How to Embrace a Cozier, Slower Season (Without Feeling Like You’re Falling Behind)

autumn self care best self care calm fall self care guilt free self care peace self care ideas self care practices self-care Oct 28, 2025

The season as shifted, and (we assume) you can noticed some subtle changes all around you—the air turns crisp, the days grow shorter, and the pace of life seems to naturally soften. The hustle commonly slows down as new routines are put in place and we almost go into a sense of mild hibernation.

For many of us, that transition can feel like a welcome exhale… but also a challenge. We’ve spent months moving fast, crossing things off lists, and staying busy. When everything starts to slow down, it can feel unfamiliar—almost like we’re supposed to keep up instead of letting ourselves rest.

At IOME, we believe that this time of year is more than just a change in weather. It’s an invitation to align with a new rhythm—a cozier, slower season that nourishes your mind, body, and soul.

Here’s how we like to lean into it, and we invite you to do the same thing.

Listen to the Season’s Invitation

Nature has a beautiful way of modeling what balance looks like. Trees release what no longer serves them. The days shorten so the nights can rest.

Our lives could use a little of that too.

Instead of pushing through this seasonal shift, try mirroring what’s happening around you. Maybe that means waking up a little slower, spending more time in the quiet, or giving yourself permission to do less.

This might sound simple, but it’s one of the most powerful forms of self-care—honoring the rhythm your body and spirit are asking for.

Create Spaces That Feel Cozy and Grounded

You don’t need a full home makeover to create calm. Sometimes all it takes is intention.

We love simple touches that make a space feel warm and inviting:

A soft lamp instead of harsh overhead light (or change bulbs to red lights)
A nice, warm, soft blanket draped over your chair
The familiar scent of a candle burning or essential oils as you unwind
Relaxing, soft music or sound scapes playing to ease into a more peaceful state

Your environment can gently remind you to slow down. Whether it’s your morning coffee corner or your evening reading spot, find those small spaces that help you breathe deeper and soften into the moment.

Turn Rest into a Ritual

In our fast-paced world, rest often feels like something we have to earn. But in this season, we invite you to treat rest as something sacred, something you practice. Meaning it's something you do often (schedule it if you have to), with intention, and consistently.

That might mean making a slow dinner, journaling before bed, taking a short walk without your phone, or saying no to things that fill your calendar. The best “no” to something else will make saying “yes” to yourself that much easier.

When you give rest a place in your daily rhythm, it stops feeling like a reward and starts feeling like a need being met.

Nourish Yourself the Way the Season Does

As the days get cooler, comfort food and warm drinks feel extra special—and there’s science behind that. Warm, nourishing meals help ground your body, while the ritual of cooking or sipping tea brings you back into the present moment. Say hi to being more mindful just by doing simple things that nourish your body; it's a win win.

We often suggest choosing one small “cozy nourishment” each day:

A bowl of soup that simmers while you slow down
Herbal tea that warms your hands and your mood
A baked treat that fills your home with comfort

These little things matter—they tell your body it’s safe to rest. So, note how some of these small actins can change how you feel about rest. Do you feel less anxious and more grounded? Maybe less worried and more peaceful? Do you actually feel rested after a short nap or pause?

Let Go of the Pressure to Keep Up

It’s easy to feel like the world doesn’t slow down just because we do. Emails, schedules, and expectations keep moving, but you can choose to step aside from the rush, even briefly. Tasks and to-do lists may feel like they are pulling you out of your peaceful state, and we want to remind you that it's okay and normal. Life doesn't stop when we feel tired or like we need to rest, we just have to be willing to put boundaries in place to support ourselves and not feel the insurmountable pressure to keep pushing on.

Maybe this week, that looks like leaving work on time, declining one commitment, or spending an evening offline. The goal isn’t to do less just for the sake of it—it’s to make space for what truly restores you.

Your Cozy Season Promise

If you need a reminder to slow down, let this be it.

You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to fill every quiet space. You can let the season do what it’s meant to—soften, restore, and remind you that slowing down can be just as meaningful as moving forward.

Warm up in an infrared sauna, cozy up with red light therapy, or bring another level of peace and stillness with LENS Neurofeedback and therapy. IOME is here to help you provide the best self-care for you through every season. Contact us for a free consultation to help you slow down.