Time to take a deep breath – you’ve already made it through most of the year!
Fall, or Autumn, is truly magical season of colors that has inspired many poets.
But the days also get shorter and the weather gets colder.. The decreasing temperatures and less hours of light can have an impact on our mood.
That’s why I have a lot of great self care for fall ideas ranging from low energy to high energy for you to try out.
Quick Access
Keep Cozy
The best thing about the cold weather is keeping cozy right?
At least I feel like that’s a big part of fall self care – Staying comfortable and warm.
Burn Autumn Scented Candles
Lit candles create such a nice atmosphere and there are so many wonderful scents that can remind you of this season.
Savor sweet scents like cinnamon, vanilla or brown sugar.
Maybe you prefer crisp scents like sandalwood, bonfire or pine.
There’s no shortage of scents for this season.
Bonus point if you eat your dinner by candlelight – it’s so romantic, even if you’re eating alone.
Curl up with a Book
When you’re wrapped up in your blanket at home consider pulling out a good book to read.
Reading can be done for enjoyment and stress reduction, or it can be done to learn more.
Reading a good book will allow you to travel somewhere else without leaving your blankets.
Reading isn’t just self care for fall though, it’s good for all seasons.
Watch more sunsets
The days are shorter and one of the benefits of that is earlier sunsets.
Each sunset is unique and beautiful.
Now that they happen earlier try to watch as many as you can.
If you work a 9-5 you might catch it on your way home making the commute even more pleasant.
Snuggle under Blankets
Some days when it’s chilly all you want to do is stay home and hibernate like a bear.
(I mean, I’m pretty sure that’s not just me?)
It’s especially nice to stay cozy under some blankets when the weather is bad outside.
Let yourself take a day off, you deserve it.
Wear your pajamas all day
When is the last time you did this?
Well, given the situation the past couple of years it may have actually been pretty recently..
If not you should try it the next time you have a day free of going-outside-responsibilities.
Stay comfy in your warm pjs all day and fully take the day off.
Watch a Movie
If you just aren’t feeling like reading, try watching a movie.
Something nostalgic is great this time of year.
You could also get started early on your holiday movies (there are hundreds!) or watch something spooky to get into gear for Halloween.
Sip Hot Beverages
There are so many delicious hot beverages to try.
Maybe you already have a favorite or it’s time to find one.
Coffees, lattes and hot teas are the most popular, but there’s also hot apple cider and my personal favorite – hot cocoa/chocolate.
Add as much whipped cream or marshmallows as you desire!
Update your playlists
It’s a new season so take the time to find some other music to add to your playlist.
Search for some songs that will really give you the fall vibes.
Or download Christmas songs months early if that’s your thing.
Sit by a fire
If you have a fireplace this is something you can do at home, but I still recommend going out to sit by a bonfire!
There’s just something so Autumn about sitting by an outdoor fire.
The warmth and the smells are just so cozy.
Craft
Create something with your hands!
DIY a nice wreath for your door, shape some clay, do something creative with fallen leaves and pinecones or knit something.
This really could be anything.
Maybe it’s time to try your hand at something new that you’ve always wanted to give a shot.
Write a love letter
Write a letter to someone special or write this letter to yourself.
Let them know all of the reasons that they are great and important to you.
Too often the things will feel deeply go unsaid.
If you are writing the letter to yourself consider it part of your self love practice.
Self love is as important as self care.
Hygge
It’s pronounced hoo-ga and it’s one of my favorite self care of fall ideas.
I can’t talk about being cozy without talking about Scandinavian practices!
Hygge is probably the most well known oh the words describing this kind of lifestyle and means (roughly) a mood of comfy coziness with feelings of contentment.
If that sounds good to you, I did a whole deep dive into some of the Scandinavian secrets for happiness that I think you’ll enjoy!
Have Fun
Having fun is actually quite important when it comes to self care.
If you find yourself getting too stiff, stressed or feeling like you’re on autopilot – there’s a good chance you need to have some fun!
Apple Picking
If it’s not realistic for you to visit one, just eat some fresh apples and visualize yourself there.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Once we hit October, they just seem to pop up everywhere!
It’s fun to look at all of the different sizes, shapes and even colors of the pumpkins.
Pumpkin Art
It’s a pretty common Halloween tradition to crave pumpkins and create jack-o-lanterns.
If you don’t like the idea of dealing with all the mess, you can always paint a design on a real or fake pumpkin instead!
Crunch leaves
That crunch-crunch-crunch under your feet just makes walks feel different.
Or rake them into a pile and jump in!
Feed Birds
Make a bird feeder with a pinecone and some string – use peanut butter to stick the bird seed on.
Or put up a little bird house to help shelter them from the coming colder weather.
Decorate for the holidays
Maybe you like to set up a nice display for each holiday – or you just want to get a head start on your Christmas decorating.
Whatever holiday you’re decorating for, take a while to make your space look and feel festive.
Toast Marshmallows
But better than that, is making s’mores.
Even if you don’t have a fire to hold them over, it’s actually pretty quick and easy to toast them in the oven.
Add the chocolate and graham crackers then enjoy!
Picnic in the Park
Pack some hot drinks, wrap up in your sweater and go have a nice Autumn picnic in the park.
Nature, good food and nice company is a great recipe for a self care afternoon.
Walk in the Woods
Take a crisp morning walk one of these Autumn mornings and enjoy all of the nature around you.
Go out even if it’s a little foggy or grey.
That kind of weather can really make the trees seem mystical.
Indulge
I believe that the key is balance.
Eat foods that make your body feel good, but also eat foods that taste good!
Remember to treat yourself sometimes.
Try New Recipes
There’s never a bad time to try a new recipe, but with the changing of seasons come new types of dishes you can create.
If you live in the United States, it might also be nice to practice making something new in time for Thanksgiving!
Eat Seasonal
Try to eat fruits and vegetables that are in season during the fall months.
Not only will they be at their peak, they should also be less expensive.
Some seasonal fruits are cranberries, grapes, pears, apples and pineapples.
Vegetables in season include squash, potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, spinach and kale.
Visit A Farmer’s Market
Produce you buy at the grocery store had to be shipped from somewhere and you can’t be sure how long ago it was harvested.
Buying produce from your local farmer’s market is a good way to make sure it’s fresh.
You’ll also be supporting small businesses and likely saving money in the process.
Roast Veggies
You may not be a huge veggie fan, but give this a try.
Roasting veggies in the oven brings out different flavors than the other ways of cooking them.
The roasting of veggies brings out their natural sweetness.
They get crisp on the outside, but stay tender on the inside – give it a try!
Warming Foods
Try oatmeal or grits for breakfast.
For later in the day it could be soup, stew, chili or even ramen!
There’s just something about eating these warming foods on a cold day.
Bake
When I think of Autumn, I definitely think of pies.
But any sort of baking can be really cozy and fill your house with delicious aromas.
You could try baking fresh bread and biscuits if you don’t have a sweet tooth like I do!
The options really are endless.
Bake something from scratch, or bake something from a box, doesn’t matter.
Just enjoy your labors afterward.
Savor Sweets
There are some sweets that are just so Autumn.
I’m talking pumpkin spice anything of course.
But also caramel apples and chocolate bark.
Or just buy candy.
Why not? It’s usually on sale.
You can buy it early to hand out to trick-or-treat-ers come Halloween or just buy it for yourself!
Check In
I don’t mean into a hotel, I mean check in with yourself.
It’s the time to tune into yourself to start planting the seeds that will bloom into flowers come spring!
That’s really what self care for fall is all about.
Fall is the season of planting – both literally and figuratively.
Let Go
This time of year the trees show us how beautiful it is to let things go.
Fall is a good time to unsubscribe, unfollow or mute people who don’t make you feel good.
Let go of anger, judgments and regrets too.
The leaves falling off the trees are the perfect reminder of how it can be beautiful to let things go.
Set 90 Day Goals
October third marks 90 days until the end of the year.
That makes it a great time to set some short term goals.
While it’s good to have goals for the entire year, in some ways 90 days is the perfect amount of time.
It’s not too long, but also not so short that you won’t be able to complete what you set out to accomplish.
Practice Gratitude
Instead of focusing on lack, focus on the abundance of all the good in your life.
Write lists of the things you’re grateful for and take time to truly feel appreciative.
Gratitude will turn what you have into enough.
Slow Down
Because this season can be such a busy one, you have to consciously remember to pause.
Instead of rushing into the future, sit down and fully immerse yourself in the present.
One of the easiest ways to do this is through meditation.
Meditation is not just one of many self care for fall ideas, but a good idea for self care all year round.
Start a New Habit
There’s no need to wait, start working on new habits before the new year.
That way you’ll start the year already ahead and doing things right!
There are a lot of good healthy habits that are easy to start.
Maybe you want to start drinking more water, fixing your sleep schedule or begin a new journal.
Quit a Bad Habit
I have a whole post going over 8 of the most common toxic habits that you should work towards giving up.
You might have a different habit in mind and that’s ok because habits are very personal to each individual.
Journal
Start or continue keeping a journal.
There are so many different ways to write in your journal and so many good reasons why you should.
If you’ve struggled keeping up with a journal in the past, here’s a post about how to stay consistent that might help you out.
Stay Active
When the weather gets chillier, sometimes we stop working out.
The cold makes it more difficult to get out from under the warm covers.
This is one of the most important self care for fall ideas because the benefits of movement and exercise don’t stop just because the weather changes.
Getting enough exercise will also help you fight against seasonal affective disorder.
Reconnect with someone
This time of year can be hard for a lot of people.
As part of your personal self care – try reaching out to someone who you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Someone who always made you feel good, but you just lost touch with.
They’ll probably be surprised and delighted to hear from you!
You’ll make both of your days better.
Donate
Donate clothes that no longer fit and things that you no longer use.
This time of the year as the weather is growing colder, give back and help those in need to stay warm.
Feel good about helping others and also clear out some of your excess stuff.
Volunteer
There are so many places that you can volunteer.
From neighborhood clean-ups to libraries to pet shelters to soup kitchens and so many more different things.
It has been shown repeatedly that helping others also benefits our own mental health – it’s a win/win.
Stargaze
Fall is a great time to stargaze as the nights grow dark earlier.
Depending on the times that you gaze into the sky, you may catch the last of the summer constellations or the first of the winter constellations.
Buy seasonal Flowers
Buy yourself some flowers.
I love having fresh flowers in my house!
When I think of Autumn or fall bouquets the flowers that come into my mind are sunflowers and asters, but you can buy whatever flowers that you find beautiful.
Of course self care is something that you should be practicing all year round, but when our schedules get busier too often self care is one of the first things to get put aside.
But it’s important not to forget about taking care of yourself.
I hope one of these 44 self care for fall ideas inspires you take better care of yourself!
Like what you read? Want to follow along on the journey?
I would love it if you signed up for my mailing list!
I’ll send you a new e-mail every week when I release a new post!
You’ll also be given access to my printables vault and won’t be sent any spam.
Just enter your e-mail address below ↴
Comments are closed.