As of a couple weeks ago, we are officially in the fall season. For those who love things like pumpkin spice, Halloween, and autumn leaves changing color, this is the best time of the year. However, it is also the season where many people experience colds and flu symptoms. Here’s four ways you can enjoy all that fall has to offer by staying healthy.
First, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Yep, we know, you’ve heard it a million times, but staying hydrated is essential. Many people today go through the day without drinking enough water. Ideally, you want to aim for drinking eight, eight oz glasses of fluid in a day. It is important to drink water for many reasons. Water helps our bodies function properly and prevents us from becoming dehydrated. Did you know that dehydration can lead to tiredness, headaches, and even dizziness? Drinking water is especially important when we are exercising. When we sweat, we lose fluids and need to replenish them by drinking water. So next time you feel thirsty, reach for a glass of water instead of a sugary drink! Your body will thank you for it.
Our second tip is washing your hands properly. Handwashing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. When you wash your hands, you remove dirt, germs, and other potentially harmful substances that can cause disease. Handwashing is especially important before and after preparing food, after using the restroom, and after coming into contact with someone who is sick. By taking a few moments to wash your hands, you can help protect yourself and others from illness. Our hands are constantly coming in contact with surfaces touched by the general public, and while we can’t control other people’s hygiene, we can manage our own. any people don’t realize that you should wash for upwards of 20 seconds–with soap, obviously–to ensure your hands are clean. Somewhat related to this point: try to resist touching your face. Those with a habit of putting their hands on their mouth, nose, or rubbing their eyes are more likely to introduce bacteria and viruses into their system.
Thirdly, eat healthy. Eating a healthy diet is important for many reasons: it gives your body the nutrients it needs to function properly, helps you maintain a healthy weight, have more energy, and avoid illness. Eating healthy can help you live a long and healthy life.ย Yes, it can be more expensive to eat good food, but if you have to cut back on something, make it that sugary coffee drink or eating out, and invest the savings in high-quality, nutritious food. Your body needs the right nutrients, fresh vegetables, lean protein, and vitamins more than ever during the fall (and winter) months.
Finally, give yourself permission to rest and relax. You don’t have to be on the go 14 hours a day. If work, kids, chores, and life in general are feeling like a bit too much, stop and reevaluate. Humans are amazing creatures, but we do need rest. We can’t say what rest and relaxation mean to you: for some, it might be relaxing to go hiking, for others, it looks more like a lazy afternoon on the sofa or a long bath. Find your relaxing, happy place and gift it to yourself. Of course, on top of this, evaluate your sleep patterns. Are you waking rested or exhausted? If it’s the latter, try going to be 30 min earlier than usual and see how you feel by contrast.
Life is about balance, and our health can easily become out of whack when we don’t adhere to the simple things: food, hygiene, hydration, and rest. When you stick to the basics, and treat your body well, your body will be stronger, your immune system more resilient, and your outlook more positive.