7 Fall Self Care Tips & Ideas to Celebrate the Season

Pumpkin everything, crisp air, falling leaves, it’s Autumn. Here are 7 fall self-care ideas to help you rest, relax and reboot. 

SELF-CARE IN AUTUMN

As much as I love Fall, it also signals the start of the “most wonderful” and stressful time of the year. In the blink of an eye we will be knee deep in wrapping paper and flour preparing for special events with family and friends. Fall self-care is all about caring for your mind, body and soul. It’s about getting  cosy, nesting, and nurturing yourself over the coming season. Today I am sharing 7 fall self-care ideas to help you rest, relax and reboot all while savoring the season of Autumn.

It has been a long, hot crazy summer. I know that a lot of people LOVE summer, I am not one of them. I like the sun, warm(not hot and humid) weather after a long winter. But, Fall is my season. I love everything about it. The cool crisp air, the leaves crunching under my feet as I take my morning walk, shorter days, cozy evenings by the glow of  candle light, the smell of the first wood fire, pots of soups and stews simmering on the stove and of course all things pumpkin!

Life is stressful, and 24 hour news and social median seems to make life even more stressful. If we do not take the time to alleviate it, it  can make us sick, feel overwhelmed or suffer from anxiety. I am all about taking time to nurture myself and you should too. Do little things for yourself every day of the year, even if it is only taking 30 minutes to be alone to take a walk, to take a bubble bath, to read a chapter of a book or to just be.

7 SELF-CARE IDEAS FOR Fall

1. Find a new routine

Embrace the weather changes and day-light savings. Live in the present moment and find things to enjoy in the fall season.

• Turn in at least an hour before you normally do and take time to wind down.
• Put away your phone and computer, disconnect from social media. Maybe meditate or read for 30 minutes a day. Enjoy a book and a warm drink at the close of your day.
• If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder speak to your doctor about things you can do for your emotional health, mental health and physical health during seasonal changes.
• Take one day a week and pamper yourself, do a face mask, enjoy a relaxing bath with your favorite fall-scented candle.
• Get outside and get fresh air and vitamin D.
• Plan a cozy night in once a week to remove and rest from a long week.
• In the morning get up earlier and enjoy the peace and solitude before the house and the neighborhood come alive.
• On the weekends sleep in or have a “lie in” if you have nothing planned or take a nap on a lazy Sunday.
• Use the coming months to embrace some form of self-care weekly. Or try my 30 day Self-Care Challenge!

2. Get Out and Connect with Nature

​In fall, you cannot help but admire the stunning show of color, burnt oranges, golden yellows, and deep reds wave from the trees and then slowly fall to the ground. The crisp morning air, rustling leaves, the scent of a fire wafting on the air, all signal a change in the season. Take some time to slow down, and enjoy the seasonal changes, it is a balm for the soul.

Nurture yourself not just with nature but this fall but with some Fall fun as well.

Make a fall bucket list or just a list of autumn self-care ideas that you like, embrace sweater weather and get out there and do them with friends, family or even by yourself.

Here are a fun fall bucket list ideas.

• Go leaf peeping and enjoy the fall foliage.
• Enjoy seasonal produce, apples, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes,
• Host a chili cook-off.
• Visit the pumpkin patch.
• Grab your camera or phone and take come photos of the changing leaves, the sunset or sunrise.
• Jump in a pile of fresh raked leaves.
• Collect pinecones, acorns, seed pods, and wildflowers. Take them home and use them to make a pinecone wreath and other seasonal decor.
• Do a jigsaw puzzle or play games.
• Go apple picking at a local apple orchard , sip some apple cider and then come home and make caramel apples.
• Take a hayride.
• Attend a Fall festival or farmers market.
• If you need a few more suggestions here are 13 Fall Activities to Enjoy.

3. Savor a Warm Beverage

Over 20 years ago I was watching Oprah and she was sharing stories about her recent birthday celebration. She mentioned that she received a beautiful cup and saucer from friend John Travolta and with it was a note that said, “slow down and savor, take the time to enjoy the little things”(I am paraphrasing). From that day on, no matter how busy her day, she would stop, take out that cup and saucer and savor a cup of tea.

I am a hot chocolate girl myself and I have a whole collection of special cups, saucers and chocolate pots. Every single day I take the time to make a pot of hot chocolate and then I sit down with a book and I enjoy 15 minutes to myself.

I love the everyday ritual of making the chocolate. The cups take me back to trips or remind me of the people who gave them to me and the chocolate pots do the same.

Why not take 15 minutes to yourself each morning or afternoon?  Enjoy a cup of herbal teas, hot chocolate, pumpkin spice latte or other seasonal drink each day in a special or favorite seasonal mug.

Enjoy the scent of the brew, the flavor, and the warmth as you cradle the cup between your hands. But even more, enjoy the time that you took to care for yourself.

Grab a good book, a cozy blanket and enjoy. Little moments and time to yourself are always a good thing.

4. Ask for help.

Fall is the start of a busy season, the holiday season with lots of family parties and activities. Halloween costumes, parties and trick or treat then on to Thanksgiving meal preparations. Followed by Christmas planning, the decorations, baking, attending cookie exchanges, buying, and wrapping  gifts.

Add in planning, hosting and attending holiday parties, family Christmas cards to name just a few of the chores on the list and life is busy. Correction, life is exhausting for the next few months.

You should not and cannot do it all, and guess what? That is ok. Let someone else in the family make the yeast rolls for Thanksgiving or bake the pies or write the cards or mail the packages. Ask for help when you need it and even when you don’t. Take a deep breath what is important will get done.

5. Keep a Gratitude Journal

In life we often focus on all that is going wrong in our lives(not hard to do over the last few years) and we overlook all of blessings and little things in our lives that are going well.

Get yourself a nice pen; I use one of two beautiful pens that I  purchased over 25-30 years ago on trips to Europe and a journal. I’ve had many journals but to be honest my favorite books to write in are ordinary composition books.

Each day before I go to bed I write 3 things that I am grateful for. Somedays I could write 20 things and other days it is a struggle to write 3 but each time I close the book my mood is lifted and my perspective on things is shifted. By the way, there are health benefits and scientific evidence that giving thanks can make you happier.

Do you keep a gratitude journal? Why not add this practice to your morning or evening routine and practice gratitude for all that you have, not what you don’t.

6. Declutter & Prepare Your Space for Comfort

Declutter

Fall is a great time to declutter your living space, and to get ready for the new season ahead. Small changes will make a big difference in how the house looks and how you feel. If you are like me there are piles of books and magazines, as well as, clothes you no longer wear or like and other items around the house that can go. Think of this as Spring cleaning in the Fall. Go room by room and get rid of things like expired spices, old make-up, books, magazines, and clothes that you no longer like or need.

Put away your summer wardrobe and pull out your chunky sweaters, pants, coats, boots, hats and mittens. If you need a new coat for Fall trench coats and barn coats are “in.”

Prepare Your Living Space for Comfort

Your home plays a big role in how you feel, especially during fall and winters’ longer and colder days and nights. Taking the time to prepare your living space for comfort and coziness is the ultimate in Fall self-care. Little tweaks can create an environment that will help you slow down, destress  and relax every time you walk through the door.

Layer your flannel sheets, warm blankets and fleece throws on your bed. Then add a throw or two to a basket, along with some warm socks, place it near your couch or favorite chair to keep you warm and cozy.

Bring out your seasonal scents, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, clove or pine scented candles or diffusers, they are comforting and nostalgic.

Make a relaxation space in your home, add comfy pillows and throws, a stack of books, magazines, and your journal.

7. Bake

The colder months are a great time to get in the kitchen alone or with family. Baking is the ultimate in self-care because baking reduces stress and it’s fun. For me it is like a walk down memory lane. Each time I step into the kitchen I feel like I am back by my grandmother and my mother’s side baking all of our family favorites.

It is one of the best ways to express your love for your family and friends and to nurture yourself and family. Why not use seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, cranberries, and apples?

Pull out your favorite family recipes and whip up a pumpkin pie, a huge slab apple pie(this is my grandmother’s recipe), a pumpkin bread or some cookies.

You could spend the day baking with your kids, grandkids, or even the neighbor kids, or just enjoy a day to yourself making what you love. Once you are finished pack up little care packages to share.

Why is Self-Care Important

If we don’t take care of ourselves and put ourselves first we won’t have the energy or good health to care for others. Women are traditionally the care givers and nurtures in the family and they often expend all of their energy on others, so much so that they have nothing left for themselves.

That is where a  self-care routine comes in. For some self-care means taking a little time to de-stress, slow down and be alone. For others it is spending time with friends out and about. It all depends upon the person and what they need.

LIKE THESE FALL SELF CARE IDEAS? PIN THEM FOR LATER!

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

I hope these Fall self-care tips give you some inspiration for slowing down and taking care of yourself this autumn season. Remember, you don’t have to try them all, just try something small everyday to give your mind and body a rest. The beauty of Fall is all of the little and good things that make up this season of change. They are the things that will nourish your soul and keep you warm and cozy over the coming months.

You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!

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