Along with cool weather and exciting holidays, Fall brings a flurry of busy schedules. Even though it can be more difficult, prioritizing your health and wellness is so important with a hectic schedule. I have compiled a list of effective and realistic tactics for putting wellness first, even when it’s difficult. We’re talking organization, wellness, movement, and self-care, making this the ultimate, versatile plan to thriving in Autumn!
1: Create a fun, 5-minute Fall ritual to bring some joy to your day.
This can look like gratitude journaling, lighting a pumpkin spice candle, making yourself a spiced tea (helllooo chai!), taking a quick walk outside, or turning on Fall-themed music (this can be a traditional playlist that you make or find, or more of an acoustic, vibey playlist!). Make this a non-negotiable part of your day: five minutes of rest, joy, and relaxation.
2: Make your planner fun.
Okay, this might sound crazy, but it can actually be quite effective! Regardless of whether you use a physical or digital planner, you can incorporate highlighters, stickers, doodles, and inspirational quotes into the organization of your tasks. Making your planner fun to look at and interact with is an easy way to experiment with creativity and romanticize your to-do list.
3: Identify your goals.
This is essentially an extension of the previous tip, but take time to determine your daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal goals. Set an intentional plan (can be detailed, or just a quick list of steps) for your monthly and seasonal aspirations. For the daily and weekly goals, simply schedule what needs to be done into your day and/or week.
4: Strengthen your “no” muscle.
A few years ago, I wrote a blog post similar to this one and I emphasized the beauty of saying no. I’m bringing it up again, because it is powerful. It can be easy to overextend yourself during Fall (especially the beginning), so challenge yourself to say “no” to 1 – 2 unessential tasks each week. Use the time you would have used doing the nonessential tasks to practice one of our tactics in this blog!
5: Experiment with Fall recipes!
This is one of my favorite methods for romanticizing this busy, stressful season (and, truthfully, just one of my favorite self-care strategies of all time). We have a lot of fun Fall recipes; I specifically recommend our sweet potato pecan pie and our chilli cheese dog.
6: Practice the “10 minute rule” for movement.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, tired, or simply just not up for movement or exercise, implement the 10 minute rule. Commit to 10 minutes of movement or physical activity and, once the 10 minutes are up, you can decide if you want to continue or not! I really like this rule, because, sometimes, once I get moving, I realize I am craving movement. And, sometimes, I am done after 10 minutes. It’s perfect for striking a balance between listening to your body and challenging yourself.
Fall signals new beginnings, so embrace that this season. What aspects of your life are you looking to change? Where do you want to challenge yourself? Where do you prioritize rest? Ask yourself these questions, and let the answers guide you to pursuing the season that you need.
Hannah Fliess
Hannah is currently pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the University of Florida. Hannah is incredibly passionate about intuitive eating through gentle nutrition. She loves distance running, matcha lattes, and dark chocolate!