At the very beginning of the year I wrote this post all about making this the year to take care of, you! And I still think this year should be for you (and me), but not just this year…every year. You should be a part of your priority list. I know starting something new, or changing old habits can be tough, life sometimes gets in the way and sometimes things can be darn hard to keep up with. But don’t fret, because each season can feel like a brand new beginning and for some reason fall more than any other. So if you haven’t been super good at taking care of yourself so far this year (as good as you take care of all the other people in your life) why not stop and take a minute to start doing that now, for fall. And hey, maybe these 9 simple ways to do so, will help you make fall the season to take care of yourself!

Hit The Gym – Hit it right in the face! Yes, duhhhh this is the advice that everyone always gives. In general I’m talking about getting active, in any way shape or form that suits you best. Goodlife has an inspiring new campaign that focuses on the effort you make everyday in order to make it to the gym or to live a healthier life, because you should celebrate that you are making it happen. Effort is half the battle and it deserves to be celebrated, do not forget to pat yourself on the back for the act of getting up to get active. Personally I’m 100% focused on yoga as my ‘stay active’ activity, but maybe that looks different for you — often it takes a bit of trial and testing to find something that feels right for your mind and body. So go ahead, start trial and error-ing!

Put Your Phone Down! – During the day it can be a bit hard, trust me I know. But try (try!) to avoid the constant checking, maybe that looks like moving your ‘go to’ apps away from the main screen or deleting them entirely. Whatever it takes, I personally find I’m in a much better mental state when I’m not multi tasking my life with my phone in hand. In the evening when you are winding down to relax, don’t even bring it with you to the couch. Avoid checking in on other people while you are also trying to decompress for the day. For me it makes my mind a buzz and does the opposite of relax me, even though it makes me look all relaxed and zombiefied (right husband?). If that all sounds totally nuts try simply to, instead just keep your phone away from your face for at least an hour to 2 hours before bed. Baby steps.

Just Say No To Sugar – This one is hard, for me its super de-duper hard. I love sugar. No wait, I actually despise sugar. That sh*t owns me if I let it, so I try my best to avoid it in it’s processed form on a regular basis and most everything that metabolizes into sugar after I eat it (bread, you saucy little minx you). I’m not gonna lie, it’s tough to avoid it and my best advice starts with cold turkey (PS. I Quit Sugar, is a fantastic resource). I do a detox once a year and the main reason is to kick sugar (I always start to falter and need an extra butt kick), I find it’s easier if I chop something off and then learn to live without it before I go back to a moderation lifestyle. But maybe you are different? Either way, life for me is 90% better without sugar. Everything from sleep, cravings, aunt flo and my moods are on the awesome side without that white beast.

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Only Wear Clothes You Love – If it doesn’t make you feel good, get rid of it! Sometimes taking care of yourself is as simple as what you choose to wear everyday, it sounds so vain but it can truly change your day and put some pep into your step. I wrote a big long post just the other day over on hellobee all about capsule wardrobes, why the concept is great and how to create one for yourself. It follows the idea of creating a closet that makes you feel good and might be a helpful read if you need a bigger push in this area.

Become a Meal Planner – Ummm, so more work on my plate is supposed to help me how!? It is more work, but it’s worthwhile work, so it’s different. Bear with me for a second, when I plan our household meals I tend to eat much better (we all do). Rather than creating meals based on cravings or convenience, two things that I try to avoid because generally they equal (delicious, yes) but not always the healthiest meals. Basically this is an eat healthy tip, but I gave it to you backwards so it didn’t feel like a lecture (you already have one Mom).

Just Do It! – Not “it”, but that thing you always say you want to try one day. Or that thing you always think you want to learn one day, no more thinking let’s go on and get with the doing. Maybe it’s something simple like, learn a new skill even if you don’t have time you can probably learn it in a small way via an internet course or a book (you can do everything on the internet now, even learn to take better care of yourself). Start somewhere! Or maybe it’s just something you’ve always wanted to do? Or a hobby you wish you had — whatever it is, get your butt moving and do it!

Give Things A Rhyme and Reason – Way to make no sense at all, right? But maybe I can make more sense if you give me a moment, I’ll try. You know all that boring basic stuff you do all day long? A lot of it you probably dread? Dishes, laundry, filling up your tank with gas? Well, a simple and easy way to make it not so horrible would be to find something great about doing the task (whatever it is). Basically find a positive thing or reason about everything, it’s harder than it sounds but it really works to make days better/you feel better. Pretty much its finding intention in the little things, but my other wordy and more confusing explanation is just better don’t you think?

Listen To More Music – When I listen to music, I find it almost always puts me in a good mood. It sometimes helps make whatever task I’m doing that much better. Also it often helps to ensure the tv stays off more often and the phone stays out of my hand (well for the most part).

Give Me, 10 Minutes of Quiet – Most might actually call 10 minutes of quiet, 10 minutes of meditation, but that might also scare most other people. So let’s just call it quiet. Give yourself, some silent time. At some point in your every day. Maybe it’s at the end of a yoga practice (you would be super-duper kind to yourself if this was the case, gold start kindness award), maybe it’s when you first wake up in the morning before anyone else, or maybe it’s the quiet time of washing the dishes after suppertime? Whatever works best for you schedule, giving yourself 10 minutes to live in silence (calm music is cool too) is refreshing and resetting. Like a workout for the brain, to not work it out.

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What do you think? Out of all these 8 things, which one might be extra helpful for you this season? Do you have any simple changes to add?

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