10 Ways to Focus on Selfcare This Fall
The days are getting darker, school’s starting up again, and cold weather is sure to worsen the moods of many across the country. If fall’s not your favorite season, it’s important to keep selfcare in mind so you can stay mentally and physically healthy in autumn, in winter, and beyond into the growing seasons of spring and summer in 2023.
Not sure where to start? Read on for 10 ideas to focus on selfcare – because you matter just as much as everyone else.
1. Learn to Meditate or Do Yoga
Meditation and yoga are excellent activities if you want to practice selfcare. They’re primarily good for your brain, but yoga especially is also good for your body. While learning to meditate or practice yoga takes time and effort, they’ll both pay dividends later as you learn to control your emotions, relax, and know your body inside and out.
2. Try a New Hobby
A new hobby, like knitting, baking, learning a language, or something else is a great way to maintain brain flexibility and give yourself something to be excited about each day. If possible, try to find a new hobby you can enjoy with others; that way, you’ll make friends outside the workplace!
3. Ease Up On the Eyestrain
Spending all day on your computer or mobile device can do a number on your eyes. In fact, it can lead to eye health problems if you aren’t careful, plus make it more difficult to fall asleep at night (since blue light from electronic screens tricks our brains into thinking it’s morning, not evening).
You can practice better selfcare at home and at the office with the right reading glasses. Reading glasses reduce eyestrain when looking at small words on paper or on computer screens. Less eyestrain also means you’ll be less likely to run into annoying headaches – never a fun experience in the middle of your day!
4. Improve Your Diet with Supplements
You are what you eat, so one of the best ways to practice selfcare this fall and beyond is to improve your diet. Rather than completely switching up your kitchen supplies, why not improve your diet with a few smart supplements?
Supplements with extra vitamins and minerals, and key amino acids, can do wonders for boosting your mental and physical health, plus help you gain more muscle at the gym. Just be sure to do your research before popping regular supplements – for example, there are differences between omega 6 vs. omega 3 fatty acids, so it’s a good idea to know those differences before choosing a daily supplement to take with breakfast.
5. Start a New Workout
Your body should be treated like a temple. If you work out and are physically healthy, you’ll feel better even as the weather declines and the days get darker. If you don’t already exercise, it’s a good idea to start a new workout ASAP.
Fortunately, you don’t need to change your entire lifestyle to achieve physical fitness. Just exercising for 30 minutes every day is enough to reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues, plus help you cut down on excess weight. Lifting is also a great way to exercise, especially if you are getting older and want to maintain bone health and muscle density.
Worried about feeling sore after exercise? As the saying goes, that’s just weakness leaving the body! In fact, it’s your muscles repairing torn fibers and growing larger. If you feel sore, all it means is your workout was worthwhile.
You can and should stick with your workout for several weeks before switching things up. If soreness becomes a little too much to bear, not to worry. Hempvana pain relief cream and other topical solutions can help to ease daily discomfort and allow you to head back to the gym even though it’s tough at first.
6. Spend Time in Nature
We humans are wired to enjoy nature, like trees, fresh air, and open skies. If you spend all your time indoors due to your work or hobbies, don’t forget to spend some time outside this fall. Take moments to marvel at the changing colors of the leaves or enjoy the crisp fall breezes that rustle through your hair. You’ll feel more connected and relaxed even during times of stress.
7. Get More Sleep
Many Americans don’t get enough sleep, but we all need at least 7 to 8 hours of slumber each and every night. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll feel cranky, tired, and stressed out. Do yourself a favor and get more sleep; it’s one of the easiest yet most important ways to practice selfcare.
Having trouble falling asleep? In that case:
- Turn the temperature down in your home a few degrees, as our bodies need to cool off to achieve restful slumber
- Go to bed at the same time each night to train your body and mind to sleep more easily
- Avoid caffeine in the second half of the day so you don’t feel jittery before bed
8. Enjoy a Warm Drink Every Day
Fall is a prime time to enjoy delicious warm beverages like pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate, and tea. No matter what beverage is your favorite, be sure to treat yourself to a warm drink every day. It’s a delight for your tastebuds and an easy way to give your mental health a boost.
9. Read More Often
Reading is good for the mind and the soul. Instead of watching draining TV, try to read a fiction or nonfiction book for an hour before bed each night. Not only will this help you to sleep more easily (by giving your brain something to focus on as it drifts off), but you’ll also expand your knowledge and your interests at the same time.
10. Decorate Your Space
Lastly, you can practice selfcare by decorating your home or office space to your liking. Put up strings of fall-colored leaves, throw up some jack-o’-lanterns or pumpkin ornaments, and get into the fall spirit with decorations. It’s a great way to get yourself in the mindset to prep your home for Christmas or winter-themed decorations in the future, too!
As the days grow shorter and colder, it’s important to remember to focus on selfcare. Taking a little time for yourself each day can help you stay healthy mentally and physically during the fall, winter, and beyond. If you’re not sure where to start, read on for 10 ideas to get you started. What will you do today to focus on your wellbeing?
