The Cozy Cure: Fall Rituals That Can Boost Your Mental Wellness

The summer months were made to be fast paced. Travelling the world, day trips to the beach, hanging out with friends every single day; time never stops moving from May to September.

But once the leaves start turning brown and you see a PSL in every girl’s hand around campus, you know it’s finally time to chill out.

The last four months of the year have always been my favorite. I love the holidays, the weather, the outfits, and the cozy vibe you get when the first breeze creeps onto campus. My favorite part about the fall is the little things that I do that help my mental wellness during an otherwise stressful season.

Movie Nights

I LOVE fall and winter movies. Grabbing a blanket and some snacks and watching Halloweentown, Twitches, Coraline, The Night Before Christmas, and so many more amazing movies is my ideal fall evening. There’s just something about the nostalgic and warm feeling they bring.

I’m also a horror fan. Most of my friends aren’t really into horror movies, but I could watch them all day every day. The thrill of not knowing what’s about to happen and jumping a little every time the main character turns a corner really gets me in the Halloween spirit.

Movie nights are great for college students and their mental wellness because they offer a break from classes, work, activities, and even social interaction. Sometimes we just need to be by ourselves and mindlessly watch another story play out. Next time you are feeling overwhelmed this season, turn on your favorite fall flick and just relax.

Enjoying The Weather

The weather in the fall is refreshing. You step outside and feel the slightest breeze on a 65-degree day as you watch brown leaves float off the trees. Taking walks, having picnics, or just sitting with friends is such a good mental cleanser on these days. Enjoy the weather while you can before it gets too cold to stand for more than twenty minutes.

I enjoy driving in the fall. It sounds odd, but rolling down the windows and taking in the fresh, crisp air with a pumpkin-scented car freshener getting dragged by the wind is one of my favorite ways to clear my head. The weather in the fall just seems cleaner and more relaxing, making it a great way to boost mental wellness.

Decorating My Space

From pumpkins and candles in September to a tree and garland in December, decorating for the fall and winter months is a perfect way to boost mental wellness. Taking an hour to perfect the look of your fall decor can take your mind off classes, work, and the other things filling the gaps in your schedule.

For fall, put out pumpkins, skeletons, candles, and anything you can find that’s brown! Walking into a clean space that practically screams at you to grab a blanket and get cozy can be a great way to unwind after a long college day. And you can’t forget about Christmas! My tree goes up when the clock strikes midnight on November 1st, but not everyone is as eager to welcome in the elves and reindeer. Whenever you like, hang garland, fill the tree with ornaments, and start baking those cookies for Santa!

Fall Activities

If you aren’t into staying in and curling up on the couch, there are so many fall activities to enjoy with your friends that can boost your mental wellness. Pumpkin patches, carving and painting silly faces on the pumpkins you pick, corn mazes, and haunted houses are all great ways to take your mind off any stress.

Like I mentioned earlier, I like to relax on the edge of my seat. I try to do some kind of haunted house every year, and I always find it more fun than the last. My dad and I share our love for horror, so in October you’ll usually find me clinging onto his arm in a dark hallway, not knowing when the next character will jump out at us. At the very least, it gives me something different to worry about for the night.

The fall is a stressful time for most college students as it brings a new semester, new activities, and still no way of balancing everything. Next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take advantage of the season and try out one of these cozy fall rituals to clear your head of stress and boost your mental wellness.

Be Well, Auburn.