Does the term “self-care” have you wondering where to start? As the weather cools down and the leaves start to change, allow that crisp, cool air to invigorate you as you try out some of these ideas for a comfy, cozy autumn.
1. Walk in Nature
Leaf-peeping is a favorite pastime for a reason: Who doesn’t love seeing the vibrant colors before the leaves begin falling? Whether a challenging uphill climb or a stroll through the woods, taking a walk in nature is one of the ultimate forms of self-care. Forest Bathing, a term coined in Japan (shinrin-yoku) refers to a form of ecotherapy in which you connect with nature through your senses. Disconnecting from technology and immersing yourself in the natural world can bring about ultimate calm and relaxation. A hike alone or with friends can provide the same connection with nature, giving you a sense of accomplishment when you reach the top (and some incredible views as a payoff for your hard work). Like other forms of exercise, hiking also releases endorphins, known as “the feel-good hormones.”
2. Revitalize your Skincare Routine
You’ve begun to enjoy the relief from sticky, humid, summer weather, and start to realize your skin is dry. And turning up the heat at home only makes matters worse. Don’t panic! There are several natural, clean products out there to give your skin an autumn glow and prepare it for the winter ahead. Start with the skin care quiz to find the selection of products customized for your skin type. Try Countertime Cleansing Oil to wash away makeup and impurities while leaving your skin soft and smooth. Even in the cooler months, using an exfoliating product into your skincare routine is still very important to remove buildup, dry skin cells and to help prep your skin so your other products absorb. Counter + Overnight Resurfacing Peel is a gentle overnight exfoliating product that can be used 2/3X week to boost radiance and improve skin texture. All Bright C Serum works for every skin type and protects you from environmental pollutants. Hydrating serums are effective during every season. Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum contains two forms of hyaluronic acid and delivers added benefits such as fine line reduction and a more even skin tone. You may find that you need to begin using a more intense moisturizer; Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion adapts to the environment to give you the level of hydration you need and leave your skin vibrant. Countertime Supreme Cream is a deeply hydrating cream that supports elasticity and visibly firms while minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. You can even add a few drops of a nourishing facial oil for the extra hydration your skin needs in the winter months ahead.
3. Take a Bath
It’s often said that self-care is “more than taking a bath.” Soaking in a warm tub, however, can be an integral element of your autumn self-care routines. Still a bit sore from that hike in the woods? Add some Epsom salts to your bath water and feel your muscles relax. Or try a bath bomb or bath soak for a dose of ultra-moisturizing aromatherapy. Hoping for a good night’s sleep? Studies have shown that lavender oil can help ease you into a restful slumber. For the ultimate indulgent experience, use a bath pillow to rest your head, and have some plush towels and a comfy robe ready.
4. Try a New Fall Recipe
There’s a reason pumpkin spice is all the rage… It brings to mind all of the things that make autumn so nostalgic like comfy sweaters, apple-picking, Thanksgiving memories, and lighting that first fire of the season. Why not try a new fall recipe that will delight your taste buds as you usher in fall and all of the warm, fuzzy feelings that come with it? Use up those apples from your day at the orchard in a pie, cake, or applesauce with cinnamon. Pumpkin bread is as easy as pie, and will fill your kitchen with the most incredible, warm scents of fall! Butternut squash soup is a simple dish that feels rich and decadent but is the ultimate healthy comfort food.
5. Indoor Workouts
You know you want that blast of endorphins from exercise, but the cold air has you shying away from the outdoors. Try working out inside! The perfect form of self-care, workouts can be five minutes or an hour. They can be intense or relaxing, and anything in between. Try YouTube for free workout tutorials, dance to your favorite songs, or invest in a couple of dumbbells for both upper- and lower-body strength training. Yoga and pilates online classes can help you relax, tone, and increase flexibility. Invest in a gym membership (many are very affordable) or a fitness app that brings a seemingly endless number of workouts right to your screen. Exercise benefits your mind and your body, and any amount of regular movement keeps you in the habit of taking care of yourself.
6. Pumpkin Crafts
Have you ever driven past a farm stand, piled high with beautiful, vibrant orange pumpkins and wondered just how many you can fit in your car? This perfect symbol of fall provides more opportunities for fun and creativity than you may realize, and they’re perfect for an autumn afternoon of self-care! If you’re looking for something beyond the traditional jack-o-lantern, check out these stencils. Each includes specific guidance, as well as tips for using the right tools. And don’t forget to pick up some clean candles to set your carved pumpkin alight with an orange glow. If you have little ones at home or are just not interested in pumpkin carving, you can paint yours with any design you choose for an even more family-friendly option.
7. Practice Letting Go
Whether actively or through meditation, learning to let go of the past and look forward to the future is an important aspect of self-care. And what better time than at the change of the seasons? Mindfulness allows us to observe our thoughts and feel our feelings. It can help us live in the present. Breathing, yoga, and journaling are a few ways you can implement this practice into your daily life. Guided meditation can be found on YouTube, and apps such as Calm and Headspace can help you manage your mind and increase your connections to the present. If you’re looking for more variety, PositivePsychology.com provides 21 Mindfulness Exercises & Activities For Adults. It’s often been said that falling leaves symbolize change; what a perfect time to change how you care for yourself by looking inward.
8. Go to a Farmer’s Market
Even if you live in a major city, chances are there is a farmer’s market nearby. From ultra-local to much larger and far-reaching, these outdoor marketplaces create a cozy, hometown feel. Produce is sold at the peak of the season, as fresh as fresh gets. Not only are you buying healthy, natural food; you know exactly where it comes from. And, you’re supporting the farmers directly. You’ll also often discover freshly baked goods, far superior to anything mass-produced and shipped to supermarkets. You may even come across some local honey, or non-food items like crafts and other artwork. Best of all, you get to enjoy the crisp fall air and changing leaves while also nourishing your body in true “farm-to-table” fashion!
9. Prep Your Outdoors for Winter
Whether you have a huge garden of raised vegetable beds or a few flowering bushes by your front entrance, prepping your landscape for winter is a necessary task that can be transformed into an act of self-care. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean up weeds and any dead plants. Often seen as a spring activity before planting, tilling your garden after the growing season also helps prep the soil before the ground freezes. Feel free to add compost during this step. Clean up leaves throughout the fall; this can be a fun activity for your family to help with! And who doesn’t love to jump into the giant pile once it’s done? Being outdoors in the fresh air helps remind you that yes, even when it’s cold out, outside activities are possible (and even fun), especially if you know there’s a hot cup of herbal tea with honey from the farmer’s market waiting inside.
10. Practice Gratitude
As summer turns into fall and we send the kids back to school and put away our beach bags for another year, we may be tempted to mourn the “loss” of summer fun. This is the perfect time to care for ourselves by practicing daily gratitude. Focusing on gratitude can improve specific aspects of your life as well as increase your overall happiness. You can start a daily gratitude journal and write about what you’re grateful for and why. The 3 Good Things app allows you to record three things each day for which you’re thankful.
Start with any of these self-care strategies to welcome the fall season. And remember to take care of your self throughout the rest of the year, as well!