Fall is here, and while the leaves turning orange and cozy sweaters are great, the season also brings shorter days and colder weather, which can drain your energy. But fear not! Here are some simple, real-life tips to keep your energy high and avoid the fall slump. So you will still have the energy to do whatever you want to do and you won’t have to take a lot of naps to feel more energetic.
How to Keep Your Energy Levels High in Fall
1. Soak Up the Sun
Fall may not have summer’s long, sunny days, but you still need some sunlight for that all-important Vitamin D. Try to get outside during the day, even if it’s just for a 10-minute walk. Trust me, it helps boost your mood and keeps your energy up. And if you live somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine often during the colder months, it is still better to go outside. Going outside will wake up your body.
2. Stay Hydrated
It’s easy to forget about drinking water when it’s not blazing hot outside, but staying hydrated is key to keeping your body energized. Swap in some warm herbal teas if you need to, but keep those fluids coming! Bring a water bottle with you everywhere you go, and set reminders on your phone in case you always forget to drink water.
3. Embrace Seasonal Foods
Fall is full of delicious, nutrient-packed seasonal foods like pumpkins, squash, and apples. Incorporating these into your meals will keep your body fueled with vitamins and fiber, which helps avoid that sluggish feeling. Stay away from the highly processed food items and go for the seasonal fruit and veggies instead.
4. Get Moving
I know it’s tempting to curl up under a blanket and hibernate when it’s chilly outside, but regular movement keeps your energy levels high. Even just a quick home workout or a brisk walk can work wonders for keeping your blood flowing and your mood lifted. So if you are feeling a little bit sluggish, get up and go for a walk. Or turn on your favorite songs and start dancing. I promise you it will make a difference.
5. Prioritize Sleep
The days are shorter, so it’s natural to feel a little sleepier. Listen to your body and aim for a solid 7-9 hours of sleep. Create a bedtime routine to wind down and help you feel more refreshed in the mornings. This means to turn off your screens at least one hour before going to bed, and no exercise before bed. Find something that will make you feel relaxed (journaling or reading for example) and stick to it every single night.
6. Avoid Overloading on Comfort Foods
Comfort foods are the best in fall, right? But too much sugar or heavy meals can make you feel sluggish. Enjoy them in moderation and balance them out with lighter meals that give you sustained energy. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever have your favorite snacks again. It just means you eat them less often.
7. Stay Social
As the weather cools down, it’s easy to become a bit of a hermit. But spending time with friends and family, whether in person or virtually, can give you a big energy boost. Laughter and good vibes are energizers! Of course, it still depends on the other person if you are going to feel energized or not. There are people out there who are called energy vampires. They suck the energy out of you because they are always complaining and they are always super negative. They never have something positive to say.
8. Add Fun Fall Activities to Your Routine
Fall is such a cozy season, so why not make the most of it? Go apple picking, visit a pumpkin patch, or have a fall movie night with friends. Having fun things to look forward to can give you a mental energy boost too. Start planning one fun activity each day if you have the time. And this doesn’t mean you always have to go big. It can be something small. Maybe you want to read a book for an hour, but you never do. Make time for it now. On other days you can bake/cook something, go and watch a movie, go shopping, go out for a long walk, or get a cup of tea/coffee at your favorite place. Just do one thing you want to do each day.
With just a few changes, you can keep your energy levels high and fully enjoy everything fall has to offer. So grab your favorite scarf, sip on that hot tea, and take on the season feeling energized and ready for anything! 🍂🍁
Photo by Alex Vans-Colina on Unsplash