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6 local ways to practice self-care this September

Make time for a “me day” during National Self-Care Awareness Month. | Photo via Pexels

In case you needed the reminder: Self-care isn’t selfish. That’s the energy we’re bringing into National Self-Care Awareness Month this September.

Self-Care September is a time to take care of your physical + mental health. And as we welcome a new season (hello, fall), now is the perfect time to introduce new wellness practices into your routine.

These six self-care habits can make a big difference on your overall health:

Prioritize your well-being

It’s easy to fall into a pattern of taking care of everyone but yourself. Self-care begins with prioritizing your own well-being (read: the health of your mind, body, and spirit).

Here are a few ways to integrate self-care into your everyday routine.

Get active

Exercise can help strengthen your body, boost your mood, and clear your mind. And, there are plenty of local ways to get moving — whether you want to get active indoors or prefer to workout outdoors.

Take a mental health day

If you’ve been feeling stressed + unmotivated, this is your sign to take a mental health day. Sometimes a day of rest filled with your favorite local self-care activities is all you need to recharge your battery.

Express gratitude

Research shows that the mind and body are connected in more ways than one.

Try this: Approach your day with an attitude of gratitude. Write down three things you’re grateful for in the morning before starting your day.

Try a new hobby

Spark joy by finding a new hobby that interests you. Need some inspo? Check out this list for adult cooking classes, sports leagues, and more around Chattanooga.

Create a cozy space

Your home is like your personal self-care sanctuary — craft your space to be clean, cozy, and comfortable so you can reset + recharge.

Pro tip: Check out our very own Six & Main store to set the vibe with candles, mugs, snuggly sweatshirts, and more.

15 more ways to embrace Self-Care September

Asked

Which self-care habit speaks most to you?

A. Get active
B. Take a mental health day
C. Try a new hobby
D. Practice gratitude
E. Other

Tap in to celebrate self-care

Events

Shop

Chattanooga Market at Erlanger | Wednesdays | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Erlanger Medical Mall, 979 East 3rd St. | Free | Stroll and shop from local farmers + vendors every Wednesday.

Outdoors

Mushroom Foraging 101 | Saturday, September 16 | 11 a.m. | Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Rd. | $35-$40 | Wander trails and learn how to identify wild, edible, and medicinal mushrooms with Ryan Marr from Willow Crest Farm and Primitive Survival School.
Morning Nature Walk | Tuesdays | 7-7:45 a.m. | Stringers Ridge, 1312 Spears Ave. | Free | Start your fall Tuesday mornings with a gentle 45-minute community nature walk (rain or shine) at Stringers Ridge.
Annual Fall Plant Sale and Festival | Saturday, September 23 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. | Free entry | Stock up on plants for your fall garden and enjoy live music, food trucks, activities for kids, and more at this family-friendly festival.

Older Adults

Flex & Fun | Wednesdays | 10-11:30 a.m. | Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Dr., Ooltewah | Free | Adults ages 50+ can flex their body and mind at this weekly event featuring gentle exercises, social activities, games, and more.

Active

Run4Kids 5K | Saturday, September 23 | 9 a.m. | Chattanooga State Community College, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. | $15-$25 | Register for the fourth annual run + walk with proceeds supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga.
Yoga for EveryBODY | Mondays | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Chattanooga Fitness Center, 1254 E. 3rd St. | Free | People of all ages and skill levels are invited to this weekly free, one-hour yoga practice.

Family

FunFair Festival | Saturday, September 30 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Chattanooga Green, 140 Riverfront Pkwy. | Free | Open to all ages, this free, family-friendly event will feature games, food, activities, and education on keeping kids safe + injury-free.
Outdoor Storytime | Wednesdays through October 25 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Southside Community Park, 3501 Central Ave. | Free | Bring your kids ages five and under to this morning of sunshine and storytime with the South Chattanooga Library.

Health

Mommy Mondays | Mondays through October 9 | 11 a.m. | Dodson Avenue Community Health Center, 1200 Dodson Ave. | Free | Erlanger Community Health Centers invites first-time and expectant mothers to these engaging, informative sessions to help prepare for motherhood.

Wellness

🫐 7 foods guaranteed to “glow up” your skin

Nutrient-packed foods (like this smoothie from Southern Squeeze) can help your body glow from the inside out. | Photo by @angelina_yoga_

Get this: You can achieve healthy skin without the 10-step skincare routine. Pro tip: It’s all about what you eat.

It’s no surprise that whole foods — packed with antioxidants, vitamins + other key nutrients — can help your body glow from the inside out.

Try these foods for youthful-looking skin:

Blueberries to help with collagen synthesis for skin elasticity
Sweet potatoes to protect against UV damage
Flaxseed oil to boost hydration (try it in a smoothie)

4 more skin-friendly foods

News Notes

Vote

Let’s put our local farmers markets on the map, y’all. Voting for the 2023 Farmers Market Celebration ends on Sept. 18 — vote for your favorite Nooga farmers market. There will be regional winners + one “People’s Choice” winner recognized as the top-endorsed market in the country.

Outdoors

In case you missed it: The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department released an update on several parks projects — including Lynnbrook Park, Heritage Walk, and Provence Street Park. See what these parks will bring to our community.

Health

A Chattanooga urologist recently became the second person in Tennessee to perform a breakthrough procedure for prostate cancer. The noninvasive procedure (read: no incisions needed) was performed using a Focal One Robotic High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. Learn how Erlanger is using this technology to treat prostate cancer.

Family

Did you know? While a nursing pillow aids a mother’s comfort during breastfeeding, it should not be used as a sleeping surface for your baby. See five dangers of letting your baby sleep on a nursing pillow.

Older Adults

September is also National Healthy Aging Month. In recognition of the holiday, we’ve rounded up a list of activities in our community that are perfect for anyone 55+ (think: pickleball, bird watching + more).

Seasonal

Fall means crisp air, colorful leaves, and… cold + flu season. Here are eight tips to help reduce your chances of falling ill this autumn. (Bonus: Check out these local businesses to stock up on immune-boosting treats.)

Explore more health + wellness news

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