Here are some of the best fall self care activities and essentials you need in 2023.
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It’s that time of year again. The leaves are falling, the nights are getting colder and it’s the perfect time to cozy up on the couch with a blanket and hot chocolate.
But with so much going on in life, it can be hard to find time for self-care. Fall is a beautiful season that offers plenty of opportunities for self-care: from watching fall-themed movies and creating a bucket list of activities you want to do outdoors this season to cooking delicious fall recipes and detoxing from social media (and everything else). Here are some ideas for how you can make this season your best yet!
Why is Self Care Important?
But first, why do we even need to do any self care when we already have so much going on? Self care is important because it helps you to feel good. It also helps you to focus on your needs, which can be hard when you are busy taking care of others. Taking time out for yourself is important, because it allows you to recharge and give your body what it needs to function at its best.
Taking care of yourself means making sure that all of your needs are met – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Self-care involves doing things that make us feel good about ourselves or make us happy; these activities may include eating healthily, having fun with friends or taking part in physical activity such as walking or yoga classes (which are great ways of releasing endorphins).
Fall Self Care Activities
Watch Fall-Themed Movies
Fall is a great time to get cozy and watch movies. Of course, Halloween movies are my favorite. I honestly love children’s Halloween movies, like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown because they make me feel good.
What’s your favorite movie or show in Fall?
Create a Fall Bucket List
Every Fall, I make a bucket list of the things I want to do.
Try writing down some ideas that you want to do this Fall. Here are some of mine:
- Go to a haunted house
- Go to the pumpkin patch
- Make hot chocolate
- Carve pumpkins
- Go to a football game
- Cook a Fall recipe
Go for a Walk
A nice walk in the park is a great way to clear your mind and get some fresh air. If you can’t get outside, take a stroll around your neighborhood or go on a hike at one of our many state parks.
I love getting outside when the leaves are changing. It’s so beautiful!
Make a Fall Music Playlist
You can make a playlist of your favorite fall songs and play it while you’re getting ready in the morning, or just to sit down and relax or have a dance party. This is a great way to get into the mood of the season.
If you don’t have any seasonal music on hand, use streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music (or even YouTube) to find some! Many artists release new albums around this time of year – including holiday albums – so there’s plenty of options available for those who want something special.
Go to the Farmer’s Market
Some places might not have a farmer’s market open, but if they are there are some new stuff you can look to get for new recipes!
Some foods they might have at a Fall farmer’s market are pumpkins, squash, apples, and more.
Start a Journal
A journal is a great way to reflect on the year, especially if you’re looking for some self-care ideas to start this Fall. You can either use an old notebook or download an app that will help you organize your thoughts. There are a few different things to do with a journal:
- Write down your goals and plans for next year (or even just January).
- Write down what you are grateful for this year: maybe it was a family vacation, or maybe it was finding out that one of your friends has cancer too and needs support through treatment like yours does! Whatever it is, think about how lucky we are to have each other in our lives–and write those things down!
- Take time every day at night before going to bed where all thoughts from today will be gone from my mind except these ones: What did I do today? Who did I meet? Where did I go? How did I feel about those experiences? Then close the book with “Today was good.”
Reset your Schedule
With or without daylight savings time, sometimes we need to take a step back and adjust our schedule, especially if we’re getting bored. The first thing to do is reset your schedule. This can be a challenge, but it’s worth it!
You could try out a new morning routine, or just sit down and figure out where you want to be spending more time. Sometimes with holidays coming up, we tend to get caught up in working.
Also, where are you at in meeting your goals? Do you need to prioritize some new things to meet them?
Redecorate your House
One of my favorite Fall self care activities is redecorating my apartment. I love getting out the new wreath, candles, and other little Fall decorations.
For me, it’s self care because it’s fun and relaxing!
Try a New Hairstyle
There are so many options for hairstyles, whether you’re looking for something new or just want to try something different. You can get a haircut, color your hair, and even try out some fun accessories.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not go with a drastic change? There are tons of ways to style your hair in the fall season–and even more during wintertime!
I always like going darker in Fall, but you can change your hair however you want!
Get a New Fall Wardrobe
To go along with a new hairstyle, you can also try getting some new clothes. When it comes to self-care, there’s nothing like a new Fall wardrobe. When you feel good about what you’re wearing, it can help improve your mood and make you feel more confident. It can also get you out of a rut if the weather has been unseasonably warm or cold, but now that fall is here in full force (at least where I live), I’m finally ready to embrace my favorite season with open arms!
Cook a Fall Recipe
Fall recipes are warm and comforting. You can make a full dinner or focus on a dessert.
My absolute favorite dessert in Fall is pecan pie. What’s your favorite Fall food?
Stay Hydrated
We always think about drinking water when it comes to summer, but it just kind of goes away when the weather cools off. With good reason, since we’re not sweating as much.
But we still need to remember to stay hydrated, even in the cooler seasons.
Clean your Home
You may not realize it, but cleaning your home can be a great way to stay healthy and keep your mind clear. The process of cleaning helps you focus on one thing at a time, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
I like doing deep breathing in each season, not just “spring cleaning.” This is a great way to reset for Fall.
Reflect on your Goals
Fall is a great time to reflect on what you want to achieve in the future, and how you have been doing so far. It’s also an opportunity to look back at your progress and think about what went well, as well as things that could be improved upon.
Here are some questions you can use for this reflection:
- What are some of my goals for this year?
- How am I doing with these goals?
- Is there anything that needs improvement or adjustment?
Detox from Social Media
Another Fall self care activity you must do is a detox from social media and making time for other things. self care is also about taking time for yourself and disconnecting from technology. Social media can be addictive, as it’s easy to feel like you need to be on your phone or computer all day long. It can make us feel bad about ourselves when we compare our lives with others’ Instagram feeds or Facebook posts.
To help detox from social media, try turning off notifications for apps like Instagram and Twitter–you’ll find that you don’t miss them as much as you think! If this sounds too daunting, try limiting usage instead: Set aside certain times during the day (like after work) where no phones are allowed in order for everyone in your household
Go to a Fall Festival
Fall festivals are the perfect way to enjoy the season and treat yourself. They’re also a great way to get out of the house, meet new people and have fun!
I love going to Fall festivals. There are haunted houses, corn mazes, warm food, and more! What’s your favorite thing to do at Fall festivals?
Make a Warm Drink
The fall weather is a great time to make warm drinks. Whether you’re feeling stressed or need some help falling asleep, there are plenty of ways that hot cocoa can help! Try making your own batch at home, or use the convenience of ready-made packets at the grocery store.
If you want to go all out and get fancy with your fall self-care routine, consider adding in some spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
Get some Exercise
I feel like after summer, people usually really fall off of exercise. That’s about the time I usually quit. But it’s an important part of your self care routine to keep exercising, even when the weather cools off.
Update Skincare for Cooler Weather
As the weather cools, your skin will need more hydration to keep it from getting dry and flaky. So switch to a heavier moisturizer and use a hydrating serum in addition to your usual routine. A hydrating mask is also a must-have; it’ll help lock in moisture as well as give you an extra boost of antioxidants, which are especially important during this time of year when there’s less sunlight exposure (and therefore less vitamin D production).
Here is my current skincare routine:
Morning
- Rinse face with cold water (wash using gentle facial cleanser if your prefer)
- Apply vitamin C serum
- Apply moisturizer and sunscreen (I combine mine with this product)
Night
- Wash face with gentle cleanser
- Apply retinol 2x week (I use this for sun damage)
- Apply moisturizer
I try to keep it super simple so I’ll actually stick to it. Since retinol exfoliates your face, I’ll choose a different day about 1x/week to exfoliate using Paula’s Choice BHA.
Start a Fall Hobby
Fall is the perfect time to start a new hobby. I love doing hobbies for self care because you can just get in the zone and relax. What’s something you’ve always wanted to start?
You could start photography, knitting/crocheting, or playing an instrument. There are so many to choose from!
Fall Essentials for 2023
I also wanted to include some Fall essentials that I bring out of storage. These are all things that make me happy and feel more cozy at home.
Candle
I absolutely love any pumpkin or cinnamon scented candles for Fall. My favorite right now is Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Pecan Waffles.
Hot chocolate
Another must have for Fall is Hot chocolate. I like this warm drink a little later in Fall when the weather is cooling. I’ll make some slow cooker hot chocolate, cuddle up on the couch, and watch a Halloween movie.
Blanket
What’s the point of Fall if you don’t get a new blanket?! I happen to be a blanket fanatic.
My favorite blankets that I’ve been looking for are the ghost blankets on Tik Tok, but I haven’t been able to find them anywhere.
Sweater
A new season always calls for a new comfy sweater that you can lounge in at home or a nicer one to wear when you go out.
Fall Self Care Activities Summed Up
We hope these fall self care activities have inspired you to make time for yourself. You deserve it! Fall is a beautiful time of year, and it’s also a great opportunity to take care of yourself. Whether you’re looking for something simple like watching movies or creating a new playlist, or something more involved like going on walks or redecorating your home–these tips will help make sure that you’re feeling your best throughout this season.
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