“Wait, hang on. You mean to tell us that summer is over?”
The days of heading to the beach have passed, but there is still plenty to keep you occupied during the Autumn season. PJs and fluffy socks; hot chocolate and Netflix; Halloween and fireworks. The autumn season is full of so many things to look forward to.
While sipping on cocktails on a rooftop terrace is no longer an option without embracing the cold, there’s really no need to mourn the end of summer. Look after yourself throughout autumn, and hey, you never know, it might surpass summer as your fave season.
(We know that statement is a bit of a reach for many…we’re just trying to inject some positive vibes.)
From dancing the night away in a fire glitter dress to levelling up your skincare routine and improving your health, we’ve got seven self-care tips to see you through autumn.
Embrace the outdoors
Temperatures across the UK may drop significantly in October and beyond, but there’s no need to fear the outdoors. Hot girl summer will become hot girl autumn once you add a few extra layers of clothing.
Regular outdoor activities like hiking, picnics, or nature walks will do wonders for your physical and mental health. Embrace the crisp fresh air and admire the colour of the foliage before autumn turns to winter. All you need to aim for is one walk a day for at least 20 minutes.
Not only is this good for increasing your step count, but walking also increases serotonin levels. Protect yourself from those traditional autumn and winter blues.
Adjust your skincare routine
Dry skin is not on the menu this autumn.
Combat the harsh effects of cold weather by upping your skincare game throughout September and October. Harsh wind, cold air, dry indoor heat, and low humidity levels can all zap the moisture from your skin, meaning you need to replenish it.
Climbing into bed without ticking every box in your skincare routine simply won’t fly this season. We need to be prioritising our skin to be feeling and looking our best, especially against the cold. Look for ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide.
Your autumn skincare routine should be unique to you and will depend on your skin type and lifestyle, but here’s roughly what it should look like:
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Serum
- Moisturise
BONUS) Exfoliate two to three times per week. Bye, bye, dry skin!
Improve your diet
Any healthy eating seems to go out of the window when the colder weather arrives. We’ve tearfully kissed goodbye to our bikinis and playsuits, and now our wardrobes are full of hoodies, leggings, scarves, and boots.
That means we can overindulge in hearty meals and an extra slice of pie, right?
Technically, yes. You do you! But we should still be trying to incorporate lots of fruits and veggies into our diet. Not just for the physical benefit but for the mental benefit, too.
Fruits and vegetables can help with the synthesis of serotonin, which can fight depression, anxiety, and stress. Turn those autumn blues into happy autumn rainbows just by enjoying delicious apples, bananas, and cucumbers.
Don’t forget the importance of staying hydrated, too. Most people need around two to three litres of fluids each day to stay hydrated, but active people (ahem, more on that below) need more to replenish the sweat they lose during a workout.
Stay active
In a similar way to the above, staying active usually falls to the bottom of a girl’s list of priorities in September and October.
The dark nights are back, there’s no Ibiza holiday as an incentive, and the unreal Love Island contestants no longer serve as inspiration… we just want to curl up on the sofa and watch Selling Sunset on Netflix.
The truth is, overcoming seasonable lethargy can be a result of exercise. That might not be what you want to hear, but the truth hurts, sis.
Physical activity releases feel-good hormones that give you more energy, as well as improve your mood. If the gym is simply not an option this season, try new indoor activities or exercise routines. YouTube is teeming with home workout videos to suit all interests and fitness levels, from light yoga to intense HIIT.
Create an autumnal home
Let’s face it, being outside during autumn and winter just isn’t as nice as being outside in summer (but it’s still just as important). So, it’s crucial we create a cosy and inviting space to look forward to coming home to.
Incorporate autumnal decorations and scents to help you not only come to terms with the change in season, but to enjoy it, too.
The classic scents of clove, cinnamon, pumpkin and vanilla make for ideal-scented autumnal candles. In terms of décor, experiment with pumpkins, creative arrangements with wheat or sunflowers, and accessories in shades of burnt orange and soft purple.
Prioritise your mental health
SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is a real thing. Lack of sunlight means our serotonin levels dip, which puts us at a higher risk of this specific type of depression. Who knew the change in seasons could have so much power over our mental health!
If you think you suffer from SAD, you’re not alone. In fact, ‘winter depression’ affects one in three people in the UK, with many reporting symptoms that include lethargy and irritability.
This autumn, look after your mental health by experimenting with different stress-reduction techniques. Here are some things to try:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Journaling
- Deep breathing
- Aromatherapy
- Deep breathing
- Mindfulness
- Exercise
Keep social
Autumn is quite often regarded as the season of downtime. Our social calendars are typically popping throughout summer and winter, but less so in autumn.
A good self-care technique to practise throughout September and October is to keep social. Regularly check in with family, make plans with friends, and give yourself plenty of activities to look forward to.
Who said bottomless brunches are better in summer? Get the fake tan on, pop in your heatless curlers, buy a new glitter dress, and hit the town as you usually would. Not only will this help you combat feelings of isolation during the colder months, but it’ll keep you busy until summer arrives once again.
Autumn is to be embraced, not feared
With these self-care tips, we truly be-leaf you’ll continue to thrive throughout autumn. And so you should, bestie! If we spend our entire lives waiting around for summer, we’ll miss out on so many good vibes and good memories.
Embrace the beauty and opportunities that autumn brings, and as a result, you’ll be much happier. We promise.
