5 ways to stay healthy this fall according to experts

5 ways to stay healthy this fall according to experts5 ways to stay healthy this fall according to expertsIf youre like most people, youre psyched to embrace everything thefallhas to bring. You havesweaters to buyandPSLs to drink,football partiesto host, andpumpkins to carve. For adults, it might not beback to schoolseason, but it can mucksmuschenstill feel like an exciting time for fresh starts and positive vibes.Its not all cozy autumn flavors and snuggly outfits, though. Along withfallcomes a slew of seasonal-specific health issues and concerns. Heres what to look out for, as well as expert advice on how to stay healthy.1. Iffy indoor air qualitySpring is often considered the trickiest season for allergy sufferers, but the less-than-optimal air quality of many indoor spaces means that fall can be just as challenging for your nose, ears, eyes, and throat.Cold weather pushes people indoors for extended periods of time, with greater use of fireplaces, gas heaters, and other fuel-burn ing appliances, which can increase the levels of indoor air contaminants like carbon monoxide and wood smoke, the experts at air quality engineering companyMolekulenote.You can improve the air quality in your home during the fall months by staying on top of dust buildup on your floors, using a dehumidifier, cracking windows, using exhaust fans, and avoiding synthetic fragrances in the cleaning supplies you buy.2.Seasonal affective disorder(SAD)Triggered by changes in the seasons, SAD is a type ofdepressionthat tends to affectmore women than men, per doctor, author, stress management expert, andNutritional Magnesium Associationmedical director Carolyn Dean. Thedisordercan make you feel moody andanxious, make it difficult to get up in the morning, negatively impact your ability to concentrate, and cause cravings for less-than-healthy foods.Unfortunately, most of us get lessvitamin Dwhen the weather turns colder, which is responsible for changes in hormone levels that can cause SAD.Vit amin D and magnesium supplementscan help re-balance those hormones.3.ColdsWith people spending more time inside as temperatures drop - especially with the windows closed - cold germs are prone to spreading more furiously than they did in the spring and summer.Margot White, health educator and founder of healthy beauty and wellness boutiqueThe Choosy Chick, advises regularhand washingand a good hand sanitizer to stop those germs in their tracks. Hand sanitizers produced without harsh chemicals can also help guard againstdry skin, an issue that also flares up in the drier fall climate.4. Itchy skinA lack of vitamin D absorption canalso show in your skin, according to dermatologist andRealSelfcontributor Dr. Joel Schlessinger. Combined with reduced moisture in the air, this can result in chronicallydry, itchy skin. Fight this discomfort by using ahumidifier, taking lukewarm showers, avoiding rough fabrics, and usingcream or liquid foundations, rather than powder. Taking a vitamin D s upplement can help as well.5.The FluYou might feel like you can put offflu precautionsuntil fall turns to winter, but youd be mistaken. According to Dr. Tony Yuan, associate medical director atDoctor on Demand, the flu can start spreading much sooner than expected, even as early as October. Getting a flu shot now is a great way to get ahead of the illness ASAP.My best advice to prepare for the flu season is just being aware, Yuan tells us. This means being aware of your surroundings and conscious of areas that pose a high risk for infection.Dont be afraid to politely decline a hug or handshake from someone whos recently had the flu. You can owe them one laterThis article first appeared on Brit + Co.