Fall is arguably the coziest season of the year, so why not implement some cozy fall routines to improve the well-being of your family?

According to Northwestern Medicine, having a routine can significantly improve overall health. A routine can improve sleeping habits, mental sharpness, performance, emotional well-being, and energy levels. Routines also help to reduce stress, anxiety, poor eating habits, and ineffective use of time. Fall is the perfect opportunity to create a cozy routine to ensure your family is happy and healthy all season long.

Fall Morning Routine

1. Mindful Morning

A great way to start your morning routine in the Fall is with practices that will increase mindfulness. Dedicate the first 30 minutes of being awake as a “No Phone Zone” for the entire family. Savor the quiet and cozy mornings of Fall with your family without any distractions. Studies show that checking your phone immediately after waking up primes your brain for distraction and stress for the rest of the day. Also, stumbling upon something negative on your phone can set a negative tone for the day to come. Instead of immediately checking your phone when you wake up, try doing some stretching and breathing exercises.  

2. Breakfast Banter

You know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! It can be hard to find the time to sit down and eat a balanced meal during busy fall mornings. However, setting aside time in the morning to have breakfast with your family is beneficial for everyone. We highly recommend working family breakfast into your morning routine this Fall. While enjoying breakfast, consider going around the table and having each family member saying something they are grateful for, something they are excited about, and a goal they have for the day. Doing so will promote a positive mindset and a productive day ahead for the entire family. If you’re looking for some tasty breakfasts to enjoy this Fall, check out these back-to-school breakfasts from our blog.  

3. Autumn Affirmations

Add positive affirmations to your family’s morning routine this Fall to increase motivation, concentration, boost self-confidence, and improve overall well-being. Morning affirmations can be done in a journal, or you can encourage your family to say their affirmations in the mirror! This can feel funny at first, but it’s a great exercise to boost self-confidence and start the day on a positive foot. Try picking 3 affirmations to say each morning and switch them up depending on how you’re feeling that day. Here are some examples of morning affirmations that can be used for family members of all ages: 

Affirmations for Toddlers

• I am strong. 

• I am smart. 

• I believe in myself. 

• Today is going to be great! 

• I am kind. 

• I am ready to learn. 

• I help others. 

• I can do new things. 

• I can ask for help when I need it. 

• I overcome challenges.  

• I make others happy. 

• I am happy.  

• I speak up for myself. 

Affirmations for Elementary-Aged Children

• My best is enough. 

• I am confident. 

• I am courageous. 

• I make good decisions. 

• I spread positivity. 

• Today will be a great day. 

• I can do anything. 

• I am capable. 

• I am special. 

• I do my best every single day. 

• I stand up for what I believe in. 

• Challenges help me become a stronger person. 

• I treat others how I would like to be treated. 

• I am respectful. 

• Today I will be present. 

Affirmations for Pre-Teens

• I am important. 

• I am brave. 

• I am safe and secure. 

• I trust myself. 

• I am proud of my accomplishments. 

• I love myself. 

• I am loved. 

• I speak to myself and others with kindness. 

• I am allowed to feel all of my feelings. 

• I include others. 

• I help others. 

• I am beautiful. 

• My body is strong and healthy. 

• I love my body. 

• I belong. 

Affirmations for Teenagers

• I am loved. 

• I can change the world. 

• I am creative. 

• I am open to new ideas. 

• I can handle all obstacles that come my way. 

• I can do anything. 

• I stand up for myself and others. 

• I work hard. 

• I am smart. 

• I am determined. 

• I stay true to myself. 

• I do not have to fit in to be necessary. 

• I stand up for what is right. 

• I am beautiful and perfect the way that I am. 

• I do not compare myself to others. 

• I am grateful for all that I have. 

Affirmations for Adults

• I search for the good in all situations. 

• I am compassionate with myself and others. 

• I am aware of my potential. 

• I am enough. 

• I radiate positivity and grace. 

• I am the architect of my life.  

• My potential to succeed is infinite.  

• I am focused and persistent. 

• I master distractions and stay focused on my goals. 

• I do meaningful and rewarding work. 

• I can change the world. 

• I recognize and seize new opportunities. 

• I surround myself with people who treat me well. 

• Everything I need is within me. 

Affirmations for Parents

• I take time to put myself first. 

• My children are happy and healthy. 

• I am an excellent parent. 

• I am willing to learn and grow. 

• I get the rest I need. 

• I am a good role model to my children. 

• Our home is a place of peace. 

• I am making fond memories with my family. 

• I am patient. 

• I speak with gentle love. 

• I am a great listener. 

• I validate the feelings of others. 

• My feelings are valid, and I allow myself to feel them fully. 

• I love how much joy being a parent brings into my life. 

• I love myself. Loving myself is the greatest gift I can give to my child. 

 

Fall Evening Routine

Routines aren’t just for the morning! Having an evening routine is equally as beneficial as having a morning routine. Evening routines should always include free time and private time, so family members have dedicated time during the day to do what brings them joy. If you’re new to evening routines, try picking 1 or 2 items from the list and see how your family responds! 

1. Fall Family Dinners

Fall is a great season to make family dinners a part of your daily routine. Between school, work, fall sports, and other extracurricular activities, it can be hard to find time in the day to spend quality time together as a family. Dinnertime is the perfect opportunity to fit quality family time into your day. Family dinners have a lot of benefits for all members of the family. Some benefits of eating dinner together frequently include a lower risk of depression, increased self-esteem, healthier eating patterns, improved academic performance, lower risk of substance abuse, and a greater sense of resilience. Family dinners are a small way to make a big difference in the life of your family. Take the opportunity this Fall to make family dinner a habit! Cook fun fall recipes to get in the spirit of the season and encourage open and honest conversation around the dinner table. If the idea of cooking so often has you stressed, place an order with Dream Dinners and let us take care of meal prepping for you. Our menu is full of hearty classics and tasty comfort food, perfect for cozying up around the dinner table this Fall.  

2. Hobby Hour

A fun family spin on the “happy hour concept,” try making “Hobby Hour” a part of your family’s routine. After dinner, have each family member dedicates 1 hour to a hobby that brings them joy. Make Hobby Hour a joint venture and tackle a hobby everyone enjoys together on certain days of the week! Here are some examples of individual hobbies for family members of all ages, along with pursuits the family can tackle together.  

Hobbies for Toddlers 

• Fingerpainting 

• Dancing 

• Reading 

• Writing 

• Drawing
  

Hobbies for Elementary-Aged Children 

• Reading 

• Practicing an Instrument 

• Journaling 

• Singing 

• Painting
  

Hobbies for Pre-Teens 

• Learn a language 

• Baking 

• Gardening 

• Photography 

• Exercising
  

Hobbies for Teenagers 

• Cooking 

• Volunteering 

• Reading or Journaling 

• Running 

• Blogging
  

Hobbies for Adults 

• Sewing 

• Meditation 

• Walking 

• Podcasting 

• Learning
  

Family Hobbies to Do Together 

• Puzzles 

• Yoga 

• Scrapbooking 

• Hiking 

• Cycling 

• DIY Projects 

• Baking 

• Cooking 

• Origami 

• Board Games 

• Nature Walks 

• Dance Classes 

• Meditating 

3. Fall into a Bedtime Routine

Creating a bedtime routine has benefits that go beyond improving your sleep. Bedtime routines also teach self-care and increase memory, retention, and other cognitive skills. Bedtime routine also improves mood and behavior while decreasing stress levels. What better season to fall into a bedtime routine than Fall? We’ll provide examples of some activities to include in a bedtime routine. Pick a few that make the most sense for you and your family! Try to steer clear of electronics in the hour leading up to bedtime. This will help your family stay present during their bedtime routine while also improving overall sleep. 

Bedtime Routine Activities 

• Wash up (bath, shower, wash face). 

• Brush teeth. 

• Talking about your day. 

• Reading. 

• Pick out your pajamas. 

• Bedtime stories. 

• Listen to calming music. 

• Plan your day tomorrow. 

• Journal. 

• Pack tomorrow’s lunches. 

• Yoga or Meditation. 

• Plan tomorrow’s breakfast. 

• List 10 things you’re grateful for. 

• Calming body scan. 

• Write about the feelings you had today. 

• Pick out tomorrow’s outfit. 

• Tell a funny joke. 

• Readout loud to each other. 

• Share bedtime stories in a circle. 

• Pick out each other’s pajamas. 

 

Creating a morning and nighttime Fall routine is a great way to increase overall family well-being and decrease levels of stress. It can be hard to stick to a routine during the busy months of autumn, but the benefits of routine are well worth creating the habit! If you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day this Fall, make sure to place your Dream Dinners order so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people that matter most.