50 Autumn Self-Care Ideas To Feel Happy In Fall

“It’s the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!”– Winnie the Pooh Pooh’s Grand Adventure

As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, Autumn can be a beautiful yet heavy season. While the changing leaves and cozy sweaters are delightful, the shift from the carefree warmth of summer to the coolness of the fall season often brings a different energy.

If you’re like me, you might notice yourself feeling more introspective or craving comfort. You might feel an underlying sense of unease, but you’re not sure why.

This transition season can feel like a challenging time for your physical and mental health. Waving goodbye to the long and playful days of summer and wondering how the dark part of the year will play out.

This is especially true for mothers. More time indoors with our kids means a lot more thought about how to keep them entertained without creating a tornado of chaos in every room.

Enter Autumn Self-Care ideas.

Self-care is a big part of what we do here.

Autumn is a great time to realign with yourself, slow down, and embrace the changes both in nature and within.

Self-care during autumn doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, it can be as simple as warming up with a cup of tea in the afternoon, taking a stroll to admire the beauty of Autumn, jumping in the fallen leaves with your kids or reading a good book under a cozy blanket. I’ve found that small, intentional actions can make a world of difference, helping to boost my mood, create a sense of balance and enjoy this season.

As we move through this season, I encourage you to lean into the coziness that autumn offers. Whether you’re looking for ways to feel more grounded, take better care of your body, or simply enjoy a little more peace in your day-to-day life, autumn offers endless opportunities to nourish yourself from the inside out.

In this post, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite autumn self-care ideas to help you embrace this season with warmth, mindfulness, and ease. Don’t let the size of this list put you off. I want something for everyone here. Just pick your favorite ideas and gently sprinkle them through your daily routine.

Let’s dive in to these fall self-care ideas like a child runs towards a gigantic pile of crunchy fallen autumn leaves.

50 Autumn Self-Care Ideas To Feel Happy In Fall

1. Take a nature walk – Breathe in the crisp autumn air and admire the changing leaves.
2. Curl up with a book – Pick a novel you’ve been meaning to read and get lost in it.
3. Enjoy a warm bath – Add essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to relax.
4. Drink seasonal teas – Try spiced chai, apple cinnamon, or pumpkin spice latte (and let me know if you try a recipe which works as mine are always a fail)
5. Start a gratitude journal – Reflect on what you’re thankful for each day. Maybe getting enough sleep now the hectic time of summer is over is a big win for you!
6. Bake seasonal treats – Make pumpkin pie, apple pie, or cinnamon rolls or pumpkin soup.
7. Decorate for fall – Add autumnal touches to your home with a scented candle, decorative pumpkins, and cozy blankets.
8. Take up knitting or crocheting – Create something warm like a scarf or a blanket.
9. Practice yoga – Focus on grounding poses that help you feel connected to the earth.
10. Savor warm soups – Make hearty soups like butternut squash or pumpkin soup.
11. Have a no-screen evening – Unwind with activities like reading, journaling, or meditating.
12. Do a seasonal detox – Nourish your body with warm, nutrient-rich foods.
13. Light fall-scented candles – Scents like cinnamon, clove, and vanilla create a cozy atmosphere.
14. Create an autumn playlist – Find music that complements the season and makes you feel calm.
15. Host a Hygge movie night – Watch your favorite comfort movies with blankets and snacks.
16. Take a day trip to a pumpkin patch – Spend time outdoors and embrace the autumn festivities.
17. Practice deep breathing – Especially on brisk mornings, use deep breaths to stay centered.
18. Buy yourself a Autumn sweater or scarf – Treat yourself to something warm and comforting.
19. Try aromatherapy – Use essential oils like sandalwood or frankincense for relaxation.
20. Enjoy a fireside evening – Whether indoors or outside, a fire can create a calming space.
21. Do an autumn-themed DIY project – Make your own fall wreath or decorate with pressed leaves.
22. Spend time Autumn journaling – Reflect on how the changing season affects your mood and energy.
23. Drink warm apple cider – Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a comforting fall beverage.
24. Carve or paint pumpkins – Get creative and have fun with this fall tradition.
25. Go stargazing – Bundle up and spend a night gazing at the clear autumn sky.
26. Indulge in a new skincare routine – Use hydrating masks to combat the dry autumn air.
27. Meditate outdoors – Find a quiet spot in nature to meditate and connect with the season.
28. Plan a mini-retreat – Take a weekend for yourself to recharge, even if it’s just at home. Think a relaxing bath, hot chocolate, favorite books and your favorite movies.
29. Practice mindful eating – Savor every bite of warm, seasonal foods like roasted vegetables.
30. Send a handwritten letter – Reconnect with a loved one and embrace the slower pace of fall.

Free Autumn Self-Care Ideas

31. Have a digital detox– Give yourself a day, week, month off social media and see how it feels to spend time away from all that.
32. Play in the fallen leaves– Get outside with your kids or yourself and play in those fallen, crunchy leaves!
33. Enjoy an Autumn sunrise-It’s so much easier to catch a sunrise in Autumn and Winter. So pack up a warm drink and get out in the crisp air to watch a sunrise. Pure magic.
34. Take a mindful walk in nature – Practice mindfulness by paying attention to the sounds, smells, and sights of autumn while walking outside. Spending time in nature, whether it’s a woods, lake, city park or canal path is one of the best ways to enjoy Autumn.
35. Create an Autumn mood board – Use magazines, old postcards, or nature clippings to craft a visual board that captures the essence of fall. It’s a creative way to set intentions for the season.
36. Create a cozy reading nook – Rearrange your space to make a cozy spot by a window, or grab a snuggly blanket and pillow to set up a mini retreat where you can read or journal.
37. Try a new fall recipe– Autumn is the best time for cheap, creative cooking. How about trying a new recipe? Root veggies and pumpkins make hearty, simple, cheap meals. I love these Fall Recipes from Jeanine at Love and Lemons.
38. Collect and press leaves – Take a walk in the park or woods and gather vibrant fall leaves. Press them between books to preserve their colors and use them for decoration or journaling. I do this every year with my children to make our own Autumn art.
39. Enjoy a jigsaw puzzle or board game– Those board games and puzzles you have on the shelf and never use. Get them down off that shelf and enjoy some old-fashioned slow entertainment.
40. Create your own journal prompts- Have a go at writing some journal prompts to use for the rest of the year. Or get inspiration from all of my journal prompt posts.

Unique Fall Self-Care Ideas

41. Create a personal autumn ritual – Develop a special fall morning or evening routine just for this season, like lighting a candle at dusk and reflecting on the day with a cup of tea. Little things like this make a big difference to your wellbeing this time of the year.
42. Forest bathing – Try “shinrin-yoku,” or forest bathing. Go for a walk in the woods, immersing yourself fully in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. It’s a great way to reduce your overwhelm and boost your mood.
43. DIY herbal sachets – Gather herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme (or use whatever you have) and make small sachets to place in your drawers, closets, or under your pillow for a comforting autumn scent.
44. Create an autumn vision board – Instead of a traditional vision board, design one that aligns with the feelings of fall. Use autumn colors, quotes, and images that inspire warmth, coziness, and self-reflection.
45. Hold a “letting go” ceremony – Write down things you want to release, like stress, negative habits, or worries, on pieces of paper. Safely burn them in a fire pit or a bowl as a symbolic act of letting go, reflecting the autumnal cycle of shedding.
46. Prepare a seasonal bedtime tea ritual – Design a calming nighttime routine by preparing a special herbal tea blend, such as chamomile, cinnamon, and ginger, to sip before bed while reflecting on the day.
47. Create autumn-inspired art – Whether it’s painting a landscape of the changing trees or crafting with fallen leaves, make autumn your muse. This can be a relaxing way to express your creativity and stay mindful.
48. Make a “realistic” Autumn scavenger hunt – This one is a bit of fun! Make a list of autumnal things that you plan to do (like creating the perfect pumpkin spice latte or buy a giant pumpkin to carve with your kids and end up doing all the work as they don’t like to touch the stringy stuff!) and tick them off.
49. Plant bulbs for spring – Spend some quiet time planting bulbs like tulips or daffodils in your garden. It’s a grounding activity that connects you to nature’s cycles and gives you something to look forward to in spring.
50. Autumn-inspired aromatherapy – Make your own autumn scent diffuser blends using essential oils like cedarwood, clove, orange, or cinnamon. Create a blend that instantly brings you into the cozy, grounded feeling of the season and helps you forget the cooler weather outside the door.

Are you ready to go out and enjoy the new season of Autumn now? There are plenty of ways to nurture yourself in fall with these fall self care ideas.

The change of seasons might feel difficult, but there is still beauty and joy to be found.

Which one are you going to try this Autumn season? Let me know below and tell me exactly why you love that activity and the best things you have tried for Autumn self-care.

Have a wonderful Autumn.

Amanda x

My most popular post this year. How To Hygge On A Budget: Cozy Up Your Home And Life