CHANGING SEASONS

Can you believe it’s September!?! That is what so many people are asking. Where did the summer go? Is it really over?  It’s hard to believe that summer is over. Though saying goodbye to summer is not always easy, we hope that   these ideas and tips can help you to embrace the transition into another exciting season....

Be Kind with the Rewind

With each new season, we have to adjust and make some changes, like preparing for Daylight saving time.  This can be hard for people who don’t like shorter days and longer nights.  

• Make your home “sunny”: To keep your house light with less sunshine, try using extra lamps, change the light bulb to something brighter, or decorate with colorful pillows, pictures or throws.

• Catch some rays: Take a few minutes each day to stand by a window, or if the weather permits, take a walk during the day to enjoy some sunlight. For those of you who are at work, at break times, try eating your healthy snack outside (weather permitting) or near a window.

• Fill your calendar: Make plans with friends and family – have activities to look forward to, like hosting a pot-luck dinner, throwing a football party, or joining (or starting) a book or movie club.

Ways to Stay Healthy and Active (and have some Fall fun too!)

• New season, new TV shows: Pair your favorite shows with a great workout. For example, during a one-hour show, march in place during the commercials.  You could walk up to 2100 extra steps =  approximately 1 mile = approximately 150 calories burned!  Or challenge yourself and do push-ups during one set of commercials and lounges during the next, and jumping jacks during the next.  Viola, instant gym!  If you have equipment at home, try exercising for the full episode.  Just don’t forget to keep challenging yourself.

• Fall Spices: Try out some Fall dishes with spices like cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice. Cinnamon has great health benefits – research suggests it helps reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Sprinkle some cinnamon on sliced apples (also a favorite Fall food,  packed with cholesterol-lowering fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C!).

• Better sleep – Sleeping in cooler temperatures and more of a routine may help improve sleep, which can boost mood and reduce stress

Got kids?

Getting back into the swing of school may be hard on the kids (and you too, if you are taking classes), but Fall is also a fun time of year.  Here are some suggestionsfor families with children (or grandchildren!):

• Favorite holidays - Halloween and Thanksgiving will be here soon. Ask your kids what they want to dress up as for Halloween, how they want to carve the pumpkin, how they can help prepare Thanksgiving dinner, or what they are thankful for.

• Exploring nature - Enjoy the Fall air by taking a hike or nature walk to notice the colorful leaves, or go apple or pumpkin picking at a local orchard (if location permits)

• Each week make a Fall-inspired dish as a family, like butternut squash macaroni and cheese: http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/recipe-makeovers/light-macaroni-cheese-00412000072555/index.html

Final Thoughts

Focus on the uniqueness of Fall, includingwithwarmer clothes, cooler nights, colorful foliage, and special holidays.  Ease into the season with the  ideas in this blog, or share your own between friends, family, and co-workers. 

Since Fall does bring on busier schedules, shorter days and darker nights, if you find that you are struggling to adjust or notice a change in your mood, please contact   your medical team at SHaaz@corporatehealthsolutions.com or your Carebridge EAP.   Carebridge service is available 7/24/365. Contact Carebridge at 1-800-437-0911 or by emailing clientservice@carebridge.com.