Happy, Healthy Fall

Greetings!

Autumn is here again, that very special time of year. The sun shines and the colors change, as the crisp, fresh fall air envelopes us all. Pumpkins illuminate our sweet wee town. We nestle into comfy chairs. Fall spices float on the breeze and before we know it the holidays are peeking around the bend. Here are a few ideas to make the most out of Autumn this year.

· Take a little time for you: Autumn is Earth’s way of inviting us to slow down. Life can get busy with endless things to do. This is a good time to remember that we are the orchestrators of our lives. Saying “Yes” to the things we love and “No” to the ones we don’t, can give us a whole new lease on life.

· Take Vitamin D. Our bodies get Vitamin D from the sun. Our Vitamin D intake from the sun decreases when the weather cools and we spend more time indoors. A Vitamin D supplement can boost your mood and immune system! For optimal intake, ask your healthcare professional to test your Vitamin D levels and supplement accordingly.

· Get an annual check-up. Fall is a great time to schedule your annual check-up. Get it in before the year ends. Checking in with our health each year lets us see things happen in slower motion, so we can make the changes that build a happy, healthy future for us and our loved ones.

· Boost your immune system. Fall is an excellent time to add a little extra support to help prevent you from catching colds in the first place. Herbs such as Echinacea, Elderberry, Ginger, Garlic, Oregano and Astragalus can give your immune system a boost.

· Moisturize your skin. Moisturize right after toweling dry from a shower. Consider using plant-based oils such as Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, and Coconut oil instead of conventional skin creams. Remember to wear sunscreen: The sun is still shining on us here in our beautiful neck of the woods.

· Cook with in-season foods. We have an amazing Farmer’s Market with wonderful farmers who care about our Earth and our health. Incorporate a rainbow of your fall favorites into meals: beets, broccoli, cabbage, kale, pumpkin, roasted squash, sweet potatoes, and onions sautéed with dark leafy greens! Yum!

· Stay active! Start an exercise routine now, don’t wait for the new year. Invite a friend, a pet, meet someone new who wants to improve their health too. Go for walks and bike rides together. Try a new class. There are so many great classes and instructors at Blue Mountain Yoga and Wellness. We are blessed to have so many people who care for our wellbeing!

· Enjoy a book. We love to sit together on a cool winter night and read a good book. Sometimes we take the relaxi-taxi and listen to books on tape (Audible). We are fortunate that our town has a wonderful Library that holds vast numbers of volumes just waiting to open new worlds for us.

· Be kind. Be kind to yourself. There is only one you in this whole wide world. Be kind to those around you. A smile and a kind word can be contagious in the best possible way and do wonders for those around you. We love watching videos on Random Acts of Kindness. They help to restore our faith in humanity and remind us that we are all in this together. Thank you for who you are! Much Love and Many Blessings!

Be Well!

Dr. Lara