patient-receiving-vaccine-shot After a long, hot summer, the fall season is right around the corner. This is a wonderful time of year, but as with any other season, there are certain health issues that people need to be more aware of during the autumn months. This is why the family healthcare providers here at Family Practice Center thought it would be helpful to provide the following fall season health checklist to help everyone feel their best all autumn long:

Enjoy Time Spent Outdoors

  • Cooler fall weather and more mild conditions make the fall a great time for outdoor physical activity.
  • Get regular daily exercise which can help keep you fit, boost your immunity, and also help improve your mental health and wellness.
  • In addition to jogging or walking, we recommend hiking, biking, yoga, playing fall sports, or even something as simple as yard work just to be active and outside instead of on the couch.

Get Your Updated Vaccinations

  • Influenza (the flu) is the most common illness associated with this time of year.
  • It can be harmful to people of all ages, but especially so for older adults, younger kids, and people with certain preexisting health conditions like asthma.
  • Getting an annual flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu, or significantly limit its effects in cases where you catch it, and we now have them available.
  • Additionally, the pneumonia vaccine (PREVNAR 20®) for those 50 and older and Seasonal COVID vaccination, as those are other respiratory infections that are more common in the fall and winter, are highly recommended.

Adjust Your Diet As Needed

  • As the weather changes, our bodies naturally crave foods that provide warmth, comfort and nutrients needed to boost our health and immunity.
  • Hearty soups and stews loaded with lean proteins and vegetables can provide essential proteins and vitamins.
  • Foods that are rich in vitamin D like yogurt, salmon, and orange juice to name a few can help make up for the lack of sun exposure during this time of year.

Think About Year-End Health Appointments

  • Many people put off certain annual appointments until the later portion of the year.
  • It’s important to get these appointments in before the new year begins in order to make the most of your health insurance coverage, so we recommend scheduling sooner than later.
  • An annual wellness appointment is always highly recommended, but don’t forget about eye exams, specialist visits like dermatology, and others before the start of the new year.

The Keys To a Happy & Healthy Fall

Our hope is that following these steps will help our readers make the most of their fall season and feel their best as we edge closer to the end of the year. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Family Practice Center to schedule an appointment at one of our nine metro Atlanta area locations.