Button yourself up in pumpkin spice and phenomenal foliage this autumn, and don’t miss these fall-inspired self-care tips:
Autumn Self-Care Plan
1. Exercise Outside.
As the temperatures cool down and the landscape transforms into radiant golds, reds, oranges, and yellows, take advantage of opportunities to exercise outdoors.
Perhaps it is going for a hike with friends, cycling around the neighborhood while the sun sets, or even joining an outdoor yoga class. There are a multitude of opportunities to stay active outside during the fall.
Just be mindful of shorter days and cooler weather, and go prepared with layers and extra lighting (flashlight, headlamp, etc) as needed.
2. Take a Warm Bath.
Ease the day’s tensions and release the shivers of that first autumn cold snap with a warm bath before bed.
In addition to cleansing and hydrating your skin, a warm bath can help relieve that annoying seasonal sinus pressure as well as reduce muscle pain. Cooling off from a warm bath right before bed has also been shown to help promote better and longer sleep.
Take your bath up a notch by lighting a couple candles, playing calming music, and using a bath bomb with a scent you find relaxing. This will be a great addition to your evening routine, and to your self-care plan for the season.
3. Add Scents to Your Home.
The aromas of pumpkin spice lattes, Thanksgiving dinner cooking, and holiday cookies baking seem to permeate the final few months of the year. But did you know, some fall scents can actually boost your brain health?
Peppermint has been shown to enhance cognitive functioning and relieve pain. Cinnamon may aid memory. Vanilla can elevate feelings of joy and relaxation, and pumpkin might even serve as an aphrodisiac.
Find candles, incense, or essential oils with your favorite fragrances of the season and smell on.
4. Incorporate Fall Superfoods.
Take your autumn meal planning to the next level this season by incorporating fall superfoods that are both symbolic of the season as well as super healthy or you. Rich with potassium, acorn and butternut squash can be melded into sweet and savory dishes.
Vitamin C-loaded cruciferous veggies including cauliflower, kale, and broccoli are must-have additions to salads and grain dishes. And sweet potatoes packed with Vitamin A are an obvious addition to any holiday meal and self-care plan.
Read also: 11 Tricks to Save Money This Fall
5. Volunteer.
The final months of the year are ripe with service opportunities as nonprofits and charities are looking for generous holiday givers.
Sign up to volunteer at a local fall festival or Thanksgiving charity run. Pitch in at a neighborhood or river clean up. Do something simple and nice for an elderly neighbor like raking their leaves or making them a warm meal.
Whatever you decide to do, prioritize giving back and helping others this season. Caring for others is one of the greatest ways to take care of yourself.
6. Create a Holiday Bucket List.
Fall paves the way to what often ends up being a somewhat chaotic holiday season. Once Halloween rolls around it’s all meal planning, shopping, travel scheduling, visiting family, you get the picture.
Take the fresh pause Autumn offers to make your holiday bucket list. That’s a list that captures all the things you want to accomplish this holiday season. It might include volunteering as a bell ringer, seeing a holiday lights show, or planning that weekend trip you’ve been eyeing for months.
7. Address Pain Points.
Don’t go into the homestretch of the year with a ho-hum attitude of “this is as good as it gets.” If chronic pain or a sports injury has you avoiding social gatherings, skipping workouts, and dreading the holidays, take the time now to address it and find a solution.
Even if you’re sporting an arm sling for an injured shoulder, or stuck in a knee brace and discouraged from running for a month. There are still ways to stay active and find happiness this season. Try a different exercise activity. Ask for help. Prioritizing your own health, happiness and self-care plan can go a long way to helping you topple your frustrations.
8. Go For a Walk.
It sounds so simple, but can an early morning walk in fall really benefit your own well-being? Absolutely.
The crisp, cool air of fall mornings foster the perfect environment for wrapping up and taking a walk. Also, the changing colors of your surroundings and very presence through nature can help lower stress levels and boost your attentiveness.
A simple walk also affords you a window of time in the day to simply relax. :et your thoughts wander to the ideas and daydreams that make you feel joyful and calm.
That’s how a good self-care plan for the fall looks like. Where will you begin?