Tips For Staying Healthy This Fall
Fall is a time of transition. In Ayurveda, fall ushers in the vata season (find more information on vata season here) and brings with it the wind, or air element. This season can leave us feeling exposed and a little raw, but it is also filled with possibility—a time when we, too, can strip down to a quieter life, a time of being and savoring simplicity and slower days.
This time of year can be challenging to keep up healthy habits. The cooler, shorter days make it harder to get outdoors to move your body and get sunlight on your skin. Fall also ushers in the beginning of sugar season and decadent eating.
Colds and the flu are more common in the colder months, due to people spending more time indoors + not getting sunshine (which your body converts into Vitamin D3) + an increased intake of sugar.
How can you support your physical and mental well-being this year? Make diet and lifestyle choices that counter the effects of the season to better maintain your internal sense of equilibrium.
Eat warming foods
In the colder months, eat foods that take longer to digest and can help keep you warm longer. In Ayurveda, we add in warming foods that help with circulation and digestion. Consider adding: Complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, black beans, brown rice, and other grains and legumes
Ginger is warming and is said to improve blood flow—I usually drink ginger tea with meals in the fall and winter; it’s warming and supports healthy digestion
If you can enjoy spicy foods, add chili pepper and other similar spices to help boost your body’s warmth
Eat seasonally
Eating seasonally is a great way to stay healthy throughout the year. Not only is seasonal produce fresher and more nutritious than out-of-season produce, it tends to be exactly what your body needs in that season.
Turn to the fruits that are plentiful in the fall: apples, figs, persimmons, and pomegranates. This is the only time of year my kids get apples so you can be sure we’ll be eating them daily—sliced with nut butter for a snack, stewed in ghee and sprinkled with cinnamon for a warming breakfast or an after dinner treat.
Opt for root veggies such as beets and sweet potatoes.
As well, there are many varieties of squash you can include: acorn, butternut, kabocha, pumpkin, and, spaghetti squash.
Make time for friends and family
The cooler temps and shorter days may have you wanting to hide out at home, but continuing to make time for your social life will help support your emotional and physical health. Positive interactions with friends and family have been proven to boost dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and encourage relaxation.
Get more sleep
With the sun going down earlier in the evenings, you may feel sleepier than usual. This is natural. We get less light in the fall and winter, so our bodies crave more rest. Getting more sleep is good for your body and can help you to stay healthy throughout the colder seasons.
Stay hydrated
You may not feel as thirsty in the fall and you probably won’t sweat as much. It is still important to stay hydrated! Drinking enough water can help your body fight off illnesses. Did you know that staying hydrated helps support your temperature regulation, keeping you warmer in the cold weather? And since cold winds and temperatures can be drying to your skin, drinking water will help keep you glowing throughout the season.
Bundle up and get outside
Spending time outdoors has benefits year-round. Even if it’s chilly, try to get outside at least once a day. Bundle up in warm, moisture-wicking clothing will help you stay cozy. Layer up in warm clothing, cover your head and hands, and get outside to take a walk every day. Breathing fresh air is good for your body, and soaking up sunlight (even when it’s filtered through clouds) will help regulate your sleep schedule and melatonin production. Added benefit: being out in nature helps improved focus and reduce stress.
Want more resources to keep healthy as you head into fall? Head over and get my Roadmap To Wellness which includes the products and supplements I use to keep me and my family healthy!