🍂 Fall Into Better Health: The Seasonal Reset Your Body Has Been Waiting For

If you find an extra pep in your step when signs of autumn start to appear, there’s a good reason for that! 

The kids are back in school, pumpkin spice everything is back on the menu. And it’s likely that you notice that you are experiencing a quiet shift physically as well. You might be sleeping a little better. You might feel a little more motivated to make home cooked meals, to turn in a little earlier, to go for more walks as the temperatures cool off and the trees start to change.

You might even think, “Huh. I feel a little more like myself.”

Is all that just coincidence? Not according to the research. There are good reasons that many people cite fall as their favorite time of year.

🍁What Your Body Is Actually Doing in the Fall

Your Sleep Gets an Upgrade: That’s right. If you notice that you tend to sleep more deeply or longer as the calendar tilts to the ‘ber months, there’s a reason for that. Falling temperatures outside mean that your sleeping environment inside is often a little cooler. Those cooler temps in your bedroom mean that your body is able to reach what’s known as your thermal neutral zone more quickly and efficiently. Your thermal neutral zone is when, just like Goldilocks in the Three Bears fairy tale, you’re just right. You’re not too hot, you’re not too cold, and your body is able to maintain an ideal temperature without shivering or sweating. 

Your Cardiovascular Health Can Improve: The intense heat of summer across many parts of the United States isn’t just hard on your electric bill, with that AC unit trying to keep up. It can be hard on your heart as well. When temps start to drop in the fall, your cardiovascular system gets a break from the stress of high temps. This isn’t about the severe cold weather that comes in the winter; those kinds of harsh temperatures can be as stressful on the cardiovascular system as extreme heat is. No, this is the gentle break that your system gets when there’s a briskness in the air, but it’s cool and comfortable, not cold and cruel.

Your Metabolism Gets a Little Boost: When the temperatures start coming down, your body shifts into burning more brown fat (adipose tissue) to keep you warm. And guess what? That means that you’re burning more calories in cooler weather without even trying! Okay, it’s not a lot, just a couple more calories, but still…every little bit counts. This could be one of the reasons you feel more energized in the fall, as your body automatically activates burning this different type of fat.

Your Immune System Gets Primed: Foods that naturally ripen and are enjoyed in the fall are great sources of nutrition for your immune system. Pumpkin (the real kind, not just syrup for flavoring your favorite autumn beverage), sweet potatoes, apples, and dark leafy greens all have vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants and fiber that keep your immune system geared up and ready to combat viruses that also make their rounds during this time of year. Additionally, vitamin A helps strengthen your mucosal barrier in your respiratory system (such as in your nose and lungs), which can in turn help protect you from upper respiratory illness during this season. “The food we eat has a profound effect on every facet of health,” writes nutritionist Ani Manukian, RDN, LDN, “from prevention of chronic disease and cancer, to improved mental health. Immunity is no exception – eating the right foods can support a robust immune system, in turn warding off illness and helping us recover faster if we do get sick.” So enjoy the seasonal bounty from the garden to keep your immune system autumn ready.

Your Focus Comes Back Online: Cooler temperatures are also associated with better cognitive function, which means that your brain feels better when the leaves start to fall. Because your body isn’t spending so many resources on trying to keep your body temperature down, that means there’s more energy for thinking, focus, and other complex mental tasks. You can enhance that effect by also making sure to get in those daily walks and keep your exercise schedule going. The combination of better focus and higher dopamine from exercise in cooler weather could make autumn one of your most productive seasons of the year.

🍂How to Maximize Your Fall Reset

Get That Morning Light: The days will be growing shorter as the calendar turns, so make sure to maximize all the great benefits that come from exposing your eyes to natural light. 

Stick to the Sleep Schedule: Yeah, yeah, yeah, you read it everywhere, but it really is true, especially at the change of a season. Making sure you’re in a good rhythm with your sleep and wake cycles has a significant impact on your overall sense of wellness.

Get Outside: Just like making sure you’re taking in morning light, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures, the fresh air, the easier exercise environment, it all helps your body adjust to the fall season and keeps you feeling great.

Get in those Preventative Visits: As cold and flu season also arrives with the cooler temperatures, you want to make sure you have an established relationship with your health care provider before you might need a visit for something more urgent. If you’re a Member of Altrua HealthShare, you have preventative visits built right into your membership. And if you’re not yet a Member, be sure to check out all the great features of being part of Altrua HealthShare, which includes pooled office visits, telehealth, and sharing in important prevention screenings.

🔜 Fall Also Means Open Enrollment Is Right around the Corner

Here’s a fascinating fact, no matter what time of the year it is; unlike traditional insurance, you can become a Member of Altrua HealthShare at any time. If you are currently looking for an affordable, flexible alternative to traditional health insurance, Altrua HealthShare could be the solution for you and your family. And there’s no need to wait until open enrollment!

If you’re looking for options during the open enrollment season, Altrua HeathShare will still be here for you. Learn more about this innovative approach to healthcare and wellness by clicking here. 

Enjoy all the ways the fall can enhance your health and create new momentum as we head into the last part of the year!

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