November Self Care: 16 Comforting Activities When It’s Chilly
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Last Updated on June 21, 2024
We are getting SO close to the wrap-up of the year. If you’re like most people, things are seriously picking up between holiday gift shopping, family gatherings, and getting things together before next year!
Needless to say, self care is kinda a non-negotiable right now.
And if the cold weather has you feeling extra uncomfy, now’s your opportunity to self-soothe with these November self care activities! Having a few go-to self care activities in the fall/winter that really make you feel good and help you through the season is essential.
Here’s 16 Cozy and Comforting Self Care Plans for November
You ready for a November self care challenge? These ideas are perfect for cozy days at home as well as outdoors.
Don’t lose these November self care ideas! Pin them to come back later!
1. Make a hot cup of your favorite cozy drink
A simple act of self care to kick off these November self care ideas is to make a hot cup of your favorite drink! Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, whatever your heart desires. Warming your body up is a surefire way to feel a little better during these chilly days of November!
2. Take a hot bath
Take the warming up a step further by prepping a hot bath for yourself! And make it extra comfy with bubbles, a face mask, relaxing music, or a good book.
As you take your bath, close your eyes and imagine all of your stresses melting away. Little visualization practices like these really do help!
3. Meditate
If meditation feels awkward or even impossible to you, I suggest finding a really good guided meditation that you can actually focus on and connect with.
Personally, Headspace is my go-to for finding guided meditations I actually like! They are perfect for beginners and have meditations for aaaanything under the sun: focus, sleep, stress, and tons more. Get 14 days of Headspace free with my link here!
And remember: it is TOTALLY normal for your mind to wander during meditation. But the trick is not to get frustrated or judge yourself for it. Just gently nudge your brain back where it needs to be!
4. Dance it out
Getting in movement that actually feels good to you is an ideal way to exercise and let off steam or jitters. Turn up your favorite song, don’t care about how crazy you look, and dance it out!
I might be biased because I train in dance and just love it so much haha, but you do not have to be a classically trained artist to reap the benefits of having a little dance party!
5. Go for a bundled-up walk
I know, I know, getting up and into the great outdoors in sub-optimal temperatures takes a push. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it.
Dress in plenty of layers, don’t forget your gloves and earmuffs, and get that hot girl walk in anyway! You will feel 100 times better when you get back to the warm indoors.
6. Journal to better-plan your self care
For November self care (and beyond!), we’ve gotta cut to the chase. We need a self care routine that really fits into our busy lives. Ya know, one that we can stick to? But making self care a habit is easier said than done, so where do you even start?!
Luckily, I made The Busy Woman’s Self Care Journal to help you answer that.
Think of this journal as your practical self-care partner. No fluff, no frills. It takes you through each step, from A to Z, to help you pinpoint your self-care needs and build a realistic plan.
You’ll dive into your daily hustle, and with this journal, you’ll identify what you need most in each area of your life. From there, you can keep yourself accountable with daily and weekly reflection to see what’s working and what isn’t.
So, wave goodbye to stress and welcome self-care with open arms! Start creating the personalized self-care plan that’s unique to you by grabbing this journal!
7. Try a new craft
There is ENDLESS craft inspiration on Pinterest. Knitting, embroidery, jewelry making, and pottery just to name a few.
Sometimes, igniting your creative spark can bring a little joy into your life when things start to feel mundane. (And learning to knit cozy fall sweaters ain’t a bad idea for November self care!)
RELATED: Ultimate List of Self Care Hobbies – 32 Ideas You’ve Gotta Try
8. Go on a date by yourself
You will absolutely want to add this idea to your November self care calendar! “Dating” yourself can really boost your confidence and learning how to get comfortable spending time alone is a valuable skill.
Spending time alone usually makes room for growth and soul-searching, so getting in that me-time is pretty important. It’s also simply enjoyable to go on a solo coffee or brunch date!
9. Cook your favorite meal
Maybe you aren’t the biggest chef, but cooking a good meal for yourself is a great self care act regardless of your culinary level.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, but most recipes you follow will turn out pretty darn good! I love finding copycat recipes for my favorite restaurant meals so I can recreate them at home.
10. Set a soothing mood with lights, music, etc.
I love using my colored LED lights to set a certain mood while listening to chill vibe music. There are Spotify and YouTube playlists for everything these days, so pick whatever mood you’re trying to create and go for it!
11. Write a gratitude list
The fastest, easiest way to cheer yourself up and get into a good mood is to write down all the things you’re grateful for! You can look at my list of 100 things to love about yourself for a good place to start. I also have a printable gratitude journal with thought provoking gratitude prompts and activities conveniently bundled just for you!
12. Take a scenic drive
Getting a change of scenery helps your mind feel fresh and get you out of your usual surroundings. Find a new little town you never visit or choose your favorite spot to drive to! This is a great way to explore, and a good drive paired with good music can’t be beat.
13. Schedule a therapy appointment
I’ll be honest with you: therapy is the single-most effective self care activity I’ve added to my weekly routine.
In the last year since starting therapy, I’ve seen tremendous improvement in managing my anxiety symptoms and other negative emotions I face. And heck, just having a professional to talk to every week to help me make sense of what’s going on in my life is invaluable.
I always recommend Online Therapy because it’s a comprehensive, effective online therapy toolkit at an affordable monthly cost. You can get 20% off your first month with my link below. Don’t be afraid to make the leap and schedule your appointment, you won’t regret it!
14. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is actually a fairly simple practice. It’s just being fully immersed in the present, being aware of where you are and what you’re doing.
Tune into your five senses and find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
This can help take your mind off anxious thoughts and help you be more present in your everyday life!
RELATED: 60 Thanksgiving Journal Prompts for Adults to Celebrate Blessings
15. Prepare one thing for next month
Your future self will thank you for this November self care activity! Thinking ahead to next month, identify just one thing you can take care of now to lighten your load for December.
Buying one Christmas gift for someone on your list is something that comes to mind. Or getting ahead on something in your professional life can be a big help too.
16. Let things go
Ah, sometimes the hardest task of all: learning to let go. If you frequently ruminate over the past or feel the need to control many things, this lesson can be a tough one.
While it can be overwhelming to practice letting go in all areas of your life across the board, think of just one area in which you can work on letting go.
You might be tempted to give 110% in every area of your life, but sometimes it’s not realistic to give 110% to everything all of the time. See where you can take a step back and give yourself a little leniency.
Pro tip: If you’re juggling a ton of tasks, struggling to keep your life organized, AND trying to stay on track with your goals…don’t try to manage your schedule by yourself!
You need to make sure you’re optimizing your time in the best way possible. But what even is “the best way possible”?
Well, you don’t need to waste time figuring that out when the Motion app can literally do it for you.
If you’re sick of feeling like there just aren’t enough hours in the day, Motion can fix that by:
- Automated scheduling that plans your day for you – this app knows exactly how to schedule your daily tasks FOR YOU, in a way that’s most productive for you and your lifestyle.
- Handling emergencies – Motion rearranges everything automatically so that urgent pop-up tasks don’t screw up your day…or your sanity!
- Being a game-changer for ADHD – anyone with ADHD knows the agony of identifying what to prioritize. Motion takes the guesswork out of time management, so you know exactly what to do next!
Motion is the game-changer your schedule has been begging for, so why not give it a shot and lighten your load?
Go-to Self Care Products You’ll Love
To make the most of your November self care, I highly suggest checking out these products that I love for my own self care practice! While there are many valuable free tools and activities out there, investing in products that help you even further is always worthwhile.
RELATED: 25 Mental Health Gift Basket Ideas Your Stressed Friends Will Love
1. The Busy Woman’s Self Care Journal
Life too hectic for self care? Not with The Busy Woman’s Self Care Journal!
Made by a busy woman, for busy women, the goal of this journal is simple: to make an effective self care plan that works for your unique needs. No matter how crazy life gets!
Get step-by-step guidance to create your personalized self care plan by…
2. TheraBox
If you appreciate variety in your self care routine, you will love what you get in the TheraBox Self Care subscription box! This is a monthly or one-time gift box filled with a variety of self care products to help you take care of you. Each box comes with a research-based therapeutic activity and 6-8 self care goodies designed to decrease stress and help you feel your best.
3. Glossier – The Super Skincare Pack
Skincare can get SO complicated. Cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers…there are just so many different product options, it feels impossible to keep up with what to buy! But Glossier makes it simple. The Super Skincare Pack by Glossier is a full daily skincare routine that has everything you need, no matter your skin type.
It comes with three daily, vitamin-packed serums that deliver hydration, more even tone, and clarity.
What Is Self Care?
Self care is taking the time to do things that help you improve your mental and physical health to, overall, live well! It’s fairly simple, but the possibilities are so open-ended to fit your specific needs.
Self care can be so different from person to person and even month to month. For example, if you’re going through a low-energy season, you might need gentle self care that prioritizes rest (November wellness ideas like the ones in this post can help!). Self care is meant to be intentional and beneficial to your overall state of wellbeing.
Why are Self Care Activities Important?
Self care is essential not only for your overall health, but even your quality of life. Whether or not you practice self care can affect the way you think, feel, and react to stress in your life.
Aaaand, what’s so amazing about self care activities is that they can help you in a variety of different ways.
For example, self care activities can be productive, like catching up on tasks that will prevent overwhelm later on. Or they can be soothing, like taking a nap or listening to relaxing music. Tailoring your self care activities to what you need the most at any given moment will make them most effective!
How November Self Care Can Benefit Your Well-being
November is the type of month that truly invites you to slow down. Of course you want to be practicing self care all year long, but there are some special ways you can hone in on self care during this time of year.
- Stress reduction – enough said! Who couldn’t use less stress in their life? From Christmas shopping, to decorating, to planning family gatherings, now is your sign to take a break more than ever.
- Helps manage Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – many people are affected by what’s otherwise known as seasonal depression, which is triggered by changes in seasons. If you’re one of those people, it’s especially crucial for you to partake in mood-boosting activities like exercise, time outdoors, and light therapy.
- Better relationships – think about it: more “me-time” will help you rest and recharge alone, allowing you to give your best self to others. You’ll be in a much better emotional head space when connecting with friends, family, and loved ones.
RELATED: 70 Journal Prompts for ALL Your Relationships
Self Care Ideas
The November self care ideas in this post range from chill and comforting to active and energizing. Consider your needs during this month and choose the self care ideas that will support you best!
If your weeks are busy, choose simple activities for weekdays. If you have more time on the weekends, that may be an opportunity to really work on yourself through more effortful tasks, like journaling or going to therapy.
November Self Care Tips for Your Wellness
With holiday cheer just around the corner, things are getting exciting. But it’s also okay to feel overwhelmed with all the hustle and bustle! Keep these November self care tips in mind this month:
- Romanticize the cozy vibes – instead of letting cold dreary days leave you feeling sluggish, indulge in all things cozy. Have slow mornings, bundle up in a plush blanket, sip on warm soothing drinks, or anything else that makes you feel good!
- Practice mindfulness every chance you get – preparing for the holidays can make things busy! This is why it’s especially important to check in with yourself and ground yourself in the present. Taking a pause to become aware of what’s in front of you can really help.
- Don’t neglect “me time” – no matter how busy life gets, you always deserve some me-time! (in fact, it’s a must for your mental health!) Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, these healthy breaks for yourself can help you reset your mind.
So please, take a breather, prioritize yourself even amongst all the holiday chaos, and embrace the cozy comforts this month has to offer.
Click to finally create the self care plan that’s personalized to YOU!
Final Thoughts on November Self Care
November is when things start to get real cold and the need for a cozy self care routine intensifies! Grab at least a few ideas from this November self care list to add to your weekly self care routine and make sure you stay on top of your mental health maintenance this fall/winter.
Let me know in the comments: Which November self care idea are you most excited to try?!
More Self Care Activities You’ll Love
30 Day Winter Self Care Challenge to Beat the Winter Blues
40 Thanksgiving Affirmations That Will Overwhelm You With Joy
16 Thanksgiving Self Care Ideas to Manage the Holiday Chaos
35 Fall Self Care Ideas to Stay Cozy and Happy
30 Days of November Affirmations for a Daily Dose of Positivity
LIKE THESE NOVEMBER SELF CARE IDEAS? PIN THEM FOR LATER!
