5 Health & Wellness Tips For The Fall Season
As we head into the final three months of 2021, take advantage of the seasonal changes to focus on making positive and healthy changes in your own life!
It’s that glorious time of the year, Fall! The time of the year known for pumpkin-spice treats and beautifully colored falling leaves. And while the days may be shorter, the weather is also milder. What a wonderful opportunity for each of us to take note of our own position in this space and focus on finishing the year out strong.
As we head into the final three months of 2021, take advantage of the seasonal changes to focus on making positive and healthy changes in your own life!
Here are a few tips to help you stay focused on your health & wellness this season:
Set goals & intentions:
Decide what you want to accomplish over the next few months. Be specific. In fact, create SMART goals. What is a SMART goal, you might ask. Well, it is one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. For example: As opposed to saying “I want to run a 5k sometime soon”, a SMART goal would say “I plan on completing the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5k in November, and will prepare by training 3 days per week until then”.
Write your goals down. Make sure they are visible, not tucked away in a drawer. The more accessible they are, the more they will serve as a reminder for what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.
Get the family involved:
With the weather cooling down, outdoor activities become more bearable for the entire family. This season presents so many opportunities to take advantage of this change… think pumpkin patches, community charity/holiday races, state fairs, and even local parks and state forests. All of this outdoor activity will give you (and the family) the opportunity to take in some fresh air, Vitamin D, get your muscles moving, and not to mention, it can do wonders for your mental health & wellness.
Be mindful of nutrition choices:
As I mentioned above, the fall season also brings tons of sweet treats and drinks. Pumpkin-spiced this… caramel-flavored that…. you know, the really tasty, tempting, hard-to-resist holiday goodies. Now, I’m not suggesting that you avoid them completely, because I’m definitely not. I’m simply reminding you to be mindful. These last three months of the year include holidays that focus heavily on candies, pies, cakes, cocktails, and more. Enjoy yourself, but do not undo all of the progress you have made, thus far. If you do find yourself enjoying those seasonal goodies a little too much one day, just refocus and start again the next day. Don’t make it a situation that lasts throughout the end of the year, causing you to settle on the idea of waiting on a fresh start in 2022. Don’t wait! Be intentional right now, so that 2022 is just a continuation of the healthy lifestyle you have already established this year!
Renew commitment to self-care:
As 2021 has progressed, you may have found yourself taking care of others more than yourself. It happens, it’s normal. But, use this changing of the seasons to renew your commitment to yourself and get back on track. A few ideas might include:
Establish daily or weekly quiet time for devotion, prayer, or meditation
Continue or begin writing in a journal
Treat yourself to a massage or another spa service
Choose a new book to read or pick up the one collecting dust on your nightstand
Try a new class… think cooking, painting, cookie decorating, or even learning to play an instrument
Whatever you decide, just make sure that it’s for you.. your choice, on your schedule, and as often as you deem necessary.
Be realistic, be patient, & stay consistent:
Hopefully, you followed the guidelines listed above and created SMART goals for yourself. With those goals always top of mind, remember to be realistic. This time of the year has to potential to be very enjoyable, don’t let happiness get lost by being too hard-nosed when it comes to your goals. Be patient with yourself and give yourself grace. Do not get caught up with strict diets or overworking yourself with exercise. Instead, focus on making changes (or adjustments) that aid in creating lifestyle changes and lifetime habits. We’re on this journey for the long-haul, y’all! Your consistency will reap positive, productive, and measurable rewards.
