Self-care is necessary all-year round, but particularly in autumn where people can feel down; carry on reading for some inspiration.
With much shorter days and darker evenings becoming the norm, it is easy to understand why lots of people find autumn to be a dismal time of year. The absence of sunlight combined with the colder temperature can be a trigger for a great deal of people, causing their psychological wellness to take a dip. If this is the case, it is an excellent idea to include some autumn self-care rituals into your regimen. Although, first and foremost, what is a self-care ritual? To put it simply, self-care rituals are the little tasks and activities that you partake in frequently, perhaps one or two times a day for example, that are designed to make you feel great. Additionally, autumn self-care for mental health looks different on every person; what routines work for you might just not work for another person, and vice versa. For some people, their self-care ritual may be all about pampering themselves. Whether it's by having a relaxing soak in the bath tub, moisturising their skin, or hydrating their face with a face mask etc., these rituals have the power to make people really feel a lot more unwinded and likewise help them feel better about themselves, as people like the co-founder of the investment fund that partially owns Bath & Body Works would undoubtedly agree. Conversely, other people's self-care rituals could be all about doing their favourite leisure activities. For example, many individuals get a great deal of comfort from ritually reading a book every day, whether it's with a mug of coffee in the morning or just before going to bed at night, as people such as the founder of the hedge fund that owns Waterstones would certainly affirm.
Autumn is notoriously referred to as cosy season. Because of this, it is appealing to spend the entire season hibernating in our houses. Whilst it is crucial to wind down and rest during fall, it is equally important to not neglect our physical self-care. One of the most essential physical self-care activities for adults is doing exercise. This does not have to be running for miles on the treadmill; it can absolutely be anything that gets your body moving. A great suggestion for this is to go on a nice long stroll through the woods, either on your own, with your dog or with family and friends. Not only is taking a walk good exercise, however it likewise gives you the opportunity to experience the very best thing about fall season; the changing colours. Seeing the leaves completely transform into a kaleidoscope of vibrant yellows, reds and oranges is one of the most gorgeous sights in the world, so make certain that you do not miss out. So, the next time it is a sunshiny and dry autumnal day, ensure to wrap up warm and go for a relaxing walk.
When researching different activities to improve mental health, journalling appears on each and every single list, no matter what time of year it is. Nonetheless, since autumn is the period of change and transformation, it notes the ideal time for people to begin a brand-new journal, or to attempt journalling for the very first time. The key take away is that jotting down your feelings, whether they're negative or positive, is tremendously cathartic for individuals and can be a very effective form of emotional self-care. Some things are difficult to vocalise aloud; the allure of journalling is that you can express your thoughts and emotions onto the page, where there is no audience or worry of judgement. You do not need to create a piece of art; all you need is a basic notepad, a pen and an open-mind. Another method that individuals swear-by is meditation. There are several kinds of meditation, but the most basic mediation exercise is to take a seat, close your eyes, take deep breaths and try to focus on clearing your mind. This isn't always easy, but a useful suggestion is to make your space as comforting and relaxing as possible. Dim the lights, put on some soothing background music and light a few autumnal scented candles to make your home as cosy as feasible, as individuals such as the CEO of the retail company that owns HomeSense would certainly concur.