Autumn has arrived! This time of year naturally provokes a multitude of emotions as the new season ushers in busier schedules, cooler temperatures, shorter days, and the start of the holiday season. The fall season offers some unique chances to promote seasonal self-care and assist you de-stress, from introspection and thankfulness for what the year has delivered to stress generated by the ongoing pandemic and the forthcoming holidays.
The Importance of Self-Care
While stress is an inevitable part of life, it can leave us feeling nervous, tense, frustrated, and discouraged. Self-care can assist to reduce the negative effects of stress and improve general well-being.
Anything healthy you do to address your bodily, emotional, and spiritual needs is considered self-care. While self-care should be practiced all year, it is common for self-care routines to shift with the seasons. Seasonal self-care activities can add diversity to your routine while also allowing you to tap into diverse interests, moods, and energies.
Here are some self-care ideas that are perfect for helping you de-stress this season!
1. Have a good time this Fall. Make preparations to enjoy some exciting Autumn activities by tapping into your creative and fun-loving sides.
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go apple picking
- Take a hayride
- Enjoy the fall foliage
- Take a hike
- Watch a football game
- Binge watch your favorite scary (or not-so-scary) Halloween movies
- Decorate for fall, Halloween, Día de Los Muertos, or Thanksgiving
- Host a chili cookoff
- Go to an Oktoberfest event
2. Drink a warm beverage. There's something incredibly relaxing about drinking your favorite hot beverage, whether it's tea, coffee, cider, or cocoa. Especially in the fall and winter!
3. Be charitable and generous. Putting your time, energy, and money into a cause you care about can lift your spirits and make you feel more empowered and hopeful.
4. Keep healthy boundaries in place. Boundaries are a crucial aspect of self-care! Setting appropriate limits allows you to prioritize your time and avoid overcommitting to activities that you can't or don't want to perform. As a result, setting boundaries can help you promote and safeguard your health. With the Christmas season approaching, it's vital to remember that you can't do it all, and that it's healthy to safeguard your mental health by saying "no" to people and events that drain your energy and don't bring you joy.
5. Soak up the sunshine. No matter the time of year, sunshine is good for the body and soul! Take advantage of sunny days by getting outside for a walk, a cup of coffee, or outdoor dining. And be sure to use sunscreen, year-round, to protect your skin from harsh UV rays.
6. Make some room. Many of us are overburdened with possessions! Because your physical surroundings have an impact on your mood, decluttering your home and office can help you create a calmer atmosphere, which encourages a calmer mood. Begin by separating three boxes or bags into three categories: trash, donation, and sale. Every day, set a goal for yourself to collect ten items and place them in one of the three bags.
7. Start a gratitude journal. t's easy to get caught up in the negativity, especially during difficult times. You'll be better able to focus on your strengths, blessings, simple joys, and good parts of your daily life if you keep a gratitude diary.
8. Be Active. Most people feel better after stretching their muscles and increasing their heart rate; it benefits both the body and the mind! If you've been exercising outside or prefer it, compile a list of indoor-friendly physical activities so you don't have an excuse not to exercise when the weather isn't cooperating.
9. Ask for help. Failure to practice adequate self-care can leave you feeling exhausted, burnt out, and resentful. Asking for help can help you avoid these negative feelings while creating a win-win because when you give your loved ones an opportunity to help you, they feel valued and respected.
10. Practice good hygiene. While practicing proper hygiene to avoid becoming sick isn't the most enjoyable kind of self-care, it's critical this time of year. Washing your hands to getting a flu vaccination, staying home when you're sick to incorporating positive psychology into your daily life, proper hygiene can take many forms, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.
Have a happy, healthy fall season!