in during the fall can be a great way to refocus your energy for the remainder of the year.
10 – TAKE A NAP.
As the days start to shorten, you might find you need a bit more rest to feel energized – and that’s ok! Treat yourself to a nap when you have the time. Open the windows, snuggle up under the covers and catch up on your rest.
11 – CRAFT SOMETHING.
From festive wreaths for your front door to DIY decor, there are plenty of fun and easy crafts you can make to celebrate the fall. Spend some time on Pinterest and figure out what you’d like to make, then gather your supplies and get to work!
12 – INDULGE IN YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN CANDY.
Halloween only comes around once a year, so you shouldn’t feel too bad splurging on some sweets. Pick up a bag of candy for the trick-or-treaters that you won’t mind having leftovers of, or embrace it and grab your favorite bag of assorted fun-sized treats to chow down on. Just don’t give yourself a stomach ache!
13 – PUT SOMETHING IN THE SLOW COOKER.
When fall arrives, it’s time to pull out the slow-cooker and find some new recipes to try out. Coming home to a house that smells heavenly and a fully-cooked meal can make a huge difference when the days start to feel shorter.
14 – RIDE YOUR BIKE.
Boost your endorphins with a little exercise and take your bike out on a spin before it gets too cold outside. Find a nearby trail and admire the fall leaves as you cruise past, or bike to your favorite coffee shop or farmer’s market and get out of the house for a bit.
15 – DECORATE A PUMPKIN.
Doing something to express your creativity is always a worthwhile exercise, and it’s a great way to both relieve stress and have fun. Pick up a pumpkin from a nearby pumpkin patch or your local grocer and see what you can come up with!
Don’t let yourself get run down when fall rolls around. Instead, give these self-care tips a try throughout the autumn to stay stress-free and grounded.
