Autumn is undeniably a lovely time of year, and it’s full of its delights. The colors of the changing leaves are so lovely to observe, and it’s wonderful to be able to treat yourself to a pumpkin spice latte. Or a cup of apple cider. There are certainly so many ways to enjoy this lovely season. But with that said, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room that is seasonal affective disorder. The shorter and colder days can certainly be quite a downer, especially with Winter being right around the corner. Needless to say, self-care becomes absolutely crucial as we move into the Autumnal months.
And when I speak of Autumnal self-care, I’m not just talking about treating yourself to a delightful cup of apple cider. Or taking a nice bubble bath with Autumn-scented products. Although that is most certainly a part of it, as we should all pamper ourselves sometimes. But we also need to look out for our well-being in the long run to help combat the Autumnal blues. As seasonal affective disorder begins to creep in, we can’t rely solely on what feels good and cozy in the moment. There should also be a focus on caring for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
With that in mind, it can also be helpful to embrace Autumn and its themes in your Autumnal self-care. Because honestly, Autumn has so much to teach us, and we should be incorporating its wonderful lessons into our lives. It’s wonderful to work alongside nature as the seasons change. And when we incorporate the current season into our self-care rituals, it helps us to embrace the wonderful season that’s upon us.
Spend Time In Nature and Go For Autumnal Walks
Autumn might just be my favorite season to go for walks and enjoy a bit of time in nature. Especially during the portion of Autumn where the leaves have changed, but have not yet completely fallen. The scenery is too lovely not to venture out and admire, and maybe even snap a few photos of. And when you can catch a sunny day with temperatures in the comfortable 55º to 70º range? My lovely, you absolutely must take advantage of those lovely Autumnal days and get out for a walk. We’ve only got a few lovely days left before the next season arrives, and lovely days are more scarce.
That said, with the days noticeably getting shorter, we want to soak up as much daylight as we can in the Autumnal months. And one of the best ways to do so is to get outdoors, even if just for a quick walk around the block. Or perhaps to read a chapter from your book on your back patio in the evening. Even if it’s a bit chilly out, you can always layer up or wear something extra cozy. And even if it’s a bit dreary out, it can still be quite lovely to spend a bit of time outdoors when it isn’t actively raining. That way, you’re soaking up more natural light than you would be if you had stayed inside, solely relying on what little bit of light peeks through your windows.
Honestly, I find that combating my seasonal affective disorder in the Fall can be as simple as going for a walk. Sometimes, all we need is a bit of natural daylight, fresh air, a change of scenery, and some easy movement of our bodies. And a break from our digital lives.
Prepare Yourself A Warm Autumnal Beverage
Generally speaking, I am an iced and frozen coffee type of girl. I love boba tea, smoothies, milkshakes, and all sorts of iced and frozen delights. But as the temperature begins to drop in Autumn, I start to crave something warm to sip on. Especially on chillier mornings, or after an afternoon outdoors in cooler weather. Honestly, it almost feels like a warm hug from inside. And as someone whose hands are almost always freezing when it’s cold outside, just holding a warm mug feels quite delightful. Plus, warm Autumnal beverages are quite a delightful treat themselves. And they don’t always have to be pumpkin spice.
That said, a pumpkin spice latte is the perfect Autumnal drink to help kickstart a Fall day. Especially if the darker mornings aren’t particularly motivating for you. But if you don’t enjoy pumpkin spice, caramel-flavored coffees are a wonderful Autumnal alternative. Chai and apple cider teas are also wonderful to sip upon on a Fall afternoon, or even in the evening in an herbal version. And apple cider is a delightful Autumnal drink that is divine served both hot and cold. Let’s also not forget about hot chocolate, which can be spruced up with caramel, pumpkin spice, and other Autumnal flavors for the season.
And do you want to know something extra special about enjoying a hot drink on a chilly Autumnal day? You generally have to slow down and sip on it mindfully. Otherwise, you may burn your tongue. And honestly, we could all do with taking a moment to intentionally slow down. Which makes slowly sipping a hot Autumnal beverage a self-care moment in itself.
Enjoy Some Seasonal Autumnal Dishes
One of my favorite things about each season is the food. Whether it be the harvestables that are in season themselves, or the dishes that can be made from them. Or even the meals that simply make sense to enjoy in each season. And there’s quite an abundance of harvestables and hearty dishes that are in season in the Fall. From apples, pears, and pumpkins that go wonderfully in pies and desserts, to the wide array of vegetables that go amazingly in both salads and soups. And there are certainly so many hearty Autumnal meals that are wonderful to enjoy on a chilly Autumnal evening. Such as chilli!
Enjoying Autumnal dishes is certainly a wonderful way to embrace Autumn. That said, there are also numerous benefits to eating Autumnal harvestables while they’re in season. For one, they’re often cheaper when they’re in abundance and are easily sourced locally. And you’re consequently supporting local farmers, especially when you purchase them from a local market. Plus, harvestables that are in season are also often more flavorful and nutrient-dense than produce that was rush-grown in a factory.
So enjoy that bowl of homemade chilli on a chilly October evening. And allow yourself a slice of pumpkin roll or apple pie for dessert. Nourishing your body and soul with delightful Autumnal dishes is certainly a lovely form of self-care.
Indulge In Cozy Indoor Activities on Rainy Days and Evenings
As lovely of a season as Fall is, it goes without saying that not every day is going to be ideal for spending time outdoors. I know that I certainly don’t want to be outdoors when it’s cold, windy, and rainy. And admittedly, I’m a bit more of an indoorsy sort of gal to begin with. Needless to say, the yucky weather gives me full permission to indulge in my indoorsy hobbies. Without the guilt that I’m wasting a lovely day by sitting in my cozy little space for the majority of it. Plus, many cozy indoorsy activities pair well with a stormy afternoon, and make a dreary day feel less dismal.
So why not give yourself permission to grab a hot cup of chai tea and read a book when it’s pouring down rain? Or enjoy an evening of watching Netflix as the sun starts setting earlier in the evening. Heck, why not sit down and play your favorite cozy video game on a stormy evening? Or, perhaps, you could sit down and take on a creative hobby such as knitting, cross-stitching, scrapbooking, or even writing. If you’re looking to be a content creator, perhaps Autumn is the time to begin your content creation journey. Or you could sit down and write in your journal, perhaps about the themes of Autumn itself.
Rainy days happen, my lovely. Especially in the Fall. We also can’t make the sun stay out longer as we move into Winter. So we might as well make the most of our cozy space. And enjoy all of our favorite indoor activities.
Focus In On Gratitude
So often, we put a lot of focus on the things that we’re still looking to manifest that have yet to come into fruition. It’s also easy for us to get caught up in what isn’t going so smoothly for us. Perhaps our day job is extremely frustrating, maybe our romantic interest ghosted us, or maybe our bestie cut us off. Life can be rough, and it’s only human to feel those hard emotions when life happens. With that said, we also can’t forget to acknowledge what we do already have, what we still have, and what’s going right for us. Because honestly, we all have so many wonderful and positive things going for us. And we often don’t focus on them enough.
We could all benefit from practicing gratitude on a more regular basis. Honestly, it can make a wonderful start to your day to have a morning gratitude practice every day. Or perhaps you could end your night on a more positive note by writing a few things you’re grateful for as a part of your evening routine. Heck, even just being more mindful to focus on the positive aspects of your life is a wonderful way to practice gratitude.
Certainly, Autumn is not the only time that we should be practicing daily gratitude. But with gratitude being one of the major themes of the season, it’s the perfect time to sincerely focus on gratitude. Truly commit to writing in your gratitude journal, and truly dig deep with it in the Fall. Focus more on the positive aspects of your day as you move through life in the Fall, and in every season. It’ll certainly infuse more positivity and joy into your life.
Release Mental, Emotional, and Physical Clutter
Autumn reminds us of how just beautiful it is to let things go. And when the trees let go of their leaves, they’re not burdened by the weight of holding on to them throughout the Winter. Then, they’re able to blossom again in the Spring. And honestly, we can all benefit from following nature’s lead when it comes to letting go of what no longer serves us. Whether mental, emotional, or physical clutter, Autumn is a wonderful time to take notice of what’s no longer serving us, and begin to release and let go of it. That way, you’re not bogged down by something that is no longer helping you thrive. And your growth isn’t being hindered by anything that’s run its course in your life.
While it’s certainly sad, some people are only meant to be in our lives for a season, my lovely. Perhaps that situationship you’ve been holding onto for too long was nice in the beginning. But now you’re just frustrated because their communication with you is scarce. Or that friend you were once close to and trusted deeply has hurt you one too many times. Or they only contact you when they want something from you. Heck, maybe you’re the one who got ghosted by your friend or partner, and you have to come to terms with it. And not make space for them to come back and hurt you again.
Let’s also not forget that sometimes, we also have to let go of certain aspects of ourselves to grow. Such a our limiting beliefs of who we are and what we can be. Or habits or lifestyle choices that are holding us back from living our best lives.
Whatever it is, it’s time to let go of everything that is no longer serving you.
Pamper Yourself With Autumnal Products
Home spa days are the epitome of self-care. After all, one of the first things that comes to mind when we think about self-care is bubble baths and facial masks. And while these lovely self-pampering sessions can’t be the entirety of your Autumnal self-care, they certainly have a place in your self-care ritual. It can be lovely to take a hot bath in the Fall with an autumn-scented bath fizzer. Or to take your everything shower with some autumn-scented body products. And then to moisturize with a thick body lotion, also in a Fall scent. Then to go on to do your skin and hair-care routine with Autumnal products.
That said, our skin and haircare needs do tend to change as the seasons change. So naturally, it’s important to pay attention to what your skin and hair are craving as a part of your Autumnal self-care. Whether it’s by using gentler cleansers, thicker moisturizers, or focusing more on lip care. Or perhaps deeper conditioning of your hair. And with that in mind, please be sure to look for products that meet your skin and hair care needs in the colder months. Or any time of year, for the matter. Not just what’s trendy or comes in a pretty package.
But seriously, my lovely, allow yourself to have that wonderful Autumnal spa evening. Perhaps on a chilly night after a hard day at work. Or on that rainy afternoon when seasonal affective disorder is really getting to you. You can even do it as part of your seasonal reset. Just be sure to romanticise and enjoy it to the fullest.
Glam Up In Your Favorite Autumnal Styles
I personally feel my best when I look my best, and I’m not afraid to be extra because of that fact. For me, dressing up and looking well put-together is a form of self-care. And while my personal style tends to lean more into Summer and Spring styles, I do have a love for Fall fashion. A lot of the time, I can’t wait to break out some of my favorite Autumnal fashion pieces. Honestly, dressing in Autumnal styles, while sipping on a pumpkin-spice latte, is one of my favorite ways to embrace Autumn. Plus, sweaters and cardigans come with the added benefit of keeping me warmer on those chilly Autumnal mornings.
I almost must say, it’s a lot of fun to play with layering in the Fall. You can really get creative with your looks when you can layer without feeling as though you’re going to sweat through every layer. And honestly, you often want to layer in a way that layers can be removed and set aside as the day goes by. Especially as it can be 40ºF in the morning, and somehow 70ºF in the afternoon. The weather in the Midwest can truly be something else. Although I know that this can’t be exclusive to my region.
That said, it can be a fun form of self-care to play around with your favorite Autumnal styles. Even if you’re like me and tend to prefer lighter and more Summery or Springy styles. It’s a fun way to embrace Autumn, and tap into your creativity to put your own spin on Fall fashion.
Conclusion
Autumn is quite a delightful season, albeit a bit cold and dreary at times. So let’s be sure that we’re all taking good care of ourselves throughout the “ber” months. Let’s enjoy some spa evenings with pumpkin and apple-scented products. As we also sip on a cup of hot cider and play some cozy games, or have a movie marathon. That said, let’s also not forget to look after our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Let’s follow nature’s lead and let go of whatever is no longer serving us. Let’s focus more on gratitude and what brings us joy. And let’s nurture our bodies and souls with nutritious and delicious Autumnal dishes.
Let’s refocus on our self-care this Fall. While bringing Autumnal themes and vibes into our self-care ritual, all through the season.
What does your Autumnal self-care routine look like? How do you practice self-care in the “ber” months to keep yourself happy and thriving as the temperature begins to drop? I’d love to hear about how you care for yourself in this beautifully colorful season!
Thanks for sharing. Autumn is my favourite time of year!
Autumn is truly a lovely season!
Autumn is indeed a lovely time to focus on oneself by doing self care. Thanks for the tips!