Fall gets busy fast. School is back, schedules tend to fill up and suddenly, the holidays don’t feel that far away. But before winter creeps up on you, it’s worth making time for a few important health tasks.
“Fall is a good opportunity to check in on some of the things that can be easy to put off during the year,” says Rebecca Kaplan, APRN, with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. “A little planning now can help you head into the colder months feeling more prepared.”
So while you’re making your fall plans, add a few of these health tasks to the list.
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1. Check which vaccines you may need
Respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV start circulating during the fall and winter months.
That makes fall a good time to check whether there’s any seasonal vaccines recommended for you.
“Which vaccines you need can depend on your age, health history and other risk factors,” Kaplan says. “If you aren’t sure what you’re due for, your doctor or pharmacist can help you figure it out.”
A quick check now can help make sure you’re up to date before cold and flu season really picks up.
> Related: Can Cold Weather Really Make You Sick?
2. Take stock of your medications
When was the last time you actually looked through your medicine cabinet?
Fall is a good time to check whether prescriptions need refills and clear out any medications you no longer use or that expired.
“It’s also a good opportunity to make sure your medication list is accurate,” Kaplan says. “That includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and any vitamins or supplements you take regularly.”
And if you’re running low on a prescription, don’t wait until holiday travel or a busy week to realize you need a refill.
> Related: Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves: What a Doctor Says You Really Need
3. Get ahead of seasonal allergies and asthma
Fall isn’t the end of allergy season.
For some people, it’s the worst time of year thanks to allergens like ragweed pollen and mold, and colder air that can aggravate asthma.
“If you know your symptoms tend to flare at a certain time of year, it helps to have a plan before they become difficult to control,” Kaplan says. “That may mean checking that you have the medications or inhalers you need and knowing when to contact your doctor.”
And if your symptoms feel different this year, don’t assume it’s automatically your usual seasonal allergies.
> Related: Why Your Allergies Might Be Worse in the Fall (or the Spring)
4. Give your sleep schedule a reset
Shorter days and changing schedules can throw sleep off more than you might realize.
Maybe you’re still accustomed to a later summer bedtime, or your evenings are suddenly packed again.
“Consistency is one of the most helpful things you can give your sleep schedule,” Kaplan says. “Try to keep your bedtime and wake-up time relatively steady, even when your routine gets busier.”
And if you’re getting enough sleep but still feel exhausted day after day, bring it up with your doctor.
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5. Make a plan for staying active when it gets colder
It’s easy to rely on walks, outdoor activities or yard work for movement when the days are warm.
Then the sun starts setting earlier and the temperature drops.
“Thinking ahead can make it easier to stay active when your normal routine changes,” Kaplan says. “You may want to identify a few indoor options you enjoy before the weather limits what you usually do outside.”
That could mean walking somewhere indoors, taking a class, using exercise equipment at home or just changing what time of day you’re active.
You don’t need a whole new fitness routine, just a backup plan for when cold weather hits.
> Related: 7 Easy Ways to Sneak in Exercise Without Going to the Gym
6. Schedule the appointments you’ve been putting off
Fall can also be a good time to catch up on the care you might have been putting off.
You might be overdue for a health screening or have been meaning to ask your doctor about a symptom that keeps coming back.
Now’s the time to get it on the calendar.
“Preventive care gives us a chance to look at your health before there’s necessarily a problem,” Kaplan says. “It’s also an opportunity to talk about anything that’s changed since your last visit.”
You don’t have to cram every appointment into the fall, but getting it scheduled is half the battle.
> Related: 7 Ways to Deal With Seasonal Affective Disorder
7. Pay attention to how the season affects your mood
For some people, the shift into fall brings more than colder weather.
Less daylight can come with changes in mood, energy, sleep and motivation. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that follows a recurring seasonal pattern.
“If you notice your mood consistently changing as the seasons change, especially if it’s affecting your daily life, talk to your doctor,” Kaplan says. “You don’t have to wait until symptoms become severe to bring them up.”
