Seasons Change, Energy Shifts, How Self-Care Keeps You Performing at Your Best

As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, many of us notice a shift in our energy levels. Autumn and winter can bring cosy evenings, warm drinks, and beautiful scenery, but they can also leave us feeling more tired, less motivated, and sometimes overwhelmed by the pace of work and life.

That’s where self-care comes in. Far from being a luxury, self-care is an essential part of sustaining peak performance both at work and in our personal lives. It helps us maintain our focus, resilience, and wellbeing, while also allowing us to fully enjoy the season ahead.

Why Self-Care Matters for Peak Performance

When we neglect our wellbeing, our productivity, creativity, and even our relationships can suffer. By contrast, when we intentionally take time to rest and recharge, we:

• Boost our energy and mental clarity

• Strengthen our emotional resilience

• Improve our ability to focus and deliver at work

• Create space to enjoy life outside of work

  
  

In short: self-care doesn’t take away from performance, it sustains it!

Big Self-Care Activities

Sometimes we need to dedicate real, uninterrupted time to self-care. These bigger activities could include:

• Spending time outdoors. Autumn walks can lift mood, boost vitamin D, and counteract seasonal sluggishness.

• Exercise or movement. Whether it’s a gym session, yoga, or a dance class, moving your body helps manage stress and boosts endorphins.

• Creative pursuits. Painting, baking, journalling, or learning something new can be both restorative and energising.

• Connection with others. Planning quality time with family, friends, or colleagues can nourish your sense of belonging and balance.

  
  

Self-Care Snacks

Of course, not every day allows for long stretches of me-time. That’s why “self-care snacks”, small but powerful practices, are so valuable. Below are some self-care snack examples:

• Taking three deep breaths inbetween tasks, just before your next call or meeting

• Standing up and stretching every hour

• Taking time out to listen to a favourite song, podcast or read a chapter of your book

• Making a cup of tea and drinking it without checking your phone

• Writing down three things you’re grateful for

• Take a 15 min powernap!

  
  

These small acts may only take a few minutes, but they can shift your mindset and restore balance throughout the day.

Protecting Your Self-Care Time

The biggest challenge with self-care is often not the activity itself, but finding the time. Productivity expert Nir Eyal suggests using a technique called timeboxing. Instead of leaving self-care to chance, you block time in your calendar for it, just as you would for a meeting. By scheduling activities, both big and small, you give yourself permission to prioritise your wellbeing and make it a non-negotiable part of your day.

A Practical Tool for Autumn

To support you in putting this into practice, Action for Happiness has created a self-care calendar filled with simple daily ideas to boost wellbeing. Click HERE to download your copy.

Final Thought

As we move into the darker months, remember that your energy is a resource to be protected and replenished. By weaving both big self-care activities and simple daily “snacks” into your routine, protecting that time with tools like timeboxing, you can sustain peak performance, enjoy the season more fully, and feel better equipped to thrive both at work and beyond.

We’re Here All Year Round

Whether you're looking to host a one-off wellbeing session, run a series of training courses or build your wellbeing strategy, we’re here to help you create a workplace where every employee feels supported, seen and heard.

Please get in touch to find out more at: hello@themindhub.co.uk - 01628 337583