Ready for a Fall Reset? Here’s How to Refresh Your Self-Care Routine For The Season
It’s fall, ya’ll, and while you’re prepping your closet for sweater weather and boot season, this is a great time to reset your daily routine. Whether that means improving your eating habits, getting more rest or making more time for yourself, these simple self-care tips can give you a fall reset before winter arrives.
Add Seasonal Foods to Your Rotation
Fall is harvest season, and it offers nutrient-rich foods that can energize your self-care routine. Seasonal favorites like sweet potatoes aren’t just delicious in Grandma’s holiday pie recipe. Just one cup of baked sweet potato is packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and potassium, according to Healthline.
And don’t forget other fall staples like Brussels sprouts and cabbage. They are nutritious and taste great roasted or air-fried with seasoning and olive oil.
Move Your Body
Moving your body during colder months can help combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), boost your mood and fight off seasonal germs.
Try a brisk walk or a bike ride. When the elements no longer cooperate, switch to an indoor option, like an online fitness class. Even household chores like vacuuming can help you reach physical activity goals.
Give Your Brain Something New to Do
Keep your mind engaged by stepping outside your usual routine. Buy a new puzzle, learn a few phrases in another language or explore a subject you’re curious about. You don’t have to master anything, but making room for curiosity can be a fun way to start the new season.
Make Sleep a Priority
As routines pick up, prioritizing sleep can easily fall by the wayside, but make sure getting enough rest is on your to-do list. When you’re sleep-deprived, it can affect your cognition and increase your risk for conditions like obesity and diabetes, according to Healthline.
Prepare for the Time Change
Before you turn back your clock, make sure you get your sleep routine together. If you’re surviving on coffee now, you’re on track for pure exhaustion on Nov. 1.
Gradually shift your bedtime and wake-up times until you reach your ideal sleep schedule. Stop TV binging, doomscrolling and computer use two hours before bed to ensure a good night’s sleep. TikTokker Christine Nwoha, MD, also suggests paying attention to your sleep cycles and having a “wind-down ritual.” Start now so that lost hour doesn’t hit as hard.
Drink That Water
It’s easy to slack off on water intake when the weather cools, but hydration is still important. Sip water throughout the day, and try adding fall fruits like pears or apples for boredom-busting flavor.
Water-rich veggies like cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini and spinach can also contribute to your fluid intake.
Get Lost in a Good Book
Fall is the perfect time to make room for a little reading time. Pick up that novel you’ve been meaning to start or stretch your perspective with a personal growth book. Reading just a few pages before bed can give you a welcome break from the reality of a hectic day.
Get Ahead of Flu Season
@drbrowne_ Here is how you can stay safe from the flu.
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More than 40 percent of Black Americans prepare for flu season by getting the annual flu vaccine. However, reducing your risk also means taking everyday steps like washing your hands, eating well and staying home when you’re sick to limit the spread of germs.
Prioritize Gut Health
When you work toward overall wellness, don’t overlook gut health. About 70 to 80 percent of your immune cells are in your digestive tract, where gut microbes also influence immune function.
Support those beneficial microbes with prebiotic-rich garlic and onions in proteins, soups and roasted dishes, and add yogurt with live cultures to breakfast or snacks.
Use a Humidifier
Once you turn up the heat, the air inside your home can get pretty dry, with dust, mold and pet dander circulating through your vents and aggravating allergies. The Cleveland Clinic recommends using a humidifier to restore moisture to your mucous membranes.
Get Stress Under Control
As fall routines pick up, stress can increase cortisol. According to the Mayo Clinic, surges of this stress hormone can change your body’s immune system response. Protect your well-being by slowing down, even if it’s only for five minutes a day. Try deep breathing, listening to music or drinking calming tea. A brief daily break can be just what you need to reset.
