You can fall short, you can fall prey and you can even fall between the cracks. Seriously, why does the word fall (arguably the best season of the year, by the way) have to be associated with so many shortcomings? What if we took this opportunity … as the weather finally cools down, football parties abound and holidays approach … to turn things around? What if Fall 2024 was the chance to fall into healthy habits for 2024?

So, without further ado, Southshore PT presents Fall into Healthy Habits … part 2. (Who remembers part 1?)

Truth? I’ve been trying to do this myself recently. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. You can’t turn back the clock. But you can add years to that clock. And, even better, you can help make those years some of the best you’ve ever had by deciding now to make some adjustments. Just remember, in the paraphrased words of President Theodore Roosevelt, nothing worth having comes easily. Prepare to roll up your sleeves with me. You won’t be sorry.

Here are just a few of the changes we can all make together … starting today!

Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, fall into healthy habits, sleep, prevent dementia

Sleep. I am admittedly a terrible sleeper. I always have been. The difference between now and when I was younger is that now I actually want to sleep. As we discussed on this blog in the past, adequate rest can boost your health in a myriad of ways, but did you know it can also help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia? According to Medical News Today, a new study says as little as a 1% reduction in deep sleep each year for people over 60 years of age equals a 27% increased risk of developing dementia. So cut out the caffeine and heavy foods in the hours leading up to bedtime. Dim the lights. And put away the phone. Getting enough Zzzz’s is way more important than anything happening on Facebook.

Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, fall into healthy habits eat mindfully

Eat mindfully. Ever realize you’re barely hungry by the time you finish preparing dinner? A bite of this, a taste of that. It doesn’t count if you’re just sampling the ingredients as they go into the recipe, right? What about the treats that keep showing up at the office? Or the chips you ate in the car? Or the just-before-bed bowl of cereal? Snacking … it should be listed among the Seven Deadly Sins. By taking a moment to think about what we’re eating, we learn to listen to appetite cues. For some (and by some, I mean me), it helps to track what we eat each day. There’s a lot of great apps, but paper and pen work fine, too. What I like about the app I use (My Fitness Pal) is that it provides a full nutrition panel that includes calories, fat, fiber, sugar, sodium and much more. 

Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, fall into healthy habits, hydrate, Lee Couret Jessica Couret

Hydrate. We live in 2024 where designer water bottles can literally be coordinated with your daily wardrobe. It’s a glorious time to be alive in the wonderful world of hydration. Yet numerous media outlets, including ABC News and Forbes, are reporting “an estimated 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration.” Drinking enough water is apparently harder than we think. The general rule of thumb is the average person needs half of his or her body weight in ounces of water. In other words, a 150-lb person requires a minimum of 75 ounces of water daily. And take note of the word minimum. Strenuous exercise, extreme heat conditions and other factors can bump that number up even higher. Want some tips on upping your daily intake? Click here.

Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, fall into healthy habits, listen to your PT, keep moving as you get older

Follow your physical therapist’s advice. Stretching exercises for your legs? Lifting weights to keep your shoulders and arms strong? Icing your back before and after neighborhood walks? Prioritize the homework your PT gives you even if it means putting it on your to-do list and setting an alarm reminder every day. People are living longer in today’s world. But there’s a lot more to living than just breathing in and out. As explained on WebMd, “Fitness culture is now full of discussions of the distinction between ‘lifespan’ (how long a person might live) and ‘healthspan’ (the period of life when you’re generally healthy and free of serious or chronic illness).” Simply put, lifespan is quantity of life, while healthspan is quality. After all, what good is living to be 100 years old if you’re unable to get out and enjoy every minute of it?

Happy Fall, everyone!

Will you be making any changes to fall into healthy habits for 2024? Let us know next time you’re at the clinic so we can cheer you on!

Michele Robert Poche