Embrace the season with these 6 healthy habits for fall! From nutritious recipes to outdoor activities, these ideas will help you stay well during the autumn months.
Hello October, my most favorite month of all! With anniversaries and birthdays, October is always full of fun celebrations in the KERF household.
October is also the start of the fourth and final quarter of the year, and the beginning of the holiday season. It’s often a time when our wellness habits and intentions are overlooked and put on the backburner, and it’s notorious for being the season of delicious things – from Halloween candy (or birthday cake for us) to Thanksgiving charcuterie boards, Christmas cookies, and New Year’s Eve champagne toasts.
Fall is my favorite season for many reasons.
More than New Year’s, and more than spring cleaning, the autumn season is my time to restart, reenergize, and recommit to my healthiest routines.
I’m sure this feeling traces back to the back-to-school feelings I experienced as a child. I like getting back into a routine.
And bringing in some healthy habits for fall revs me up for the long, dark months ahead. I think it’s the ideal time to adopt healthy habits that will keep you feeling energized and well throughout the season. As we transition from the lazy days of summer to the busier routines of fall, incorporating these six healthy habits into your lifestyle can help you make the most of this beautiful season.
6 Healthy Habits For Fall
Here are six ways I am revitalizing my fall routine:
Setting a morning alarm.
Over the summer, I tend to let myself sleep in more. The pace of life is slower, school is out, and there are more vacations to reset my body clock. But with a school bus and drop off times to meet come fall, we have to be on a tighter schedule.
Both boys need to be up before 7. Those mornings are quite hectic to get us to school on time.
In an effort to get myself organized before the boys are up, I’m putting myself on a schedule: early bedtime at 9:30 (usually reading), alarm at 6:26 a.m. I used to spend some time doing my morning routine on my computer, then getting ready for the day with my skincare routine, and sipping coffee along the way, but with Birch in KG this year, I’m throwing on a robe and helping him get out the door with Thomas and then doing my morning routine after he’s gone.
Enjoying NA happy hours.
The past few years, I really made it a focus to keep alcohol for weekends and special occasions only. Luckily, I have found a lot of really great NA (non-alcoholic) drinks that are just as enjoyable (I have an entire blog post about the best NA beer and wine). I did pretty well sticking to this routine over the summer, and this is my reminder that pumpkin beer and red wine don’t lead to great sleep. Trail Magic has been a great alternative to alcohol that still feels a little more fun than water.
I plan to keep my alcohol consumption to weekend nights and special events during the week (if that!). Happy hour = happy body.
Switching my skincare for drier air.
When we go from cold weather to hot, humid weather in the summer, I have to make adjustments. And the same thing goes for entering the cooler months of fall and winter, making adjustments for the colder, dryer weather! If you’re like me, and your beauty routine needs a little something different when the seasons start to change, here are some tips for fall skin changes.
What happens to my skin and makeup:
- More dryness
- More dullness
- Foundation settles in creases
- Skin feels tight by the afternoon
What I’m Adding:
Burning plant-based fall candles
If you love a pumpkin spice candle, consider the brand you’re buying before you light it up. A lot of candles are filled with artificial fragrance that might end up giving you a headache. Grow Fragrance candles are plant-based with a transparent ingredient list so you know what you’re burning or spraying is non-toxic.
They’re also made as aluminum inserts that you can recycle and drop a new one into the ceramic holder. The perfect hostess gift for the holiday season ahead!
Bringing back the prep day.
So much of my summer is spent winging meals and eating at the pool. Back-to-school season means fall sports and school schedules, so we’re getting smart with our meals. While we love using meal kits for dinners, breakfasts, lunches, and snacks could all use some TLC. I’m trying to make a few things on the weekend – think granola, energy bars, muffins, or baked oatmeal.
Prepping for my lunches always goes a long way, too. With colder weather comes cravings for roasted vegetables, so I hope to do a big pan of them (including sweet potato fries for the boys). Having roasted vegetables on hand helps to quickly assemble lunches and low-cook dinners.
Get fresh, crisp air for 30 minutes every day.
Ironically, in the summer I don’t walk as much because it’s so darn hot and humid out there! I don’t want to arrive with stinky, wet clothes. During the perfect 70 degree temperature days with twinkling sunshine popping through the leaves this perfect time of year, there is absolutely no excuse not to walk instead of drive, play outside in the yard, and spend more time outside. Plus winter is coming, so appreciate it before it’s gone!
I’m walking to and from Birch’s bus stop (which isn’t as close as it should be), and I love doing an early evening walk while the days are still light.
Extra Habit: Wear “real” clothes!
Now that I have a beautiful new and extremely organized closet, I’m inspired to wear “real clothes” at least a couple of times per week. Don’t get me wrong, I do not feel guilty about wearing athleisure most days, but I always feel so great when I put on a cute sweater and do my makeup.
This is my wishlist of a few pieces I’d like to add to my wardrobe: these leather booties // these jeans // this dress // this pajama set
What healthy habits for fall are you adding or subtracting this month?
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