Supporting Your Health this Fall

How You Can Support Your family’s Health this Autumn

The fall brings with it cooler temperatures, back-to-school season, and plenty of seasonal activities and sports to participate in with friends and family. Just like the summertime, there is plenty that you can do to effectively prepare you and your loved ones for the seasonal shift. We’ve outlined some tips below to help you keep your family happy and healthy all autumn long

Stay Up-to-Date on Your Physical

Although most healthy people do not need to get a checkup every year, keeping regular appointments with your primary care doctor can help to support your health—beyond one-off health concerns. Your primary doctor should be your first line of contact when it comes to your health, understanding your risks, and helping you to effectively reduce those risks.

When you stay on track with your physical exams, your primary doctor is able to get a well-rounded view of your current physical health and an idea of what you can do to improve your health and prevent the development of chronic diseases and conditions.

When you get your annual wellness check, your doctor may be monitoring your health for the following conditions:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Mental health issues
• Various types of cancer

If your doctor notices any pattern or changes in your health, they can point you in the direction of the appropriate specialist to get you the proper care you need. When health conditions are detected early, you’re more likely to receive effective treatment.

Get Your Flu Shot

Although millions of Americans get the flu each year, tens of thousands are hospitalized and even die from flu-related complications each year. Fortunately, by getting you and your family vaccinated each year, you can effectively protect yourself against the flu, reducing your risk of getting sick or experiencing flu-related health complications.

Some of the many benefits of getting the seasonal influenza vaccine include:

• Getting vaccinated is the single best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu.
• Helps to protect people with chronic health conditions from getting sick.
• Even if you do get sick, it reduces the severity of the infection.
• It can be life-saving for babies and young children.
• Getting vaccinated protects those in your community who can’t.

It is recommended that you get the seasonal flu vaccination every six months to ensure that you are immunized for the current strain of the virus that is circulating. Be sure to speak with your doctor to discuss if getting the flu shot is right for you, considering there are a select few people who are deemed unable to get vaccinated.

Get Out and Get Moving

How Staying Active Supports Your Health

While the temperatures begin to decline and we get ready for cozier weather, we may find ourselves tempted to spend more time sitting and lounging around indoors. While it can be beneficial to relax every now and then, spending too much time performing sedentary behaviors can be detrimental to your health,

Increasing your risk for developing the following health conditions:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Obesity
• Mental health issues
• Decreased effectiveness of your immune system
• Arthritis and inflammation
• Hormonal imbalances

Outdoor Fall Activities

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is recommended that adults get about 150 minutes of physical activity each week—which translates to about 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days out of the week. Fortunately, there are plenty of outdoor activities that you and your family can engage in to count toward your weekly goals.

Some of these activities include:

• Pumpkin picking
• Corn mazes
• Gardening
• Hiking trails
• Bike riding
• Touch football
• Raking leaves
• Talking a walk
• Go to the zoo

Eat a Healthy, Seasonal Diet

Did you know that eating fruits and vegetables that are in season can actually provide you with higher nutritional value than eating those that aren’t? Rather than needing to be preserved with waxes and sprays to extend shelf-life during transportation and storage, foods that are in season are fresher, brighter, and packed full of essential nutrients.

Healthy fruits and vegetables that are in season during the fall that you can add to your grocery list include:

• Apples
• Carrots
• Cabbages
• Kale
• Pumpkin
• Potatoes
• Peas
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli
• Bell peppers
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Cranberries
• Collard greens
• Beets
• Grapes

Stay Hydrated

While the temperatures are finally starting to decline, you may find yourself reaching for waterless and less often. However, the benefits of staying properly hydrated extend into the fall too.

When you drink the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses of water each you can reap the following benefits:

• Helps your body to transport nutrients to your cells more efficiently.
• Keeps your bowel movements regular and prevents constipation.
• Regulates blood pressure.
• Prevents dehydration.

If you have a hard time getting your little one to drink water, there are plenty of fruits and veggies that are high in water content that help to keep them adequately hydrated.

Try adding these to your shopping list:

• Celery
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Carrots
• Kale
• Broccoli

Primary and Specialty Care in Henry County

At Henry County Hospital, we have been providing compassionate healthcare since 1919. When it comes to primary and specialty care, each patient can expect individualized care that meets their needs. From education to emotional support, we focus on your individual health and wellness.