7 Healthy Reasons to Get Excited for Fall

Pumpkins are a Plenty

Pumpkins are good for a lot more than festive decor! Take advantage of their bounty by trying new ways to fit pumpkin into your diet.

New Season, New TV Shows

The end of summer means the end of reruns. While we don't recommend parking in front of the TV every night, tuning in for your weekly faves can have its perks. Instead of heading to the kitchen during commercial breaks, stand up and march in place.

It's All About the Apples

The old adage 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' has a lot of truth, Canfield says. "Apples truly are one of nature's best diet foods. They fill you up for only about 100 calories, and they're packed with cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. And studies have shown that apple eaters have a lower risk of suffering heart disease, strokes, and metabolic syndrome."

Football Fans Unite

Getting together with friends and family to cheer on your favorite team is a healthy way to boost your well-being, says Coral Arvon, PhD, director of behavioral health and wellness at Pritikin. "Many studies over the years have found that people generally live longer, happier, healthier lives if they have a strong network of support from friends and family," Arvon says

Cooler (but Not Cold) Temps

Exercising in the great outdoors relieves more stress and boosts energy levels better than sweating inside the gym, according to English researchers. And when it comes to outdoor workouts, trading the summer sun for cooler autumn days is always a welcome change.

Seasonal Spices

Cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla, nutmeg, and cloves are quintessential scents of fall, and they offer plenty of health benefits to boot. Cinnamon, for example, may help reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Resume Your Regular Routine

Regular exercise and getting enough sleep are two of the best things you can do for your health, so take this opportunity to create a workout schedule and stick with a bedtime that's right for your body's needs.