Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Focus on You

Summer is winding down, the kids are back in school, schedules are becoming more predictable and suddenly…there’s a little more time to breathe. While January gets all the attention when it comes to making healthy resolutions, we think fall is one of the best times of year to focus on you.

The change of season gives us a natural opportunity to get back into a routine, revisit our health goals and make a few simple changes that can help us feel our best before the busy holiday season arrives. And you don't need to make a dramatic change. Small steps, done consistently, can add up to big results.

Back to School Means Back to a Routine

Summer is fun, but between vacations, camps, cookouts and later nights, healthy routines can easily get pushed aside. Once school starts, there’s often more structure to the day. Bedtimes are more consistent, mornings have structure and everyone knows where they need to be and when. Why not take advantage of this to create a healthier routine for yourself, too?

Fall is a great time to:

• Get back to a consistent sleep schedule
• Plan your meals and snacks
• Make time for regular physical activity
• Drink more water
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Set aside a little time each day that is just for you

Even if you don't have kids heading back to school, the change in season can be your cue to reset. Summer's busy schedule starts to slow down, making it a great time to focus on your own health and well-being.

Cooler Weather Makes It Easier to Get Moving

If the summer heat has made exercise less appealing, fall is your chance to get moving again. Cooler temperatures make a morning walk, afternoon bike ride or weekend hike much more enjoyable. And getting outside isn't just good for your body...it can be good for your mind, too.

Physical activity increases blood flow throughout your body, including to your brain, and regular movement can support energy, mood and overall well-being. You don't need an elaborate workout routine to reap the benefits. Start where you are.

Take a 10-minute walk. Park a little farther away. Take the stairs. Go for a family walk after dinner. As the weather cools down, find a form of movement you enjoy and make it part of your fall routine.

Before the Holidays, Check In With Your Goals

We often think of January as the time to evaluate our goals, but why wait? Fall gives you several months before the holidays to make meaningful progress toward the things that matter to you.

Take a few minutes to ask yourself:

• How am I feeling?
• What healthy habits am I doing well?
• What could use a little more attention?
• What would I like to accomplish before the end of the year?

Maybe you want to eat more vegetables. Maybe you want to walk every day, drink more water, get more sleep or simply feel better in your day-to-day life. Pick one or two things to focus on rather than trying to change everything at once.

And remember, healthy eating isn't about following the latest fad or cutting out entire food groups. A well-balanced diet never goes out of style. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and healthy fats all have a place in a healthy eating pattern.

Your diet isn't about restriction or deprivation. It's about nourishing your body with the foods and nutrients it needs to function at its best.

Give Your Immune System Some Extra Support

Fall brings with it a change in seasons, cooler temperatures and eventually more time spent indoors. While there isn't one magical food that can prevent you from getting sick, eating a balanced diet is an important part of supporting your overall health and immune system.

This fall, make it a goal to fill your meals with a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including:

• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Beans and legumes
• Low-fat dairy or other nutrient-rich alternatives
• Healthy fats such as nuts, seeds and avocado

And don't forget the basics! Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, managing stress and staying active all play an important role in taking care of yourself.

Make Healthy Eating One Less Thing to Worry About

Of course, knowing what you should eat and actually having the time to shop, plan, prepare and portion it are two very different things. Fall schedules can get busy quickly. Between school activities, work, sports, homework and everything else on your calendar, healthy eating can easily move to the bottom of the list.

This is where Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating can help. Our freshly prepared, dietitian-designed meals take the planning and guesswork out of healthy eating. We do the shopping, preparing, portioning and nutrition calculations for you, so you can spend less time thinking about what to eat and more time enjoying your day.

Whether you're looking to get back on track after summer, establish healthier habits or simply make nutritious eating more convenient, Seattle Sutton can help make healthy eating easier.

Make This Fall About You

You don't have to wait until January to start taking better care of yourself. Let fall be your fresh start this year.

Use the structure of the new school year to get back into a routine. Take advantage of the cooler weather and get moving. Revisit your goals before the holiday season arrives. Fill your plate with nourishing foods and give your body the support it needs as the seasons change.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to make yourself a priority. Here's to making this fall your healthiest season yet!