5 for Friday: 5 Tips for Fall Healthy Living

Autumn is here, but that doesn’t mean your healthy habits need to FALL by the wayside! {bad pun intended}. This season, we encourage you to live the healthiest you can, whether it’s kicking a bad habit, starting a new one, or trying something new, taking proactive action about your health is ALWAYS a good idea!

Take a tailgate time-out.

It’s an all-American pastime, we know, but the tailgate parties every weekend can actually be really hard on your body. With lots of drinking, unhealthy food, and cold weather, you are putting your body through a lot! Don’t despair, we suggest bringing healthy options for food, and instead of indulging in adult beverages every weekend, bring a flavored water or hot tea to sip at cold games.

 Try to get more ‘shut eye”… for the whole family.

Keeping the kids up late might be fun some nights; however they may make things more difficult in the long run. Kids’ sleep is essential to maintaining a healthy weight, normal hunger hormones, and it will keep them much more active and engaged throughout the day! Ages 3-5 require 11-13 hours per night, ages 5-12 require 10-11 hours per night, and ages 11-17 require 9.5-9.25 hours per night- according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu season is upon us! As temperatures get chillier and more of us spend more time indoors, we are inadvertently creating breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. October and November are the best times to get a flu shot for flu prevention. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially recommended to get one.

Exercise your brain and dance!

Did you know that taking a dance class where you are required to memorize steps and patterns will help exercise your brain as well? Studies have shown the more we exercise our brains, the better off we are as we age. Try something new with some friends and get a mental and physical workout!

Curl up with hot coffee.

That wonderfully warming cup of morning coffee we all crave may actually have health benefits! According to a recent study, caffeine in coffee stimulates the brain and nervous system, and may lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, mood problems, headaches, and even cavities. Enjoy in moderation, and remember, adding heavy creamers or sugar can compromise the health benefits!