7 Ways to Stay Healthy and Happy This Fall

Nights are getting longer, leaves are beginning to fall, and you can probably already smell pumpkin spice in the air. When seasons change, they give us the opportunity to take inventory on our lives.
Maybe it's time to clean out the storage space, or to go through the closets. This is also the perfect time to check in with your personal health! Since this time of year is usually comprised of less activity, more food, and potentially more stress (the approaching holidays), preparing yourself is an excellent way to be ahead of the game.
So how do you stay happy and healthy this fall season? We've got 7 tips to get you started:

1. Take time for yourself.
   The holidays will soon begin, starting with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then suddenly it's Christmas and New Years - oh, my! Before you know it you'll be knee-deep in visiting relatives and not sure exactly where the time went. Take some time to go for a long walk, pray, write in a journal, or try a new yoga class.
2. Boost your vitamin D intake.
   Our bodies absorb vitamin D through our skins' exposure to the sun, so with the shorter autumn days it's important to be sure we are getting enough. Since vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and immune system function, supplementing with a little extra can help prepare your body for the upcoming sunless season.
3. Stay hydrated. 
   Dry air and dropping temperatures can dehydrate your body faster than you think, even without a blazing summer sun overhead. Since every system in our body depends on a sufficient amount of water in order to function properly (from supporting healthy skin, hair, and nails - to regulating heart rate, and blood pressure), it's vital to make sure we are getting enough. Adding a little flavor to your water with simple & clean ingredients is a proven way to increase your intake while staying healthy.
4. Keep moving. 
   With shorter days, it is easy to decide to spend a lazy evening sitting and watching a movie. Finding some fall-themed activities with not only keep you moving, but boost your mood! Corn mazes, fall hikes, tag football, pumpkin-picking, and even volunteering to help with a fall harvest at a local farm will get some great activity in your day while at the same time making lasting memories.
5. Eat fruits and vegetables that are in season. 
   Since most fruits and veggies have a high water content (another great way to stay hydrated), their quality and nutrition value start to diminish the moment they begin to lose water: when they're harvested. Eating produce that is in season usually means its travelling a shorter distance from the farm to your table, which means a higher retention of vitamins and minerals!
6. Boost your immune system.
   Kids are back in school and temperatures are dropping, which means our immune systems are working extra hard this time of year to fight off colds and other illnesses. Get ahead of the game and boost your immune system by eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, getting adequate sleep, washing your hands frequently and taking extra vitamin C.  
7. Get your workout in early.
   As the days get shorter, it'll be more difficult to get outside and exercise if you're driving home from work in the dark. Set the alarm a little earlier and start your day with a workout. You'll have more energy throughout the day, and when the afternoon comes you can use that time to relax and wind down.

The start of autumn should bring new beginnings and positive changes. Supporting good health and mindfulness is the best way to be proactive and embrace the new season!

Happy Fall! 

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