Self-care is something we should do every day, all year-round. But just like our meals, our routines can become stale and less effective if we don?t switch things up every once in a while. Especially when the seasons change. Here?s some insight into why you might want to customize your self-care routine depending on the time of year.
The Weather Changes
The first reason you might want to switch around your self-care routine in the fall is due to the weather changes. In the summer, it?s hot, so you might have had activities related to the warmer weather, like sitting outside on your patio on a nice, sunny day, or enjoying a glass of iced tea while writing in your journal or reading a magazine.
In the fall, the weather starts getting cooler, so mornings might be too chilly to enjoy sitting outside in nature. Instead you?ll probably want to bundle up on the sofa with a cup of herbal tea or organic coffee. If you?re missing the direct connection with mother nature, fill your home with air purifying plants or diffuse essential oils that bring the scents of nature in doors. Cypress, Douglas Fir and Wild Orange are perfect for this time of year.
You Might Prefer Other Activities
You might also find that during this time of year, other activities are more suited to your self-care routine. Perhaps you practiced yoga over the summer, but for the fall you want to go on more hikes or have evening strolls with your family. Maybe you want to enjoy a hot mug of cocoa in the evening while writing in your journal or bake cookies with your kids. Check out my recipe for Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies. They?re delicious!
Catch Up on What You Didn?t Get Done
Did you have activities or tasks you wanted to complete over the summer that didn?t get done? Now is a good time to re-think these tasks and figure out if you can get them done during the fall season. If you use a planner or journal, take a look at what your summer goals were, and move some of them over that can be done in the fall.
The year is more than half over by this point, so also consider some end-of-year goals that might switch up what your self-care routine looks like.
One on One Care Just for You
One of my year-round favorites is dry skin brushing. I find it especially important during the Fall and Winter months because we?re eating heavier meals and tend to be more sedentary. It may seem like just one more thing to add to your to-do list, but believe me when I tell you, this simple act of kindness for your body can be a bit addicting.
You?ll want to do this before you shower with?yes, you guessed it?a dry skin brush. Buy one that?s a natural (not synthetic) bristle brush with a long handle so can reach all areas of your body. It only takes five minutes a day or less, costs nothing, and helps cleanse your body, inside and out.
We have a heated fan in our bathroom which keeps the chill off. You can also start the shower to generate some warmth and while you?re waiting do some quick strokes from outer limbs towards the torso and your heart. Dry skin brushing is easy and the benefits are many: improves circulation, helps your body detox more efficiently (our skin is our largest organ), and gives your skin a fresh glow.
You Can Add in Fall Superfoods
Taking care of your health is really important as part of your self-care routine, but that doesn?t mean going on a crash diet or only eating salmon and kale. There are a lot of delicious superfoods that are loaded with vitamins and minerals, and are fun to enjoy during the fall. Some common fall superfoods include butternut squash, pumpkin, apples, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. Add these to your meals, and you?ll have a noticeable boost of health.
This is a busy time of year. No one is denying that. However, it’s also the most critical time of the year to build in some “me” time for yourself. It’s nearly impossible to care for everyone in your family, extended family, pets, and everything else you’re responsible for if you don’t take whatever time you need for yourself to recharge your batteries. I harp on this a lot, I know. Mostly because I need the constant reminder for myself. We are only as good as the care we take of ourselves. Simple, yet profound.
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