Fall comes with flu season, colder temps, comfort food and more time spent indoors. It’s the perfect season to relax and cozy up at home – but it’s important to transition our physical and mental health from summer to fall, not just our closets! Keeping up with healthy habits – like your exercise routine, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, etc. – will not only help you stay on track but it’ll also help boost your immune system for the season. Here are 10 wellness tips to keep you healthy this fall.
Get enough vitamin D
We get most of our vitamin D from the sun, so our intake decreases when the temps start to drop and we spend most of our time inside. Vitamin D can help boost your mood and immune system, so you can take supplements or eat foods high in vitamin D (like eggs, fatty fish and fortified foods such as soy milk, orange juice, cereal and oatmeal) to increase your intake.
Boost your immune system
As it gets colder and flu season starts, it’s important to stay healthy by taking care of your body. You can do this by staying hydrated, washing your hands, getting enough sleep, managing stress, boosting your gut health and eating foods high in vitamin C. Here are 6 easy ways you can boost your immune system!
Get your flu shot
Even in the middle of a pandemic, flu season is still something we need to look out for this fall. One way to stay healthy this time of year is to get your yearly flu shot, which the CDC recommends getting before the end of October. The vaccine won’t prevent COVID-19, but it’ll help prevent flu symptoms, missed work and hospitalizations.
Maintain a sleep schedule
As the sun goes down earlier and the days get shorter, it can throw off your circadian rhythm. Try to stick to a sleep schedule of at least 7-9 hours. It also helps to keep your normal waking and bedtime hours the same as the rest of the year.
Drink more water
As it gets colder, your body can actually lose as much fluid as it might in hot temps because of the higher rates of energy your body uses in colder temps – and thanks to all the extra layers, you’ll sweat more. Drinking more water will keep you hydrated and your skin supple, which can also be a problem as the weather gets drier!
Change your skincare routine
Colder temps dry out your skin, so make sure to change your skincare routine according to the climate you live in. This means swapping out your products for something more heavy-duty, exfoliating more frequently to brighten dull complexions and avoiding hot showers (this can strip your skin of its natural oils). I like to add a humidifier to my nightstand during the colder months. It’s the perfect way to bring some moisture back!
Buy in-season foods
A new season means new foods – and it’s worth considering adding these nutrient dense options onto your plate. I love incorporating more foods like Brussels sprouts, cranberries, turnips, butternut squash, beets, pumpkin and dark leafy greens into my fall recipes.
Stay active
As colder temps start to move us indoors and we have to give up our outdoor workouts soon, it can be easy to fall off track with our fitness routine. It’s important to stay active and get some movement in throughout the day. I’ve been loving these at-home workouts that are perfect for quarantine –and now just as perfect for the colder season! I recommend picking up some of these at-home workout essentials to keep your workouts fun and different.
Keep a schedule
The colder and shorter days can sometimes feel like they’re dragging on pushing you into isolation. Stay on track by keeping a schedule, time-blocking your day and writing out your to-do’s. I love batching tasks and using the Pomodoro method to maximize my days. Definitely check out my favorite productivity-boosting products here if you haven’t already!
Be kind to yourself
From personal experience, the holidays can cause weight gain, the shorter days can cause low mood and the flu season can cause sickness. I always try to listen to my body and give it what it needs – and I don’t beat myself up if it deviates from whatever I planned for myself! As we enter a new season, it’s important to be kind to yourself, show self-compassion and show up for yourself, whether that looks like indulging in your favorite self-care activities, reciting daily affirmations to yourself or reframing negative thoughts into positive ones.
How are you taking care of yourself this fall? I’d love to hear your wellness tips!
