Alerts:  Nov. 12, 2024: Pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak confirmed in Spokane County. SRHD urges parents and pregnant people to vaccinate. Read the press release.

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Your Fall Guide to Better Health this Season!

Your Fall Guide to Better Health this Season!

October 10, 2023

There are so many fun activities to look forward to as the weather turns a new leaf and fall settles in. From pulling out our favorite cozy sweaters to carving pumpkins and gearing up for the holidays, cooler weather can give us a much-needed break from the extreme heat we experienced this summer. However, it's also the beginning of cold and flu season.

We know... not so much fun...but everyone can take steps to protect their health and reduce the number of sick days their family takes. That’s why we’ve put together a little guide to connect your favorite fall essentials to ways you can promote better health and keep your family safe as the weather continues to cool. Let’s take a look!

Cozy Scarves

Cozy Scarves

Cozy scarves are a reminder to think about how you can adjust your wardrobe for the cooler weather. While we love a shorts and tank top kind of day, summer weather has neared its end, and it's time to consider how we can bundle up properly for the fall and winter seasons.

Incorporating warmer layers back into your wardrobe such as long-sleeved tees, sweaters, and light jackets is a great way to keep yourself warm and protect your health too. Exposure to colder weather, especially as we near winter, can affect everything from your circulatory system to your immune system—making it harder to fight off seasonal illnesses like the cold and flu.

Superhero Capes

Superhero Capes

Superhero capes are a reminder that the spookiest and most candy-filled night of the year is just around the corner. However, Halloween is also the recommended day to receive your flu shot by if you haven't already. Just like superheroes who watch over their community to protect against threats, you can help protect your family against the threat of flu season by getting your flu shots!

Getting vaccinated can help minimize the level of transmission in our community and reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalization from flu—lessening the strain put on our healthcare workers too. Now, that's a superhero at work! Find a location to get your flu shot at: Vaccines.gov - Search for flu vaccine locations

Pumpkins

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a reminder to carve out a little time for yourself this season. We know there are plenty of activities to enjoy this fall, but don't forget to take time to rest and relax. Enjoying time for yourself is okay and can help prevent feelings of burnout. It's also okay to politely decline invitations that don't fit in with your schedule or might require more energy than you have to give.

Setting good boundaries now can also help reduce the stress and pressure that upcoming holiday to-do lists and get-togethers can cause. We want to remind you that there are plenty of ways to enjoy the new season without overexerting yourself. May we suggest enjoying apple cider while cozying up to watch your favorite Halloween movie?

Apple Pie, Pumpkin Spice, and Everything Nice...

Apple Pie, Pumpkin Spice, and Everything Nice...

What do your favorite fall foods and drinks have in common? Their distinctive, yet delicious scents can also be found in hand sanitizers and soaps! Washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when you're not able to is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and keep your family healthy this season.

Whether you prefer pumpkin spice, apple pie, or cinnamon sugar, you can almost guarantee you'll find the perfect fall-scented soaps for your bathroom or hand sanitizer for your car or purse.

Happy Fall, Yall!

Fall is a fun season for so many reasons, and we're excited to see everyone get out there and enjoy it! We just want to make sure you have a chance to do it safely. That way an unexpected cold or more serious illness like flu doesn't prevent you from making the most of the leaves changing. Remember, we can all take steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy, and in doing so, we can help protect our community too! Now, does anyone know where we can get a Pumpkin Spice Latte?