After a summer, many of us have completely forgotten or have just given up on all of our healthy and self bettering new year’s resolutions. With Fall officially being the end of bathing suit season, it is all too easy to get back into old habits. Just because the leaves start changing colors doesn’t mean it is time to stop establishing self-care habits in your daily life.
As Autumn begins, so too does seasonal depression and anxiety. Often during the fall and holiday seasons, you may notice an increase in your body’s stress and anxiety levels. While we may not notice at first, more things are changing than just the color of the leaves.
Fall marks the start of a looming holiday season filled with family gatherings, and a new school year. I don’t know about you, but those two things might as well be the exact definition of stress and anxiety. Not to mention an increase of pressure and regret for all those things which you set out to accomplish this year, but have yet to do.
Below are several ways for you to focus on self-care in the fall, and get rid of those seasonal blues!
8. Layers, Layers, Layers!
When that first cool breeze of fall finally hits, you know it is time to bring on the layers! Throw on your fluffy socks, break out your sweaters, and lay out a few throw blankets around your house.
Studies centered around sensory therapy show that blankets, in particular, can help reduce anxiety and stress. This is because the feeling of being swaddled makes us feel safe, comfortable, and at ease. The same is true when we wear fluffy and soft materials. Putting slight pressure on our bodies combined with cozy feelings is a surefire way to help calm you down and find a peaceful state.
7. Relax, and Watch Your Favorite Fall Movies
Making time to relax is ever so important in any self-care routine. Put on your favorite fall movies, embrace the nostalgia, and just kick back! Mine and Jessy’s favorite fall time movies are Hocus Pocus, Halloween Town, Sleepy Hollow, and The Haunted Mansion!
6. Make Homemade Applesauce
Along with other things, taking care of yourself means providing your body with nourishing foods. Now, at least in America, Fall is all things butter, sugar, bread, and carbs. When I am looking for a healthy fall snack, I turn to homemade applesauce!
Homemade applesauce is one of the simplest things you can make, and boy does it fill your home with autumn scents. Our favorite homemade applesauce is made with only 4 ingredients, and it uses honey as a sugar substitute! Check out the recipe!
5. Diffuse Fall Scents
Essential oil diffusers are simple and easy products to use for self-care. Essential oil diffusers offer health benefits like reduced allergies, increased concentration, and boosting one’s energy and mood! When Autumn rolls around, it is time to bust out those Fall scented oils!
My favorite Fall inspired essential oils are Cloves, Lavender, Nutmeg, and Sweet Orange!
If you’re not sure how to blend your essential oils to fill your home with the smells of Fall, check out our article on The Best 8 Essential Oils for Fall Blends.
4. Light Some Candles
Lighting may not seem like that big of a deal to most of us, but it can have huge effects on your mood. Think back to all those times sitting in a boring classroom with bright white lights shining on you for what feels like an eternity. Even some companies do this in their office buildings, and it just makes you feel drained and on edge.
At home, you can control the amount of light you get. Practice self-care by creating a relaxing environment at home. Light a few Fall-scented candles, and let the dull flickering lights carry you into the night.
If you are into Zero Waste like me, check out my favorite ways to upcycle and Repurpose Candle Jars!
3. Try Fall Flavored Teas
One of my favorite ways to get cozy on a cool Autumn night is to snuggle up on the couch with a hot cup of tea. Drinking hot tea can help calm your nerves, as well as support your body with healing herbs. This is why I love drinking tea as part of my self-care routine!
My favorite Autumn flavored teas are Spiced Apple and Vanilla Tea, and Hot Cinnamon Spice Black Tea. For more Fall inspired teas, check out our article on the 6 Best Drinking Teas for the Fall Season.
2. Perform a Random Act of Kindness
As we see the holiday season coming into full view, we also begin to see a spirit of giving. We see it at our grocery stores, our shopping centers, our favorite restaurants, and so on. Everywhere you look, there is a gift someone is trying to sell you to give to your sister, your brother, your friend, your parent, coworker, or child. Buying and giving someone a gift isn’t the only way to extend kindness to others.
Performing random acts of kindness is a great way to embrace the spirit of giving, but also practice self-care as you are able to maintain healthy boundaries you’ve already established.
Instead of going all out and taking your friends out for dinner, give them a phone call and tell them how much they mean to you. Try writing your parent a heartfelt letter, instead of buying them a gift they will probably just end up throwing away. Open a door for a stranger, or even give your local grocery boy a compliment. Nothing is too small when sharing kindness with others.
1. Make Time for Gratitude
Giving thanks is another popular theme seen throughout the Fall and holiday seasons. We believe, being thankful should be practiced year-round, and even on a daily basis. Making time to be thankful for all the great things in your life helps you realize how much your life is already filled with an abundance of wonderful things.
Keeping a gratitude journal is an easy way to remind yourself to make time for gratitude every day. When you start focusing in on how amazing your life is, more and more beautiful things will be drawn to you. This is why we have included keeping a gratitude journal in our 7 day self care challenge and created our own gratitude journal for our audience.
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