7 Self-Care Tips for Fall...and Every Other Season


by Adrienne Macintosh, Editor, Harlequin Heartwarming

As the carefree days of summer wind down and we find ourselves facing some of the busiest months of the year, I thought I’d share some of my go-to strategies for self-care and dealing with stress. Self-care has become a bit of a buzz word lately, and all that hoopla can sometimes make it sound less accessible for us regular humans. But it can be really simple—and really helpful.

1.) Take a Breath
It seems silly, reminding yourself to breathe, but try it. Stop whatever you’re doing for a moment and take a long, deep breath. It’s amazing what that simple action can do for your body and mind.
2.) Take a Break
Experts say you should get up from your desk and move around at least once an hour. This can be hard to do for an author in the writing zone, or for an editor who’s just gotten into an editing rhythm. But getting up out of your seat will help clear your mind and jog ideas.
3.) Take a Walk
If you’re feeling stressed or just in a bit of a brain fog, grab your sneakers and head outside. The crisper, clearer air of fall is the perfect weather for a stroll. The exercise will energize you and can help you work through a problem. If you tend to brainstorm on your walks, however, you may want to record your thoughts, or bring a pad of paper so you can write down your ideas before you forget them. And take it from me, you will forget!
4.) Take it Offline
This can be hard for authors and editors, too, because it’s part of our job to be online. But there’s also a lot of negative crap out there and going dark can remind you that you don’t have to own that negativity. And if you’re going through your own rough times, it can help to talk to someone one-on-one.
5.) Take Time
Time can feel like a luxury in this fast-paced age—there never seems to be enough of it to get through your to-do list. So prioritize yourself. Block off some time for your favorite activity. Treat yourself to a small luxury. The laundry will still be there.
6.) Take Your Zzzzs
Go to sleep! Sleeping is amazing, and it’s good for you. Most North Americans don’t get enough sleep. And most of the time it’s because we’re watching movies or shows we’ve already seen! You will be more productive, less cranky, eat better and live longer. Ok, I can’t guarantee that last one, but trust me, this is good advice.

7.) Take it Easy
And I don’t mean throw all of your responsibilities away and live on a beach in the Maldives (at least not before you send your editor that second draft 😉). What I mean is, try not to be too hard on yourself. Don’t aim for perfection, or to be Superwoman. Just be you. Because you’re ok. It’s going to be ok.

Those are my self-care go-tos. What are yours? 

Comments

  1. Hi Adrienne. Was really great to meet you in Denver :) Good advice here. And not for just when we're sitting at desk. I like taking a break and getting away for a bit when I've had a stressful day running around, too. The dog likes the walks, too!

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    1. Great to meet you, too! Dogs can be great stress busters. And they're so cute!

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  2. Hi, Adrienne. I especially like "Take time." Not an easy thing, but so necessary!

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  3. Hi Adrienne, so good to meet you in Denver. That was a nice break even with the hectic workshops. You've listed some really great ideas. I like a walk to clear my head. I should sleep more and better, but have always had insomnia. I know it's important, though.

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    1. I enjoyed meeting you, too, Roz! I'm partial to walks myself. Good for your mind and your body!

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  4. Hi, Adrienne. I'm agreeing with everyone here...Denver was terrific with you and all the Heartwarming "gang". I can't live without the walking and the sleeping. I'm nearly co-dependent on my essential oils to de-stress. I have a diffuser at work and at home. Plus a travel one! (Told ya) I have to admit, getting up from the computer when I'm writing is nearly impossible to do every hour. But I'm working on it. The breathing thing is vastly important and I don't do it often enough. Super post. We need these reminders!

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    1. Thanks, Catherine! Essential oils are a good tip, too!

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  5. Due to my 'Squirrel!' gene, I've no problem getting up from my desk once an hour. I also keep (mostly) to a routine where I write 500 words or edit a scene, and then do 50--pushups, lunges, burpees, whatever. My daughter takes me on regular walks, too. I love to sleep but my subconscious likes to wake me up at 3 am to harp on problems I can do absolutely nothing about! Thanks for the reminders about clean, wholesome living, Adrienne!

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    1. That's a great routine! And it's nice to have a walking buddy. Thanks for commenting!

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  6. Thanks for all the good tips--and the John Hamm pix, along with our old friends Harry and Sally. Love those city park walks, for real, not just on screen! Sometimes we really do have to remember to take a deep breath. Hope to meet you at National next year!

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    1. Yes, love John Hamm ;). Hope to meet you too, Virginia!

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  7. Light a candle. Bring some fresh flowers into your space. Both have helped me to shift into a better creative place. Yes, I'm still aiming toward productivity, and I think that is okay. :) Self care can include finding ways to meet deadlines while not feeling so pressured. Getting the work done well and on time is my best stress reliever.

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    1. Those are some great ideas, Cathy! And I agree that it's always a nice feeling when you meet a deadline!

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  8. Love your tips! I have an app on my watch that reminds me to breathe a couple of times a day. lol. But it really helps to clear my head to stop and deep breathe.

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    1. There are some fabulous apps out there for this kind of thing. That sounds like a good one. I'll have to find it in the app store... Thanks for reading the post!

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  9. Hi, Adrienne! Loved talking with you in Denver. From the other comments, sounds like you were really busy there. My favorite de-stressing thing is the treadmill. I brainstorm there and have rarely failed to find a solution to a plot problem while I walk (but I have lost some thoughts I couldn't write down). I've promised myself a pedicure and haircut next week. I'm so ready for those treats. I promise not to take off for the Maldives until you get my manuscript, though! Thanks for a great post.

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    1. You can head off to the Maldives as long as I get to follow you there ;). Enjoy your haircut and pedicure! Those sound like nice treats to yourself.

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    2. Of course you can come! Wouldn’t that be fun.

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    3. That would be fun! Next time I'm in your neck of the woods, we'll set it up ;)

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  10. Great tips. Always good to have a reminder to take care of ourselves. I'll have to do more walking.

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    1. Thanks, Beth! It is important to take care of yourself. Thanks for posting!

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  11. I love this advice. I especially need to remember to get up and move every so often. It seems like the older I get, the harder it is to move after I've been sitting a while.

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    1. :) That's so true! But I find it gets easier once you get into the habit of it. Good luck!

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  12. Great reminders Adrienne! For no apparent reason, I often have the urge to tackle domesic chores or bake cookies as breaks from stress or from sitting too long at the computer.

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    1. Those are good stress relievers, Janice. And very productive. There's a woman in the office who bakes when she's stressed. It may not be fun for her but we love it!

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  13. Good tips. Another one that I try to pay attention to is to drink enough water. I once read an article that said in the U.S., at least, there were two major challenges to health--not getting enough sleep and not drinking enough water.

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    1. Yes, that's another good one! I definitely have to work on drinking more water.

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  14. These are great, practical tips. I’m going to try to remember them.

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! And thank for reading my post!

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  15. Such good advice, Adrienne! Thank you for sharing it with us today! I use a timer when I work, to remind myself to get out of my seat and move. I usually set it for every 30 minutes, which I really don't like because I'd prefer to sit and work for hours. But I also don't want the health problems that can come with sitting for too long!

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    1. Good idea! My timer is my toddler. She always seems to know when I've just sat down, LOL!

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  16. I like the take it off-line, both my jobs have me in front of the computer. Ack.
    Great meeting you in Denver. Next time, we need to have coffee or something :)

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    1. For sure, Pamela! I'd like that, too.

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  17. I'm learning to take it off line, since getting internet can be sketchy on the canals we're going through on the boat. I can't always take a walk either, what with the limited size of the boat and the fact that we have our mast now horizontal on the cabin top making moving to the bow a whole new challenge. But this is definitely a break. Hoping it charges up the creative juices!

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