Autumn is a great season — there’s no doubt about it. It’s colder, the leaves are changing, and it’s almost time for the winter holidays. However, the temperature drop can also change our health and make us more susceptible to colds. What health and wellness tips can you keep in mind to stay healthy? Here are some recommendations.
12 Fall Health and Wellness Tips
Need some tips for good health during the fall? Keep these habits and activities in mind.
1. Schedule a Checkup
A health and wellness advice you’ll often hear is that regular checkups are necessary. It’s especially true as the seasons change and temperatures lower. To make sure everyone in the family is clear, consider scheduling a health checkup with your doctor. Your physician can update vaccinations, conduct a physical exam, and track any existing conditions you might have. It’s also an excellent opportunity to get your annual flu shot!
2. Go Outside
One of the best tips for mental wellness is to commune with nature. Autumn provides you with a great opportunity to do just that as we finally bid goodbye to the summer heat. Take some time to go for an afternoon walk or just spend time at the park. However, dress for the weather as things start to cool down.
3. Get Your Diet Straight
Eating a well-balanced diet is arguably the best advice for good health. It is important to our overall well-being and can impact the health conditions we will (or will not) contract. Good nutrition tips include eating lots of vegetables and fruits throughout the day. This will help you fight infection and regulate your gut health.
Limiting bad food, such as sugary drinks and snacks, is also important. Try to keep junk food and processed foods to a minimum. Make home-cooked meals to regulate how much salt, sugar, carbs, protein, and fiber you eat, if possible. Your body will thank you in the long run.
4. Exercise
The wellness tip of the day — or, instead, every day — is to exercise. Moving your body is crucial as it needs a certain amount of physical activity each week. Even if the days become gloomier and colder, staying active is essential to overall health. Why not mix the second tip with this one to make it more fun? Go outside for a morning jog or take a bike to grab your afternoon coffee.
Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity daily exercise should keep your body in good condition. If you have kids, they should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
5. Get Your Shots
Fall is beautiful, but with it also comes flu season. To prevent disease, remember to wash your hands regularly and disinfect the surfaces around your house. Getting your flu shot to prepare for the rest of the year is also a good idea.
6. Stay Hygienic
Of course, you should always focus on your personal hygiene. However, as the weather cools down, people have more time to themselves at home. Consider checking your family’s health habits to ensure everyone has a good routine. Remind everyone to wash their hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating meals.
In addition, make sure everyone brushes their teeth regularly. Dental health is vital, especially since teeth can be hard to maintain once they are lost. Also, it’s important to take periodic showers and get enough sleep.
7. Take Vitamin D Supplements
We get a lot of our vitamins from nature. The sun’s rays provide vitamin D, while our food provides other important vitamins and minerals. When it comes to vitamin D, though, it can get a lot harder during the fall. Our vitamin D intake from the sun will decrease, especially as winter comes. Consider taking vitamin D supplements to mitigate your risk of deficiency.
8. Get Ready for Daylight Savings Time
Daylight savings time (DST) will end during the fall, so you might be a little “jetlagged” when all the clocks change. Lack of sleep can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. It’s best to prepare beforehand by going to bed earlier than you normally would. The end of DST also ushers in more extended periods of darkness — more time for you to sleep!
9. Moisturize Your Skin
Colder temperatures make our skin more prone to drying and cracking. To keep your skin hydrated, buy a moisturizer and apply lotion all over your body. Remember to apply it on both your face and body! Of course, you should still wear sunscreen even with less sun exposure.
10. Wear Layers
You’ll want layers of clothing to keep yourself warm this season. Make sure to buy everything from warm socks, gloves, scarves, coats, and ear muffs. You should also buy snow boots if it snows in your area!
11. Prepare for Extreme Weather
Extreme weather can affect your health and well-being. It’s important to prepare for these weather conditions by buying all the necessities. Purchase all the cold and flu medicine you might need during winter. Also, remember to check on your heater to ensure it works during the holiday season. As a bonus tip, remember to buy spare flashlights, batteries, a shovel, and a snow blower if you get a lot of snow!
12. Practice Self-Care
Self-care is great for boosting your mood and mental health. Our minds need just as much care and attention as our physical bodies, after all. Here are some health and wellness tips to protect your mental condition:
- Maintain an active lifestyle
- Find a hobby you love doing
- Meditate or try yoga
- Connect with friends and family
- Get involved in your community (e.g. volunteer at a local soup kitchen)
- Seek therapy if you have a mental health condition
It’s Good to Be Prepared
Preparation is key, so you’ll have a good time during the colder months. Remember these health and wellness tips so you and your family can stay in good shape throughout the season!
You Can Also Read These:
- Are Little Luxuries Good For Mental Health?
- How To Best Protect Yourself From Harmful UV Radiation Effects
- 7 Must-Try Winter Comfort Food Recipes
