Autumn is the perfect time to pause and recharge. A season for mindfulness, reflection and self-care. Having a list of fall self care ideas at the ready is a great way to take advantage of this wonderful season.
As the days get shorter and we creep into the holiday season, when any and everything is begging for my attention, I pause to breathe. I try to mindfully use the fall season to take a deep breath and remind myself to enjoy the little things.
So, shake off the sand dust of the summer months and get started with this list of the best and most simple fall self-care ideas.
“This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”
What is Self Care
Self-care is the simple act of taking the time to do things that take care of your mental well-being and physical health.
The World Health Organization defines self care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”
Fall is a perfect time to find little and simple ways to give yourself some self care. As the days get shorter, it is important to take care of your emotional needs. Seasonal depression is very common during the darker months of fall. A healthy way to combat this is to intentionally plan activities that allow you to appreciate everything the season has to offer.
From getting fresh air to enjoying the fall foliage, fall is the best season to enjoy the little things. In addition, it is the perfect time to relax and recharge before the added stress of the holidays and the pressures of the new upcoming year.
RELATED: BEST DIY SELF CARE KIT IDEAS
Fall Self Care Ideas
One of my favorite things to do at the start of a new season is to see how I can change up my daily routine. What activities can I do now this time of year that I couldn’t before? I look for activities that account for the colder months while allowing me to indulge in fall, my favorite season of the year.
So grab a cup of hot cocoa and go through this list of fall self-care activities. Note down what resonates for you and start creating a go to list for when you have a little bit of extra time to carve out for yourself. Or have fun and create a Fall Bucket List and check it off as you go.
Get cozy, recharge and enjoy the beautiful season of fall.
1. Enjoy a Good Book
Diving into a good book is a great way to relax and unwind. Maybe a mystery novel or romantic comedy. If you have trouble finding the time to read, set a goal of reading in small increments, like 10 – 15 pages each night before bed.
2. Indulge in a Nice Hot Drink
A seasonal pumpkin spice latte at your local coffee shop, apple cider or hot chocolate drinks are a great way to cozy up this fall season.
3. Nature Walk
Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to take care of your mental health. Enjoy the crisp fall air and the changing color of the leaves.
Bonus points to snap a few photos along the way to look back on when you need the peaceful reminder to breathe.
4. Go for a Scenic Drive
Get in the car for the sole purpose of just going for a scenic drive. So often we get in the car to run errands, drop off the kids, point A to point B like robots, we miss the beauty of our surroundings. Plan a scenic drive trip to allow yourself to take it all in.
5. Pumpkin Patch
Fall and pumpkin picking go hand in hand. Look up your local seasonal pumpkin patch. It is fun for the whole family. And be sure to come away with some great pumpkins for both carving and decorating.
6. Declutter your Living Space
Fall is the perfect time to clear out your closets, desks, and nooks. Many health experts have studied the negative effects of clutter on our mental health and emotional well-being. As the colder weather of fall keeps us indoors, fall is a great time to declutter your space so you can be more productive and your mind can be more at ease.
7. Donate Old Clothes
Once you have decluttered your closet and space, donate the items to a local charity in your community.
8. Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Channel your inner kid and run through a corn maze.
9. Spend Time with Good Friends
Whether it is a coffee date in the middle of the afternoon or a small dinner party, spend some quality time with good friends.
10. Gratitude Journal
As we move into the season of thanksgiving, take stock of all of the things in your life that you are grateful for.
Practicing gratitude can be one of the simplest ways to get “unstuck”. It is easy to dwell on the negative things in life. A gratitude journal gives you the opportunity to reflect and give thanks for the positive things in your life. The things that fill your well. The practice can be a great reminder of your “why”.
To get started, a nice journal and pen. Begin by writing three things that you are grateful for. You can do this at any point of the day, but it is nice to make a routine of it either first thing in the morning or in the evening before bed.
11. Dedicate Quiet Time for Yourself
With the shorter days of fall, remember to pause and give some time for yourself to do nothing! The days go quickly. The minutes are often dedicated to tasks and everyone else but yourself.
12. Apple Cider Donut
If you haven’t tried one before… now is the time! Head over to your local donut shop and indulge in the season’s offerings.
13. Go Apple Picking
Fall is the best time of year to go apple picking and makes for a great family outing. Grab a bucket, pick your delicious apples and then come home to bake apple pie or make some delicious hot apple cider.
14. Aromatherapy
Use a diffuser to create the scents of fall with essential oils. Get creative mixing different scents together.
15. Make a homemade face mask
As the season changes, so do our skin’s needs. Plan a relaxing night in and do a DIY face mask for a little fall self-care.
More Fall Self Care Ideas
16. Relax with a Weighted Blanket
According to the Sleep Foundation, weighted blankets can help reduce stress, have a calming effect by calming the nervous system and can improve sleep quality.
17. Scented Candles
My personal favorite is to light seasonal candles throughout the house. Not only do candles create a calming effect but the scents of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and apple all add to the overall ambiance of the season.
18. Watch a Favorite Movie
Whether it is a scary movie to get you ready for Halloween or a sweet rom-com to get you in the mood for the holidays, it is a perfect time to bundle up with a favorite movie.
19. Cook a New Recipe
The season calls for hearty crockpot stews and soups. This is where weekly meal planning and farmer’s markets can really come into play.
20. Enjoy a Local Farmer’s Market
Fall farmer’s markets are the best times to get seasonal root vegetables that are perfect for crockpot cooking, squash, pumpkin, kale, Swiss chard, potatoes, etc.
Grab a basket and make a wonderful late morning out of a trip to your local farmer’s market.
21. Connect with Good Friends
Plan a lunch date with a good friend. Fall is a good time to pause and reconnect.Check-in and call a good friend or family member. This in-between time of summer and the full swing of the holidays is the best time to pause and reconnect.
22. Get Cozy with Fuzzy Socks
It’s cold out. Bundle up and enjoy getting cozy inside. Fuzzy socks, a book and your favorite fall drink make for a good evening.
23. Go for a Hike
Try a new hike that you have not done before and joy the crisp air. Breathe. Smile. Enjoy being out in nature.
24. Bake
Baking can bring so much comfort and relaxation, along with yummy scents throughout the house. Baking is also a great opportunity to involve the littles and make memories. All things with pumpkin pie spices and nutmeg make my baking list.
I fondly remember baking apple pies when I was younger and to this day, the smell of pumpkin bread in the oven brings me right back.
25. Plan a Weekend Trip
Plan a trip that you can look forward to. It doesn’t have to be anything big or a lot of extra cost. It can be as simple as getting in the car and staying at a local town near you. Getting out of town is a good way to reset when needed.
26. Unplug
Try a technology detox for an afternoon or day, or weekend. Unplug from emails and social media to clear your mind and reset your priorities.
27. Decorate the House
Let the decorating begin. Now is the time one holiday rolls into another. It is so fun to fill the home with seasonal decorations.
28. Indoor Workout
Cooler weather can call for indoor workouts. Find a good indoor yoga class or YouTube workout for those days that are just too cold to go outside
29. Treat Yourself to a New Fall Sweater
Get a go-to sweater that is perfectly cozy for the season.
30. Learn a New Hobby
Fall is a great time to learn a new indoor hobby like drawing, knitting or crochet.
31. Establish a Good Morning Routine
Mornings are an important time as they set the tone for the rest of the day day. Establish a morning routine that works for you to set your day off with intention.
32. Create a Relaxing Evening Routine
Evening routines are equally important as morning routines. How we whined down at the end of the day contributes to our quality of sleep and rest.
33. Give Back
Volunteer a little time at an animal shelter to walk dogs or help at your local pantry. It can be rewarding knowing you can make a huge impact and help a lot of people, even in small ways.
34. Ask For Help
Sometimes the best self care is realizing that you may need help. Call upon your village to help with child care, delegate tasks, and communicate needs with your partner. Burnout and stress come from taking on too much and not knowing when to ask for help.
35. Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries for yourself is a way of protecting your well-being. We can not be everywhere all the time and we can not be everything to everyone. Practicing saying “no” when needed, you will be making room to say “yes” to the things you want.
Fall is a great time to define what self-care means to you. It looks different for everyone.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to find little ways to give yourself moments to pause and joy.
As fall moves us into the end of the year, take time to enjoy everything this wonderful season has to offer.
More articles about self care:
39 BEST DIY SELF CARE KIT IDEAS