Tips for a Happy, Healthy Fall
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How You Can Support Your Health This Fall
The fall season brings crisp air, changing leaves, and many opportunities to take charge of your health. Read on to learn more about how you and your family can lead a healthy and active lifestyle all autumn.
Get Moving
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, people should be striving to reach about 150 minutes of physical activity each week, which is just 30 minutes of exercise 5 days out of the week. With the temperatures decreasing, many may seek solace in the warm and cozy confines of their home after a hot summer, but there are many benefits of continuing to stay active on into the autumn.
Health Benefits of Staying Active
Adding physical activity to your everyday routine brings with it plenty of immediate and long-term health benefits. By adding moderate-intensity exercises to your life, you can improve your health in the following ways:
:Helps you to maintain a healthy weight
Reduces your risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Lowers your blood pressure.
Improves your cholesterol levels.
Reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Supports your musculoskeletal health.
Reduces your risk for cancer of the breast, colon, kidney as well as other cancers.
Reduces your risk of developing diabetes.
Some outdoor activities that you and your family can try out this autumn include:
Bike riding
Leaf peeping
Hiking
Gardening
Pumpkin picking
Apple picking
Strawberry picking
Canoeing
Rock climbing
Camping
Fishing
Touch football
Corn maze
Jogging
Visit the zoo
Common Injuries and Illnesses to Avoid
As you actively participate in outdoor activities into the fall, there are specific injuries and illnesses that you are at an increased risk of experiencing. Here are some of the most common to keep on your radar:
Bee stings
Wasp bites
Mosquito bites
Spider bites
Tick bites
Fire ant bites
Spider bites
Heat rash
Heat exhaustion
Sunburn
Poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac
Athlete’s foot
Heat exhaustion
Dehydration
Keep Your Allergies Under Control
As we head into the great outdoors for hikes, camping, and other outdoor activities—your allergies can wreak havoc on your autumnal outings. Fortunately, there are ways you can help to keep your symptoms at bay.
Common Allergens
One of the best ways to keep your environmental allergies under control is to identify your triggers. Allergens are typically harmless substances that cause your immune system's reaction, causing your body to attempt to fight off the small particles. This is what is commonly referred to as an allergic reaction.
Some of the most common allergens include:
Pollen
Dust
Dust mites
Pet dander
Pollen
Grass/ragweed
Mold/mildew
Cigarette smoke
Smoke
Symptoms of Environmental Allergies
Although environmental allergies are often confused with cold and flu symptoms, they are not caused by the same things. Allergies result from your immune system overreacting to particles in the environment rather than a viral infection.
Common environmental allergy symptoms include
Itchiness
Runny nose
Sneezing
Nasal congestion
Coughing and/or wheezing
Shortness of breath
Asthma attacks
Fatigue
Headaches
Itchy/irritated eyes
Know When to See a Doctor
Although many allergy symptoms like sneezing and congestion can be dealt with, it is still advised that you see an allergist to address your symptoms if they get in the way of your day-to-day activities.
If you have more severe symptoms, you should seek immediate care if you experience any of the following:
Over-the-counter allergy medications don’t help your symptoms.
You frequently experience shortness of breath, as you may have allergy-induced asthma.
You are prone to congestion and sinus infections.
Protect Your Skin
Although the sun’s heat and intensity continue to decrease as we settle into the autumn season, it is still possible for you to experience sunburn and even sun poisoning as you spend time outdoors.
Symptoms of Sunburn and Sun Poisoning
Symptoms to look out for include:
Redness
Swelling
Pain
Peeling skin
In more severe cases, you may even experience the following symptoms that may require immediate care:
Severe redness and inflammation
Aching pain
Fever or chills
Dehydration
Dizziness
How to Prevent Sunburn
Remember these tips to keep your skin safe while you spend time in the sun:
Apply broad-spectrum SPF every hour that you spend outdoors.
Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Wear breathable, loose-fitting clothes that cover your body.
Spend more time in the shade than in direct sunlight.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration happens when the body loses more water than you're taking in, making it harder for your body to function properly. While many people become dehydrated during the summer, it can occur at any time of year. Be sure to drink the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, drinking even more water when participating in outdoor activities.
Be Mindful of Dehydration Symptoms
Symptoms of dehydration in adults typically include:
Feeling extreme thirst
Dry or sticky mouth
Using the restroom less frequently
Sweating less
Headache
Muscle cramps
Dark yellow or amber-colored urine
Tiredness
Dizziness
Because children and babies are more prone to losing fluids through frequent crying, vomiting, and diarrhea, it is important to pay attention to the warning signs that they are becoming dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration in children may include:
A dry or itchy mouth and tongue
Eyes that appear sunken
No tears when crying
Peeing less frequently
Your baby’s soft spot on the top of their head appears sunken
Dry skin
Unusually moody or irritable
Abnormally lethargic
High-grade fever