With the yearly transition from summer’s relaxed energy to the more structured days of autumn, it’s easy for wellness to take a backseat.
However, there are a lot of reasons why the holistic approach to wellness should be top of mind in fall! Learn how to ward off flu, stay calm, and prioritize nourishment with our favorite family-friendly holistic wellness tips.
What is Holistic Wellness?
Holistic wellness is an approach to personal health that considers the whole person rather than focussing solely on physical health. While wellness traditionally accounts for just nutrition and physical exercise, the holistic approach also accounts for our emotional wellbeing, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. So why should we prioritize the holistic approach during the fall season?
Why is Holistic Wellness So Important in Fall?
Here are the key reasons why improving holistic wellness becomes more vital during fall:
- Seasonal changes: With fall comes the arrival of flu season, where chances of illness increase. Colder months also mean that we get less exposure to sunlight, which can negatively affect our mood and Vitamin D levels.
- Lowered immune system defenses: Fall’s weather means that we often spend less time outdoors, which can lower our immune defenses and make us more susceptible to viruses.
- Increased stress: Fall brings the start of a more rigid schedule for families with school, work, sports, and upcoming holidays that can all cause consistent stress and emotional tension that summer didn’t bring.
- Dry skin and dehydration: The colder air, indoor heating, and reduced humidity of the fall season often leads to dry, irritated skin and subconscious dehydration, which affects our focus and active immunity.
- Less physical activity: With fewer daylight hours, it becomes natural to spend less time outdoors and in turn, lower the amount of outdoor activity we engage in compared to the summertime. This can negatively affect our physical wellbeing.
- Increased screen time: When we spend more time indoors, our screen time also increases. Too much screen time can negatively impact our quality of sleep, digestion, mental health, and keep us from moving our bodies.
Easy Ways to Boost Your Family's Holistic Wellness in Fall Without Extra Time or Money
- Go for short family walks after dinner or on weekends. Getting outside boosts our mood and helps combat the seasonal drop in vitamin D, while moving our bodies boosts physical wellness and strengthens our immune system.
- Enjoy more seasonal produce, like root vegetables. Root vegetables often contain complex carbohydrates, folate, and vitamins that help regulate serotonin (our happiness!), fight off infection, and support immune health.
- Encourage regular handwashing after being in public spaces and before meals. This ensures bacteria, germs, and viruses are prevented from entering our bodies and lowers our chance of contracting seasonal illnesses.
- Begin a consistent sleep routine and stick through it. Ensuring everyone in the family gets the sleep they need helps boost immune function, mental clarity, and energy as schedules get busier.
- Drink more water than you think, because cold weather can lead to dehydration. Drinking water helps maintain immune systems by transporting nutrients throughout the body and flushing out toxins.
- Practice self-care with your loved ones! This could mean lighting candles, doing face masks, meditating, or painting. Consistent self-care boosts cognitive focus and mental health while minimizing feelings of anxiety and fatigue.
- Hold family-friendly workouts, and encourage everyone to take turns doing active chores like vacuuming or raking leaves. Even short dance workouts and games boost cardiovascular health and help reduce stress or anxiety.
- Encourage screen-free activities like reading, puzzles, and board games in the evening. This will improve quality of sleep while also boosting mood, and reducing eye or muscle strain.
- Practice gratitude in a journal or as a family by sharing things you’re thankful for. This will improve emotional regulation, reduce negative emotions, and promote mental relaxation.
- Declutter regularly to maintain common areas and cozy private zones. Keeping your living space tidy will keep seasonal illness from settling at home while the calm environment can help prevent overwhelming or anxious feelings.
- Eat meals slowly, and together as a family without distractions. Eating slowly boosts digestion and prevents overeating, while family meal time fosters connection, boosting our emotional and mental health.
