The fall season brings along with it beautiful scenery with the changing colors of the leaves out in nature, but with this also comes cooler temperatures and less daylight hours.
A byproduct of the cooler temperatures and less daylight is less exercise as well, as the motivation to get up and move goes down when the conditions aren’t anywhere near as comfortable as they were a month or two ago.
Still, the importance of staying committed to getting some exercise in each day can’t be understated, as movement is good for not only your physical health but your mental health as well.
How To Stay Active In The Fall
Here are a few ideas and activities that you can try out to help get in some movement while nature goes through the change of season:
- Raking Leaves / Other Yardwork – Two birds, one stone here. Raking the leaves in your yard actually gives your arms and upper body a pretty good workout. Additionally, a recent study found that activities such as raking leaves can have some great health benefits, including improving cardiovascular function and lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Fun Fall Activities – There are plenty of fall-specific events that keep you moving as well, such as apple picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patch festivities. A quick Google search will allow you to plan a very fun Saturday with your family and/or friends.
- Go For A Quick Walk – Even if the weather isn’t ideal, you should still be able to squeeze in a quick walk each day. A study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry stated that a simple walk through nature can lower activity in stress-related brain regions and help your mental health.
- Try Out Yoga – Staying inside a yoga studio may not be your cup of tea during the warm summer months, but when the temperatures cool down, yoga is a very relaxing and beneficial workout alternative.
- Sign Up For A Dance Class…Or Just Dance – Who says staying active can’t be fun? Dance classes are a great way to stay moving, have fun, and meet new people. And if you’re shy about doing something like that, you can always throw on some music at home and dance like nobody’s watching…literally.
The living room may seem like a great option this fall, but try not to get stuck in that cycle of becoming a couch potato simply because of what it’s like outside. Stay active and keep up with your physical and mental health the best you can this autumn. Please note: For those participants who are on our Truehope program and in the process of discontinuing medications or recently off medications, we suggest that you monitor your exercise to no more than a light walk. Many medications are stored in the body, and exercise may cause them to be released back into the system. If you have questions please feel free to call and speak with one of our support representatives at our toll-free number 1-888-878-3467.