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After a summer full of sunshine, three-day holiday weekends and shortened work hours, we need some self-care ideas to help us get back into our autumn morning routine. As the days get shorter and your pile of work emails gets larger, you're going to need to get creative about your “me" time. To keep yourself from getting down during these shorter days, here's a list of 10 seasonal self-care ideas that will get you through early sunsets and preparing all those weeknight dinners. Oh, but (totally just to ease the transition) feel free to keep wearing your summer clothes under your flannel.
1. Go For A Walk And Find A Pile Of Leaves To Jump In
Who says you can't go out and play just because you're an adult? Let yourself feel like a kid again — and actually, it'll feel even better than that, because for you, fall doesn't mean going back to school.
2. Make A Meal Out Of Fall Vegetables
You're always meaning to get more veggies into your diet, and fall is a perfect time. Squash (acorn and butternut), cauliflower, sweet potatoes, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are all at their best during fall. Even if all you make is this Pumpkin Curry, we'll count it.
3. Buy Your Fave Halloween Treats
Okay, yes, we were just talking about vegetables. But this is the only time of year for candy corn and Reese's pumpkins. You can't pass that up! Make some Monster Eye-Scream Cookies or stock up on your absolute favorite Halloween candy. Everyone needs an emergency candy stash.
4. Treat Yourself To Some New Clothes
One of the best things about fall is that chilly temps = sweater weather. If your pullovers are looking more pill-y than cozy, treat yo'self to a few new autumn staples.
5. Take A Weekend Trip
To us, fall always seems like the perfect time to book a B and B. But maybe that's just because we're obsessed with Gilmore Girls, and Stars Hollow is pretty much permanently stuck in fall. Speaking of which…
6. Binge-Watch Your Comfort Show
Gilmore Girls is definitely one of our favorite binge watches, but there are so many streaming services now that there's a show for everyone, from the streets of Manhattan in Gossip Girl to the half-summer, half-fall backdrop of Outer Banks. Grab an extra slice of pie and catch up with your favorite TV BFFs.
7. Re-Read Your Favorite Book
Cozy up with some tea and fuzzy socks and break open your go-to read. Whether you always go for the classics or you check out BookTok every other day, you can't go wrong with a good story.
8. Sleep For Seven To Nine Hours
Take advantage of that extra hour from the daylight savings time switch and catch up on your sleep. Go all out with a luxurious night routine that includes clean sheets, a hot shower, and a face mask. Heaven.
9. Carve A Pumpkin Or Decorate Some Gourds
Working with your hands and getting creative are two great ways to stimulate your mind, de-stress and appreciate how crafty you are. Combine them in true fall fashion and invite one or two friends over for a festive DIY pumpkin carving afternoon.
10. Jump Into Your Favorite YouTube Or Indoor Workout Class
You probably cut back on your gym visits and spin classes during the summer months in favor of working out in the beautiful sunny weather (plus your budget loved it), but rain, wind and chillier weather is back. Resist the temptation to go into full couch potato mode and treat yourself to your favorite workout app or YouTube class.
If you're looking for some new self-care ideas, subscribe to our email newsletter and sign up for some B+C classes to feed your creativity!
This post has been updated.
