Now that fall is officially in bloom, there’s so much to look forward to, regardless of what part of the country you’re in. However, if you are in regions that have regular seasons, you do get to take delight in the changing leaves and pumpkin patches. As you plan your Thanksgiving dinner and catch up with weekly football games, make sure you stay on top of your health during this time. To ensure that you can enjoy the beauty and excitement of fall to its fullest, here are some autumn health tips to follow.
Get Vaccinated
It’s never too late to get vaccinated. While most American children were vaccinated in childhood, there were still some vaccines you should catch up with. How long has it been since you last had your booster shot? Your primary care doctor will likely tell you you should have one every 10 years to avoid tuberculosis. Of course, the COVID-19 virus is now a part of the regular ecosystem, and anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet should play it safe by doing so.
The dawn of fall also means flu season. So if you’re someone who is often not out by the flu or extreme colds, you may want to consider getting a flu shot to help you with it. You can often go to your regular pharmacies like CVS or Rite Aid for a flu shot.
Do you plan on making any last-minute trips abroad before fall ends and winter snow sets in? Certain countries require extra vaccines. Before making such extensive international trips, it’s a good idea to check with your primary care doctor to ensure you have the right vaccinations for Hepatitis A, B, and C, Malaria, or Yellow fever, depending on where you’re going. After all, it’s important to maintain your autumn health regardless of what part of the planet you’re on.
Improve Your Air Quality
When people think about fresh air versus pollution, the topic often focuses on the outdoors. While outdoor pollution is a major concern. The air inside your home can be just as deadly, especially if you don’t have an updated residential HVAC system. Once you have an AC or heater installed, the job isn’t over. As a responsible homeowner, you should keep up with regular AC inspections and maintenance. These regular inspections can spot small problems before they turn into larger ones that can reduce the lifespan of your AC unit.
When your AC system develops problems, it can have a devastating impact on air quality in your home. Some people may incorrectly think that your HVAC system is only responsible for heating and cooling the air. While that may be its main duty, air circulation, and filtration is just as important when installing these systems. If your unit goes without regular maintenance, dirt, mildew, mold, and other allergens can become trapped in its filters or duct system. As a result, every time you turn such a dirty unit on, you and your family will end up breathing contaminated air. If that contaminated air contains mold spores, it can result in asthma attacks, emphysema, lung infections, and other problems that can impact your autumn health. Avoid going to the ER due to an asthma attack or allergens in your home by having your existing unit inspected or replaced as needed.
Good air quality and to your autumn health by allowing you to effortlessly breathe, relax, and sleep as needed. You’ll have mental comfort knowing that your home doesn’t have toxicity going through the air. Plus, good air quality also prevents bad smells in your home. Between autumn and winter, you’ll be celebrating the holiday season with your family and friends. You can take comfort in having people over knowing they can breathe in clean, fresh-smelling air, whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Get Your Eyes Checked
Maintaining your eye health is important at any age. According to the American Optomic Association, if you’re between the ages of 18 and 60, a visit to your optometry clinic once every two years should be part of your regular health practices. If you haven’t made such a visit in a while, make sure you schedule one as part of your regular autumn health plans.
However, if you have glasses, you should be making annual visits to your local optometrist. Even if your eye care is good, you may want a change for the autumn season. So take care of your autumn vision health by ensuring you have the perfect reading glasses or prescription shades to protect your eyes while also being stylish.
Go to the Dentist
According to the American Dental Association, people should visit their local dentist at least twice a year. Practicing regular dental care.Goes a long way in ensuring that you have healthy teeth and gums for the rest of your life. The basics of dental autumn health should include brushing and flossing at least twice a day or after each meal. If you notice your gums have become swollen and begin bleeding when you brush, you may be showing early signs of gum disease. You can prevent this disease, or at least stop it in its tracks, by seeking regular dental care.
Do you have any loose or missing teeth? If so, your regular dental care should also include considering tooth replacements, especially dental implants. Missing or loose teeth can affect the way you eat, which also affects your nutrition. While dentures are still an option for people who need a partial or full mouth tooth replacement, dental implants have become the norm due to their permanent fixtures. If you’re considering this option, it’ll take a few weeks or months for the implants to adhere to your jawbone. Then you’ll get permanent crowns on those implants and can smile and eat like normal. So, the sooner you get a consultation, the sooner you can start the process and have new teeth for the new year.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is a must at any age. According to the Sleep Foundation, people should get at least 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep at night. Being able to achieve deep REM sleep that allows you to dream allows you to fully rest and recharge as normal. Otherwise, you may constantly wake up feeling groggy and fatigued every day. Without a peaceful sleep, you also may end up developing other autumn health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, weight issues, and inflammation.
As autumn turns into winter, the nights will get longer and the days get shorter. In theory, it should be easier for people to sleep more due to the extra darkness. However, it’s not so easy if you don’t have the right sleeping equipment. The first thing to consider when improving your sleep time should be a visit to the local mattress store.
Your mattress is where you will lay your body for seven to nine hours of peaceful sleep. So if you have a mattress that isn’t comfortable enough to your liking, you could end up waking up several times in a night, tossing and turning, or waking up with cramps. If you wake up with back or neck cramps, it can affect the rest of your day and make it hard for you to be productive. When you visit a mattress store, take the time to test various mattresses out so you can get the right amount of firmness or softness you need to sleep well. If you’re having mobility issues, you can convert over to an adjustable bed where you can have an adjustable mattress that lifts and lowers you to the right sleeping position.
Don’t forget about the quality of your linens. Sleeping on clean, freshly washed linens can help your sleeping experience. In addition to keeping your pillowcases, comforters, and sheets clean, you should also replace things as needed, especially your pillows. In addition to your mattress, your pillows provide support and comfort during sleep. So, if your pillows are old and flat, they may not support your neck the way they should, causing you to wake up with neck pain. Your pillows and mattresses could also harbor dust mites and allergens over time.
Prioritize Your Mental Health
As you handle your autumn health this year, always include your mental and emotional stability. If you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression in your life, you can get professional help by way of psychiatrists, behavioral therapists, as well as group therapy. By having the unbiased opinion of a cognitive or psychiatric professional, you’ll be able to tap into triggers or past traumas that are giving you issues now. They can also help you pinpoint things that you may be doing to bring about unnecessary stress.
If you’re still uncomfortable seeing a therapist in person, you could also utilize telehealth services. One of the benefits of the pandemic that made more people stay home was the rise of telehealth services that allow people to get certain medical care online. If you’re comfortable with online mental health therapy, you may also want to enlist the services of a life coach. A life coach can also help you take an unbiased look at your personal and professional decisions. They can help you reevaluate where you’re at now compared to where you want to be in the future. Getting this type of help can impact your mental health as it can give you clarity and hope to get yourself out of a situation that isn’t making you feel happy, successful, or thriving.
Get Some Fresh Air
Don’t think that just because summer is over, you have an excuse to not be active. As the autumn cool air sets in, it’s a perfect time to be outside and take advantage of fresh air. If you enjoy walks in the park during the summer, you can continue to enjoy that now. Nature walks in the fall means watching the leaves convert from green to red, orange, and yellows. Incorporating nature into your autumn health daily rituals can help provide an overall sense of well-being, calm, and reduced stress, according to Psychology Today.
If your home has a beautiful landscape, Landscape contractors can plant trees that can aid your autumn health even further. Depending on the part of the country you live in, you may have trees that bear apples, pears, nuts, figs, or citrus fruit. Having trees in strategic areas around your home can also prevent noise pollution and make your home more energy efficient.
As you look around the hardscaping areas of your home, are you noticing any vulnerabilities like cracks or potholes? If so, invest in residential paving services so that your stone walkways, asphalt driveways, or concrete patios are safe places for you and other people to walk on. Keeping his area safe can prevent trips or falls that could hurt you or other people, as well as result and possible liability concerns. Make sure that your car tires are safe as you drive up to your garage when your driveway is free of potholes or drainage problems.
Like many Americans, you probably enjoy a good game of football during this time of year. Who says that your autumn sports time has to be reduced to sitting on a couch or going to a football stadium? During fall, the weather is still nice enough for you to get in a good round of golf with your crew. Finding the best golf courses in your area can add to your autumn health by promoting more walking, practicing your hand-eye coordination, and spending time with loved ones. However, if you plan on playing several rounds of golf, you may also want to invest in golf cart sales so you won’t have to walk beyond your comfort level.
As you can see, you have many ways of increasing your autumn health. Fall is a beautiful time when you see the leaves change, eat pumpkin-flavored recipes, plan the holidays, and enjoy cooler weather. With all these considerations, you can practice good health that can lead you into winter and a healthy 2024.