The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, and that can only mean one thing; fall is here. With fall comes the adjustment from the relaxation of summer to the hustle and bustle of autumn. As the weather starts to change and our lives become busy and more stressful again, it’s important to keep self-care as a top priority. Keep reading to learn how to best take care of yourself this season.

Daily

Skincare
Start each morning and end every night with a fresh, clean face. The colder temperatures can cause dry skin, so it’s important to cleanse and moisturize your skin every day to keep it healthy and less acne-prone. If you do experience any trouble with acne, consider using a telehealth service to connect you with a dermatologist who can help you clear up any skin insecurities.

Haircare
With the shift in weather, your hair can become susceptible to dandruff or even male-pattern baldness from wearing a beanie to keep your head warm. Take extra care of your hair this fall by adding some additional products into your daily hair care routine, such as a dandruff shampoo to keep your hair flake-free.

Mindfulness
As the cooler weather causes us to stay inside more, it can get quite easy to feel trapped and sometimes lead to a mental health spiral. However, with daily mindfulness practices, you can help prevent this from happening. Take time in the morning before you start your day to find inner peace by meditating, practicing gratitude, or saying positive affirmations in front of your mirror. Beginning each day with a positive mind and open heart will help keep you sane and mentally connected this autumn.

Exercise
It’s recommended that individuals engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day, and it’s within good reason. Endorphins, a chemical that makes you happy, are released when you exercise making working out an instant mood booster. Make yourself feel better each day by planning to move around in a way that you enjoy, whether that’s joining a cycling class, going for a run around your city to enjoy the fall foliage, or hitting up the gym for a high-intensity workout. Find what works for you and make it a priority to have time in your day to get that heart rate up.

Weekly

Relax
Take at least one night a week to indulge in some relaxation. This could include using a hair mask and face mask to keep yourself feeling confident, lighting a few candles, and reading a good book. Self-care nights are often overlooked by men, but they truly are helpful for everyone. This could quickly become your favorite time of the week and you’ll see major improvements in your mood when you slow down and relax.

Express Yourself
Just like how exercising releases endorphins, being creative releases dopamine, which can help reduce stress. For some, being creative may seem daunting but there are many different methods to help you express your creative side. From turning on music and dancing like nobody’s watching to calming your mind with an adult coloring book, there are endless possibilities. Think of what used to bring you joy as a kid and tap into that energy, even if you’re not that great at the activity anymore. This will help you let loose and remember to embrace your creative side.

Connect With Others
During the fall, it can be easy to fall victim to becoming a hermit crab and staying at home. However, with technology, it’s easier than ever to stay connected even if you don’t want to leave your home. Make a plan each week to call up someone you love and have meaningful conversations. If you’re up for it, make plans to meet up with a friend and go for a walk in the park. Keeping close connections alive is a vital part of self-care as feeling close to others is fulfilling and uplifting.

Monthly

Check-In On Your Health
At the beginning of each month, check in on your overall well-being. It’s easy to forget to do this, so set a reminder to consistently make sure you’re feeling okay. Specifically for fall, dating season is in full swing so you’ll want to make sure you’re sexually healthy. Make sure to use protection and be cautious of things like STIs and sexual dysfunctions. You can conveniently visit a medical professional to get tested and solve sexual difficulties like erectile dysfunction with the help of an ED medicine like Cialis. Also, make sure you’re up-to-date with vaccinations, like the flu shot. Consider your mental health as well and seek help from a professional if you’re not feeling like your normal self and need some extra support. Seasonal depression is common during this time of year, so check-in with yourself and be extra kind.

Deep Clean
Now, this may seem like more of a chore than self-care, but if you change your perspective you’ll realize that you deserve a clean living environment. Get into the habit of cleaning your home thoroughly at least once a month to keep your space clutter-free and inspiring. This will do wonders for your mental health as you won’t be stressed about your living environment, especially in the fall as you start to get out your warmer clothes and shoes. The additional clothes that you incorporate into your wardrobe will need more organization since they tend to be bulkier and take up more space.

Take Time To Reflect
At the end of the month, reflect on how things are going in your life and write down how you’re feeling. This will be a helpful habit to get into as you can look back on previous months and see if there are any changes you want to make and craft a plan to do so. It’s important to set intentions and goals for your life and take the time to analyze your progress.