Fall Wellness

By Sage Thee

Wellness, particularly mental wellness, is incredibly important to me, especially as we creep ever so slowly into autumn. While fall is my favorite season, it can be challenging to fully enjoy the cooler months when fielding allergies, hay fever, flu season, and the general malaise brought on by Seasonal Affective Disorder.

The most effective tool in my physical and mental wellness arsenal is my daily nature walk, be it a quick stroll along the Jordan River Parkway Trail, a hike to Cecret Lake, or even just a lap or two around my neighborhood. The sunlight does wonders for mental health—from helping form a healthy sleep schedule to overall mood improvement, even just a little bit of a sunlight a day can be massively helpful if you’re struggling with mental health issues.

Our physical and mental wellness are intrinsically linked to one another; if we take good care of our bodies, our mental health will begin to improve as well. Exercise is an integral part of this—our bodies need to be active, whatever “active” looks like for us. 

All of our bodies have limits, and it is essential not to try and force them into something they are not able to or ready to do. Exercise is healthy and important, however, which is why it is critical to figure out what works for you. Exercising releases endorphins to the brain that can improve mood. Regular exercise is shown to lower stress levels and give your brain a more expansive capacity for joy and pleasure! Those things will come regardless of your body type. Do not try to force your body to be something that it isn’t; you are perfectly wonderful just as you are.

Our bodies are extraordinary machines—they get us from place to place, they keep us breathing and living and working and moving, and we should be kinder to them. Give your body a “thank you” today. You are still here, still breathing and living and working and moving, and that is miraculous.