10 Ways To Boost Your Energy In the Fall

Let's face it, fall is about getting cozy, slowing down, and enjoying the changing, crisp weather. This is my favorite season. I have to remember to keep my energy level up when the sunshine is gone, and I can easily crawl under a blanket. Here are 10 ways to boost your energy in the fall:

1. Catch all the zzz's

No matter the season — getting a good night's sleep is always a must. Sleeping enough is the easiest way to ensure you will feel well-rested and energized throughout the day. To boost your energy in the fall, try to get a solid 7 hours (or more) of sleep each night.

For example, these tips from the Sleep Foundation can help you achieve better sleep:

• Stick to a consistent sleep and wake schedule
• Reduce caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake
• Avoid electronic devices in the leadup to bedtime
• Ensure that you have a quiet, dark, and comfortably cool sleep environment free of distractions
• Keep naps to 30 minutes or less and not too close to bedtime
• Use the bedroom for sleep and sex only
• Go into another room if you cannot sleep after 20 minutes — only return to bed once you feel sleepy

Looking for some extra help to get the deep relaxing sleep your body so deeply desires? Moodporium has a plethora of products to choose from. Go ahead, take your sleep to the next level with any one of these.

2. Vitamin D

If you live in Western Pennsylvania, like me, you are most likely deficient in Vitamin D. Since Vitamin D is vital for making our muscles work efficiently and boosting energy levels, it's critical to find a Vitamin D supplement to help boost your energy in the fall.

As autumn leaves begin to fall and sweater weather kicks in, the sun — especially on the east coast — becomes less apt to make an appearance, so I recommend two things:

1. Get tested to see if you are Vitamin D deficient and if so, just how deficient you are
2. Pick up a Vitamin D supplement.

Amazingly enough, my personal favorite Vitamin D supplement is available on Amazon. You can pick it up here.

Additionally, if you want to naturally boost your energy in the fall with foods that are high in Vitamin D — Harvard University recommends the following:

• Cod liver oil
• Salmon
• Swordfish
• Tuna fish
• Orange juice fortified with vitamin D
• Dairy and plant milks fortified with vitamin D
• Sardines
• Beef liver
• Egg yolk
• Fortified cereals

3. Seasonal Affective Disorder

Firstly, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "SAD is a type of depression related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months."

Also, if you're just learning about SAD, the Mayo Clinic shares its comprehensive list of signs and symptoms that may include:

• Feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy and feeling sluggish
• Having problems with sleeping too much
• Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
• Having thoughts of not wanting to live

Additionally, fall or winter-onset SAD is notoriously known for symptoms like:

• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Tiredness or low energy
  
  Despite the hold that SAD can have on people during the fall and winter months, a few solutions exist to help you combat SAD and boost your energy in the fall. According to the Mayo Clinic, light box therapy is incredibly helpful: "Starting light box therapy in early autumn may help prevent SAD from developing during the winter months. Light boxes or light therapy lamps mimic outdoor light by emitting broad-spectrum ultraviolet light. Sitting in front of a lamp for a mere 30 minutes a day can have great benefits."

Need more help to get your SAD under control? Reach out to your doctor — they can help put a treatment plan in place to get you through the darker seasons.

4. Get outside and get moving

One of the best ways to boost your energy in the fall is to get physical. Movement, of any kind, will ensure that your energy levels don't flatline.

Need some motivation to move your body? I've got you covered — for example, here are some of my favorite fall activities:

• Apple picking at a local orchard
• Biking
• Dancing in the kitchen (no rules apply — just get funky with it)
• Exploring a local pumpkin patch or farm
• Going bowling
• Hiking
• Playing football
• Raking leaves
• Trekking through a corn maze

I know it can be hard to find the motivation to keep moving as the colder months set in, but trust me — your body will thank you for it in the long run.

5. Try cold water therapy

Whether you hop into your shower under a stream of freezing cold water or you take a cold plunge, keep one thing in mind — cold water therapy works wonders. By getting the blood circulating, cold water therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve your sleep, and boost immunity.

Not up for a cold plunge or stepping into an icy cold shower? Start off simple. First, put your face into an ice bath of water. Then, hold your head under for 10 to 15 seconds up to three to five times. This is a perfect way to add cold water therapy to your autumnal self-care routine.

6. THCv

Looking for a way to naturally boost your energy in the fall this year? Try products with THCv in them. Not only will this natural cannabinoid help you stay motivated and alert, but it will help your energy level reach new levels.

If you're new to THCv, here is the lowdown: "Tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCv, is a cannabinoid known to produce a more motivated, alert, and energizing feeling. Research shows that it can also help reduce or even prevent anxiety and panic attacks. Unlike THC, THCV works to suppress the appetite, so it is not recommended for people who have eating disorders. There is also research that shows that THCv helps to reduce blood sugar and manage diabetes."

Thinking that you could benefit from a little THCv in your life this fall? You've made the right choice, indeed. Check out all these Moodporium-approved options.

7. Tea time

Every morning after I tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, I pour myself a cup of ambition ... except I'm not reaching for coffee. Instead, I am drinking a cup of Yerba Mate tea.

Unsure about Yerba Mate? Here's what you need to know, according to WebMD: "Yerba mate provides an energy boost due to its high caffeine content, which is linked to increased alertness, improved concentration, reduced fatigue, and enhanced physical performance." Not only is this tea a natural way to boost your energy during the fall, but it's also a good source of: 

• Antioxidants
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
  
  The blend that I use not only provides me with energy but also helps my libido. If you're premenopausal like me, Yerba Mate tea is a must-try. You can check out Amazon for endless Yerba Mate options.

8. Aromatherapy

I love aromatherapy — especially citrus scents. For a natural way to boost your energy in the fall, I highly recommend keeping citrus-centric aromatherapy products around. For example, lemon, tangerine, orange...anything zesty will help improve your emotional and physical energy.

Personally, my favorite way to use these aromatherapy scents is to pour a few drops into the shower each morning. Also, I recommend using a diffuser — especially in the bathroom. In other words, just spritz in your favorite scents, and voila — you will instantly feel relief from just a whiff or two of these powerful, healing scents.

Look at Moodporium's aromatherapy products here — you can't go wrong with adding these to your daily routine.

9. Dance it out

Looking for a quick way to boost your energy in the fall? Dance. Indeed, this may seem like a no-brainer, too good to be true recommendation but actually, it works.

If you've never done it before, dancing like no one is watching is a great way to give your body a feeling of joy and celebration. Besides, dancing your ass off — all you have to do is put your favorite song or playlist on and get to moving. Furthermore, what I'm saying is that you don't need to move your body like Jennifer Lopez or Cardi B, just do your own thing.

Why will this help boost energy though? Dancing will encourage endorphins to release in your body, and before you know it — you'll feel good from head to toe. After all, It's amazing what endorphins can do.

10. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

This may seem like a no-brainer, but staying hydrated can actually help boost your energy in the fall.

Without a doubt, keeping up with your water intake is key. Why? When you're dehydrated, that alone can affect your mood — making you a little cranky, tired, and miserable.

Not sure how much water you should be drinking? According to The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, adequate daily fluid intake is:

• About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men
• About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
  
  In summary, staying hydrated will help maintain your energy level and keep your body functioning correctly.

Ready to fall into this season?

With all these helpful ways to boost your energy in the fall, I want you to keep one thing in mind — nature slows down during this season, so you should do that too. While keeping your energy level high will help you survive the transition from summer to the colder days ahead, remembering to allow yourself to fall into the season yourself is important.