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October is here, and so is a new season of self-care. I don’t know about you, but autumn gives me all the cozy self-care feels. Comfy clothes all day, cozy scents through the house, seasonal self care products, and of course enjoying the colorful changes in nature during this time of the year. Not only is fall beautiful but it is also the start of the busiest time of the year. Which means high anxiety and stress levels, burn out, and not making time for ourselves. Let’s talk about 8 ways that you can embrace the coziness that is fall, and practice some self care.
1.Embrace the Hygge
“Hygge” (pronounced “hyoo-gah” by the way 🤯) is a Dutch/Scandinavian word that means “a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable” according to Merriam-Webster. Fall is the best time of year to embrace the cozy side of life. Create your ideal cozy fall home atmosphere to bask in each and everyday when you are home.
Enjoy the dopamine rush that your favorite fall candle gives you when you’ve just finished cleaning the kitchen and have it burning on your counter top. Or the blissful coziness you feel when you cuddle up on your couch with a soft blanket and a warm drink, preparing to watch something good on television or read a book.
2.Indulge in Your Favorite Seasonal Flavors: Pumpkin Spice = Self-Care
Have that “first sip of coffee” moment every day, and thoroughly enjoy it! It doesn’t have to be pumpkin spice. What ever your seasonal flavor of choice is, treat yourself! Maybe your seasonal flavor isn’t a coffee or sweet drink at all, but you very much enjoy the seasonal produce that comes around in the “ber” months.
The list of seasonal produce that comes around in the fall is a long one, full of delicious and nutritious options. You can likely find many of these options all year round, but there’s just something about the fall that makes apples, pears, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash hit differently.
Other seasonal produce you should stalk up on this fall include:
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Figs
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Cabbage
- Eggplants
- Pumpkins
3.Connect with Nature
Now that the heat of the summer has finally begun to pass, spending time outdoors will be far more tolerable. Spending time in nature is top tier self care, especially in the fall. Not only can you spend time outside without sweating and getting a sunburn, there’s also the beautiful foliage to enjoy. That is, if you live in a region where leaves change color in the fall.
Regardless of the color of the trees, time spent outside in fresh air is time well spent. Science has proven to us that being out in nature is good for our over all health. Connecting with nature helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels by eliminating the stimulation overload that you likely experience everywhere else you go daily. Being outside also opens up a number of possibilities for physical activities, such as hiking, bike riding, jogging, or even going on long, leisurely walks.
4.Prioritize Sleep and Feeling Well Rested
Fall is a time of rest and restoration in nature, so why not for you too? Getting good sleep should be a priority all year, but when you focus on your self care this fall, make sure it’s near the top of your list. You’re going to need to rest with the holidays right around the corner. Not to mention upping your sleep hygiene game (essentially your sleep habits and environment).
During the later months of the year, our circadian rhythms can be disrupted by the changes in daylight as well as the temperatures. Poor sleep can be even more negatively impactful to our bodies in the later part of the year for several reasons. Additionally, stress levels are higher than they were over the summer and our immune systems are working harder. Prioritizing good sleep will alleviate some weight from stress as well as support a healthy immune system during flu season.
5.Stay Active and Move Your Body
Fall is the best time of year to get outside and be active. The temperatures become more mild and crisp, and the foliage is breath taking and easy to get mentally lost in while out for a walk in your local park. Staying active and moving your body in one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Staying active is good for both your physical and mental health. You want to get your blood pumping and muscles moving every single day for the health of your heart, and well your whole body actually. Exercise at any level supports good mental health because it releases some of those “feel good” hormones in our bodies naturally. Being outside in the fall while staying active is definitely an added mental health bonus!
6.Add Socialization to Your Weekly Agenda
It’s easy to become a recluse and spend more time alone than with your friends and family. Especially in the fall when life gets little busier and your house becomes a lot cozier. I totally get it, I’m certainly guilty of that myself. Prioritizing socialization is a form of self care, and with the change of the season comes changes in our biology. Circadian rhythm changes as well as changes in hormone levels in the body, all of which can lead to experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Adding socialization to your weekly calendar will give you a level of emotional support that you didn’t know you needed. I’m sure I’m not the only person who had to push myself to be more social, and discovered that once I did spend time with people I love I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, and felt “recharged” and reconnected to the outside world in a sense.
7.Stand By Your Boundaries
This one might sound little contradictory to the last point, but the core of self care is knowing yourself and what kind of balance you require for yourself. Socializing is important, but saying “no” to different requests that come your way is just as important. Fall is a very social time of year, with school starting back up, holidays rushing in, and other festive opportunities that will come up.
Self care means preserving and protecting your own peace, and sometimes that will call for you to remind yourself and others what your boundaries are. Boundaries don’t have to be hard “no”s to everything, but they should be where you draw a line. This is why it’s important o check in with yourself, especially this time of year, and determine what you need. Do you need more social time, or do you need some time to recharge your social battery? Self care is understanding what you need at any given moment and setting boundaries so that you can fulfill those needs.
A digital detox is a form of a boundary and will give you some space to recharge those social batteries.
8.Practice Daily Gratitude
Fall literally has a holiday that is based around gratitude and thankfulness. But that doesn’t mean you should save your grateful thoughts for that one singular day of the year. Practicing daily gratitude is an excellent form of self care that you can work on this fall.
Practicing daily gratitude can significantly enhance your well-being. By focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can cultivate a more optimistic mindset, reduce stress, and improve your overall mood. One effective way to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine is through journaling. Each day, take a few minutes to reflect on things you’re grateful for, big or small. This could include anything from the beauty of a fall sunset to the kindness of a friend. You can also try gratitude exercises like listing three good things that happened to you that day or writing a gratitude letter to someone you appreciate.
Celebrate Fall with Some Self Care Practices Today
Self-care is a journey of self-discovery and self-compassion. It’s about understanding your unique needs and taking the time to nurture your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect, but to prioritize your needs and make self-care a regular part of your life. By embracing the cozy practices of fall and incorporating these self-care tips, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling season.
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