What Philosophy Can Teach You About Living Well with Chronic Illness
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I know talking about cozy fall activities with chronic illness may seem like a luxury when you’re facing so many more pressing problems. And in a way it is, but it is not shallow.
You see, it’s totally normal to be bored from time to time, and that restless feeling can even be a catalyst for change, exploration and new discoveries. But the boredom you feel when you’re sick at home by yourself, dealing with physical symptoms and difficult emotions every day, that can be mind-numbing and even soul-crushing. More than that, it hurts to feel time passing by and you not being able to join in and do the things you love.
Fun, seasonal activities can give you a sense of belonging to something that’s bigger than your small world, add some meaning to your life and support your overall emotional wellbeing.
What’s more, keeping yourself entertained can literally take your mind off your pain and lower your stress levels, which both have a significantly positive impact on your health and happiness.
But when you’re in the midst of a flare-up or health crisis, you don’t always have enough brainpower left to come up with relaxation strategies that could help you. That’s why I’ve rounded up some accessible, low-energy fun things to do that could add a touch of joy and magic to your autumn days, despite your chronic illness.
Not every idea on this list will be possible for everybody, but hopefully these cozy fall activities will give you enough inspiration to adapt them to your personal needs.
19 Cozy Fall Activities for Chronic Illness Self-Care
1. Treat yourself to a warming autumn drink. Of course a healthy pumpkin spice latte and chai tea latte are classic fall favorites, but you could also start your morning with a cup of golden milk, curl up on the couch with some warm cinnamon milk or ring in the weekend with a hot spiced apple cider.
2. Read a cozy mystery. Snuggle up under a blanket and bring out your inner detective with The Thursday Murder Club series, do your own investigating with Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers or identify the real killer before it’s too late in The Maid. You could even track your fall reading in this No-Pressure Book journal.
3. Soak up the crisp fall air in an accessible way. There’s something magical about the fall foliage on a beautiful day, but sadly, heading outdoors ins’t always easy when you’re living with POTS, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. So see if you can find a way to still catch a glimpse of the natural beauty, whether that’s bundling up to sit on the balcony with some tea, taking a scenic drive with a friend or visiting a local pumpkin patch farm. Maybe these 16 tips for spending time outside in fall and winter with chronic illness will help you discover what works well for you.
4. Bring out the jigsaw puzzles. Whether you love assembling an autumn farmhouse, an enchanting scenery of Central Park or prefer a spooky haunted house for Halloween, doing jigsaw puzzles is a great way to nurture a sense of calm and content when it’s chilly outside. Bonus: listen to The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers on audio for the ultimate puzzle experience!
5. Invest in a soft sweater, a cute mug, warm throw blanket or flannel shirt. I’m not a fan of consumerism and giving your closet or home decor a full makeover every season, but you do deserve to make yourself comfortable when you’ll be spending a lot of time at home.
6. Learn something new. Embrace the back-to-school vibes from the comfort of your home by digging into a topic that interests you. Watch a documentary on history or science, listen to a personal development podcast or study the work of artists like Van Gogh. You could also pick up a new skill, like basic knitting, coding, one guitar chord or signing the alphabet in your nation’s sign language.
7. Bake healthy seasonal sweets. After all, tasty treats like healthier versions of apple crumble, cinnamon rolls and pumpkin bread make any day a little better!
8. Enjoy the sports season. No matter if you’re a fan of rugby, American football, cross country running or soccer, go cheer on your favorite team and athletes. Turn it into a (virtual) game watch party with some tasty snacks, even if it’s just you. If you’re able to handle crowds, watching a (local) game in the stadium or a sports bar could be a fun way to meet new like-minded people.
9. Add a touch magic to your fall. You could reread the Harry Potter series, watch Practical Magic or Hocus Pocus or celebrate the autumn equinox with seasonal rituals, like burning herbal incense, gratitude journaling, reading tarot cards or creating a fall altar.
10. Go forest bathing. Did you know that spending a weekend in the woods can boost your immune system for up to 30 days? That’s pretty impressive, but don’t worry if that’s not an option for you. Science shows that engaging your five senses while you’re anywhere outdoors – as in, really noticing the colors of the trees, the sound of the crackling leaves under your boots, the earthy smell on a wet fall day and sensing the wind on your skin, also known as forest bathing – can lower your cortisol levels and blood pressure. So pay attention to your surroundings to make the most of any time spent outside and help reduce stress, lift your mood and restore your attention span in the process.
11. Watch detectives. From the latest adaptations of Agatha Christie’s A Haunting in Venice and Sherlock Holmes to gloomy British crime dramas like Broadchurch or the humorous Only Murderers in the Building, there’s a detective series or movie for everyone’s taste.
12. Play an adventurous solo (card) game. Help Robinson Crusoe survive on a deserted island in Friday, embark on a quest through Middle Earth with the Lord of the Rings Card Game or choose your own adventure in House of Danger.
13. Make nourishing dinner bowls for the ultimate comfort food. For some effortless cooking, put your Crockpot or Dutch oven to good use and make yourself some sweet potato turkey chili, white bean and mushroom stew, or meal-worthy soups. You could also eat the best produce the season has to offer with an autumn nourish bowl or a fall harvest salad.
14. Get philosophical. As the days get shorter, fall can be a fitting season for introspection. And since chronic illness can turn your world upside down and leave you pondering all kinds of existential questions, you may find some answers or relief in the Daily Stoic meditations for every morning, a sweet explanation of ancient wisdom in The Tao of Pooh or a mesmerizing overview of the history of philosophy in Sophie’s World.
15. Surround yourself with beauty. Treat yourself to a gorgeous coffee table book on national parks, beautiful living or Tom Ford’s creations. You can also hang your most beloved photographs where you can see them daily, buy a notebook and pen or simply bring home pinecones and chestnuts from your walks.
16. Stack up on your herbal apothecary. No, they are not a cure for all, but herbal remedies are known to ease certain symptoms. You could blend up some lemon, honey, ginger and turmeric to turn them into immunity-boosting ice cubes, soothe your skin and promote circulation with autumn herbal bath salts, prep some elderberry popsicles for sore throats or combat inflammation and exhaustion with a medical mushroom latte.
17. Explore a new hobby that’s doable for you. I know there is no easy fix when you’re bored but too sick to do much, but maybe you could still find a few fun activities that’ll lift your spirits, even if you can only do them for 10 minutes. Maybe you could do some easy crafting, like a fall-themed paper wreath, creative doodling or making bookmarks. Or perhaps you want to give online chess a go, try video editing, read some short poetry or write your own story for NaNoWriMo. For more practical tips, take a look at this article on how you can still enjoy hobbies when you’re sick.
18. Make a playlist for the season. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to discover new music or play old favorites over and over again, or whether you want to go for cottagecore vibes, bittersweet songs or something more upbeat, as long as you create a list of songs that’ll put you in the right mood.
19. Host a cozy movie night. Even if it’s just you, turn a regular evening on the couch or in bed into a more special occasion by lighting a scented candle, making a hot & healing drink and some pumpkin-flavored popcorn. Now the only question is, which fall favorite will you be (re)watching – You’ve got Mail, Dead Poets Society, Mathilda, Remember the Titans or just one more episode of Gilmore Girls?
Not every idea on this list will be fitting for your energy levels, mobility or living situation, and that’s ok. But hopefully you will have found some inspiration to beat the boredom, boost your mood and relieve some stress when you’re sick at home.
Which cozy fall activities will you try this season?
Discover 130 more accessible fun things to do when you’re bored and sick at home in this free guide, or check out more seasonal activities suitable for chronically ill people.
