10 Simple Fall Self-Care Tips

If you’re worried about how to stay healthy and well this autumn, check out these 10 simple fall self-care tips!

Because while fall can be such a celebratory time, it can also be packed with activities galore and quickly become PACKED and INTENSE! I’ve found that having some simple self-care practices in place helps save my sanity which is why I’ve come up with a list of 10 simple fall self-care tips!

What comes to mind when you think of fall?

Colorful leaves? Cooler temperatures? Sweaters? Back-to-school sales? Pumpkin spice everything!?!

What if we could take all of the cozy, lovely, celebratory elements of the season and leave all of the over-committed, frazzled, exhausting parts behind?

Doesn’t that sound nice!?!

Here are 10 simple fall self-care tips to incorporate this time of year!

1. Get yourself a good planner

Do yourself a favor and set yourself up for success by incorporating a solid planning system.

This doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. In fact, I would advise that you keep it as simple and inexpensive as possible!

There are countless planners out there and depending on your personality, style preferences, and budget, you have a ton of variety available to you. You may decide you want a planner specific to homeschooling and teaching, or you may opt for something more general.

I have used the Blue Sky Planner for YEARS and I find that it works really well for me. It’s simple, straightforward, and SUPER affordable!

With the goal of keeping your planner simple, user-friendly, and inexpensive, select a planner that feels like a good fit for your personality.

2. Develop a morning routine

Full disclosure: I am NOT a morning person.

Nope.

I’ve tried my entire life to become a morning gal, alas, my night owl tendencies are just too tough to break.

And let’s face it: Most of us live in places that are much more conducive to the schedules of morning people than night owls. Being an early riser, working out in the morning, being productive, and getting stuff done tends to be highly valued and rewarded.

Unfortunately, with my personality and natural tendencies, I’ve often felt like a failure as I tried to implement a morning routine again and again. It felt like I failed every single time.

This means that for years I’ve struggled to find a morning routine that works FOR ME.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve realized the more simple and enjoyable I can make my mornings, the more likely I am to stick with a routine.

And this routine sets me up for success the rest of the day!

Currently, this looks like waking up and making the bed, brushing my teeth and getting dressed, getting 20-30 min of exercise in, making my coffee, then lighting a candle and meditating for about 10 min.

This routine usually takes me an hour. And it incorporates my mind, body, and spirit allowing me to prioritize my overall well-being. Regardless of what else happens during the day, I’ve set myself up for success with my morning routine.

Does this mean that I’ve now become the QUEEN OF MORNING ROUTINES and that I’ve sworn off my night owl tendencies? Do I practice my routine EVERY SINGLE DAY with JOY and ENTHUSIASM? Do I make sure to NEVER EVER miss a morning?

Ummm… NO WAY!

I’m human and my night owl tendencies will likely never completely go away. I sometimes miss a morning, weekends are usually off the table, and occasionally I forget how important my morning routine is and abandon it completely.

But I always return to it eventually.

Because I know this morning routine is lifegiving and sets the rest of my day up for success.

Depending on how much time you have, adjust your own routine accordingly. Even if you don’t have much time, you can stretch for a few minutes, read for a few more, and then have just a few minutes of quiet time before diving into your day.

Practicing a consistent morning routine (even if you only have 10 minutes!) will set a positive tone for your day.

Begin by asking yourself how you want your morning to FEEL:

1. How can you nurture your mental health and growth? Examples: Reading, journaling, or listening to a podcast.

2. How can you move your body in ways that feel good to your body? Examples: Yoga, walking around the neighborhood, or stretching.

3. In what ways can you nurture your emotional and spiritual well-being? Examples: Meditation, prayer, or listening to music.

I PROMISE, you will reap the rewards if you take the time to intentionally create a morning routine.

3. Write yourself a letter

At some point in your life, did you ever have a teacher require you to write a letter to yourself to be re-read at some point in the future?

Well, surprise! This is a request like that!

It might feel cheesy and over-the-top, but it is SO effective to have this letter available on those days that feel overwhelming. Days when you question your decision to homeschool and feel inadequate in nearly every area of your life.

Because this WILL happen.

In your letter, consider the following questions:

Note: While the following questions are specific to homeschooling, similar questions can be answered for other life circumstances. Any big life decision that at times can lead to overwhelm and self-doubt. So feel free to adjust accordingly!

1. How many years have you been homeschooling?
2. When you think about homeschooling this year, what excites you the most?
3. What excites your children the most?
4. What is your “why” for homeschooling? 
5. Think of ONE simple activity you do that brings you joy.
6. What are THREE acts of daily self-care you currently engage in? (Examples: Drinking your morning coffee or tea, walking your dog, reading a book for pleasure, listening to music.)
7. When you are feeling down, what is ONE thing you do that usually makes you feel a little bit better?
8. Who is the person, or people you turn to for support?

Next, take a little extra time to add anything else that might be on your mind. If you’ve typed your letter, take the time to print it out.

Then fold your letter up and tuck it inside an envelope. Label the envelope, “Read when I’m feeling discouraged about homeschooling” and then tuck the letter away in a safe place. I keep mine in the drawer of my nightstand.

When you find yourself discouraged or exhausted, ill-equipped or resentful, questioning why you ever thought it would be a good idea to homeschool in the first place, I want you to pull out your letter.

Take a deep breath. Open it up. Read the words you wrote way back when.

I’ll bet that this letter you wrote is packed with hope, enthusiasm, and some practical solutions.

And I’ll bet there’s a lot of wisdom in that letter. This letter that YOU wrote to yourself.

PLEASE consider writing yourself a letter. It could end up being exactly what you need to read when the going gets tough.

4. try a new morning beverage

Are you a coffee drinker? Tea?

And if so, what is your preference for a morning beverage?

Why not consider mixing it up a little as we begin a new season!?!

Consider trying a new flavor or brand of your favorite morning beverage!

5. Take a daily multivitamin

If you’re already taking a daily multivitamin and/or supplements, you can ignore this part. But if not, consider what vitamins and nutrients you might be deficient in.

In our modern society and fast-paced culture, it’s common to be lacking in certain areas, so consider at the very least, taking a daily multivitamin.

Taking a daily multivitamin is a simple way to improve your overall health and well-being.

6. try meditation

If you see the word meditation and think, “There’s no way I can take time to sit and meditate each day!” please, just hang with me here for a minute or two.

How would you feel about committing to a meditation practice of 10 minutes a day? This is a wonderful way to get started with meditation.

During these 10 minutes, find a position that is comfortable for you. This might mean you sit in a chair, on the couch, or on the floor Or you might prefer to lie down instead. (Yep, this counts too!)

If you have no idea where to start, consider using a meditation app.

Headspace is a paid app that I use. I love it and have found the cost to be worth it for me. But there are also plenty of FREE meditation apps available.

Insight Timer is a FREE meditation app. I used this before discovering Headspace a few years ago. This is another app I recommend to those just starting out.

Calm is another paid app, and they also offer a free trial. I haven’t used this one myself but I know a handful of people who do, (including my Doctor!) and they all really like it.

Meditation is a simple and effective way to incorporate self-care.

7. Spend time each day doing something that YOU want to do

It’s so easy to get caught up in the “shoulds” and “have to’s” this time of year. Obligations and expectations mean that we’re often frazzled and overextended. It’s easy to let our own interests fly by the wayside.

So ask yourself this question, “What are some activities that I thoroughly enjoy? Things that I WANT to do?”

Catching up with a friend, watching a favorite show, reading, gardening, baking, painting, taking an exercise class… things that you can REALISTICALLY squeeze into your days.

Can you chat with a friend for 20 minutes? Spend a half-hour in the evening watching something you enjoy? Read in bed for a bit? Spend a little time gardening, or baking, or painting? Take an exercise class at your local gym or online?

Brainstorm things of interest to you. Mix it up. But figure out ways you can realistically incorporate these favorite activities into your busy days.

8. Get a candle that smells nice

A lovely way to embrace the fall season while prioritizing self-care is to get a candle that smells nice.

Think about scents specific to fall that you enjoy. What fragrances bring about feelings of warmth and coziness?

Get a candle that smells nice, light it, and enjoy ushering in the fall season.

9. Watch a sunrise or a sunset

Are you a morning person or more of a night owl?

If you are naturally an early riser and love the quiet morning hours, consider waking up to watch the sunrise. There’s something so hopeful as well as grounding about watching the sun come up in the morning.

If you’re more of an evening person or night owl, think about watching a sunset instead. Watching the sun sink below the horizon is a wonderful way to embrace the present moment and connect with nature.

Whether you prefer a sunrise or a sunset, watch one or the other as a way to connect to the present moment and nature.

10. Keep your phone out of reach at night

If you’re anything like me, it is such a struggle to stay away from screens at night!

Why is this so hard!?!

Catching up on social media, checking up on “just one more” email, or texting a friend back are all actions that start out harmless enough but often result in HOURS of wasted time.

10 minutes turns into an hour which ends up in LOTS of time spent on our phones. Instead of reading an actual book or getting to sleep at a decent hour, we stay up way too late staring at our screens.

And don’t even think about using “but I wake up to the alarm on my phone” excuse!

I did this for years.

If this is the case and leaving your phone in another room besides your bedroom isn’t an option, put your phone on the other side of your bedroom where there’s no way for you to reach it unless you get OUT of bed to turn it off. Put it there BEFORE you get into bed and LEAVE it there so you aren’t tempted to get it out before you fall asleep.

While it might be tough at first, it really will enhance your sleep so do your best to keep your phone out of reach at night.

In summary, here are 10 simple fall self-care tips:

1. Get yourself a good planner
2. Develop a morning routine
3. Write yourself a letter
4. Try a new morning beverage
5. Take a daily multivitamin
6. Try meditation
7. Spend time each day doing something that you want to do
8. Get a candle that smells nice
9. Watch a sunrise or sunset
10. Keep your phone out of reach at night

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT SIMPLE SELF-CARE TIPS FOR THE OTHER THREE SEASONS TOO!

• 10 Simple Self-Care Tips for Winter
• 10 Simple Self-Care Tips for Spring
• 10 Simple Self-Care Tips for Summer

Do you have any additional tips to add to these 10 simple fall self-care tips? If so, please share them in the comments below!