It’s here! The Autumnal Equinox of 2023 has officially arrived. What does this mean to you? To some it means pumpkin spice everything ad nauseam, slowing plant life, hoodies and football. Others appreciate falling temperatures, gorgeous colors, later sunrise and earlier nightfall.
MOON
My blog research this week yielded some interesting trivia about the Autumnal Equinox involving its relationship with the Moon. The full Moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox is always called the “Harvest Moon.” Wanna know why?
FARMING
The moon was helping our farmers out. Around the fall equinox, the full moon rises around sunset for several nights in a row, providing farmers with enough extra light to finish their harvests before the frosts set in.
BEAUTIFUL
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas or colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”
-Vincent Van Gogh
HEALTH BENEFITS OF FALL
It’s true. There are health benefits of the Fall season. Foods prevalent in the fall are rich in healthy nutrients. They include…
- Pumpkins
- Apples
- Brussel sprouts
- Nutmeg
- Pears
- Squash
- Pomegranates
- Cranberries
Zzzzzzzz…
Another health benefit of the season is an extra hour of sleep. We tend to get a bit more rest as the sun sets earlier, which is excellent for our bodies. Research has shown that good quality sleep is linked to the reduction of heart disease and obesity.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Rootwholebody.com says research also shows that the lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. Interesting. It goes on to say that “Social connection increases longevity by up to 50%, strengthens your immune system, helps you recover from disease faster and reduces anxiety and depression. Having strong social connections reaps huge benefits in emotional and physical well-being.”
SCORCHER
Along with the rest of the country, here in “The Q” we had a scorcher of a summer. It made outdoor activities taxing. Now that those 100 degree temperatures are in the rearview mirror, we can more easily get outdoors to walk, bike, hike and play outdoor sports. Even if you aren’t in the position to exert yourself, just stepping outside for a breath of fresh fall air and enjoying the gorgeous colors the season promises might do you a world of good.
PLAN FOR FALL
- Get plenty of rest and adhere to regular bedtime and wake-up times.
- Incorporate healthy foods that are available to us seasonally.
- Don’t become sedentary. Restorative exercise is critical for a healthy mind, body and soul.
- Remember sunscreen and proper hydration are still necessary.
- Colds, flu and an uptake in Covid are upon us. Stay in contact with your healthcare provider if you require testing, screening, vaccinations, supplements or medication to maintain optimum health as the seasons change.
HDD
As always, we are here to fulfill any of your diagnostic ultrasound needs during the Fall and every season of the year! Call us at 505-350-3397.