Fall 2017 Health Tips
Here
are eight easy ways to remain healthy and fit throughout the fall…
1. Make Time for Exercise
Suddenly
that free hour or two you had all summer long is taken up by picking the kids
up from school or driving them to soccer practice. Regardless, your health
is worth shifting your schedule— leave a bit early from work to hit
the gym or take a walk.
2. Focus Meals Around Fresh, Local Produce
To avoid piling on
hibernation weight, focus your meals on fresh local produce—such as squash,
beets, apples, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, and kale—to ensure you’re getting
some essential vitamins and nutrients in those crock pot meals.
3. Adjust Workout Attire For the Temperature Change
Dress
for the temperatures. Get yourself a snazzy running jacket and gloves, and
splurge for those new shoes you’ve had your eye on. Staying active and outside
in fall will help you combat the affects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SADs)
known as the "fall blues".
4. Make Healthy Comfort Food
Sure
cheesy casseroles are great in autumn, but what you really want are hot, hearty
meals. Luckily, you can still do that with your health in mind via your crock
pot. Prepare thick stews and soups using autumn’s healthy
vegetables. Stay away from temptations to load up on cream and
cheese-based sauces.
5. Reboot That Immune System
Protecting
yourself from the risk of a fall cold or flu can be tricky at this time of year
when everyone at the office starts to come down with a
nasty cough. Get enough sleep is crucial to an efficient immune system. Inadequate sleep and too much stress will only leave you
susceptible to illness if a cold virus is making the rounds.
6. Eat Breakfast Every Day
You
already know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—thanks mom. That means, if
you make time to eat a nutritious breakfast (i.e., oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt) your
glucose levels will remain balanced and you’ll be less prone to mid-morning
sugar cravings.
7. Relish the Beauty of Fall
Just
because the weather is cooler and damper doesn’t mean you should hibernate
inside until spring. The cooler weather
is also prime for hiking, bike rides, raking leaves (OK,
maybe not), walking the dog, and playing with the kids.
8. Protect Yourself Against Influenza
Fall
season (aka flu season) takes all the prisoners it can. Influenza and cold viruses
are extremely contagious in crowded places—like the office, school, grocery
store, and even among family members. That’s why it’s important to protect
yourself from contracting the flu by getting your annual flu shot and by
maintaining vigilance in the face of a spreading cold. So get those wet wipes
out and be sure to clean any surfaces (i.e., work phones, computers, kitchen
counters) that may have been sneezed or touched by someone with the flu.
