Healthy Habits This Fall

Four Partners on The Most Important Healthy Habits This Fall

When pumpkin spiced latte cravings have us treating ourselves before 9am and fall TV favorites make it easy to second guess evening runs, we know fall’s cozy creature comforts are here to snuggle us into submission. As important as it is to enjoy a seasonal treat and a break from routine, staying committed to healthy habits through the season is key to feeling our best all fall long. For us, that means wellness challenges for a touch of competition and staying inspired by healthy friends. This way, we feel empowered to balance yoga dates, the occasional grande maple latte, and an evening of Outlander and a bowl of gluten-free pasta.

While we love a good healthy habit challenge (see our recent Euphebe challenge), we wanted to know what our healthy partners do to maintain their own healthy habits during the fall season. Here are the favorite healthy habits, ways to motivate and worth-it indulgences from some of our most inspiring partners.

Diana Mitrea, VP of Brand Marketing, NEO Fifth

Healthy Habits

I have a few healthy habits I maintain through fall. I try to workout at least once per day during the workweek, then take yoga on Saturday and rest on Sunday. I also really, really, REALLY try to get as much sleep as possible. If I find myself playing on my phone or watching TV at night, I shut that down as quickly as possible and trade it in for some quality sleep. I’m better off sleeping for an hour than watching TV for an hour. I also pack my lunch. This requires some planning and preparation, so it can be tough to accomplish every day, but I always find that on the days I pack lunch that my whole day feels better, healthier and more accomplished.

How do you do it?

How do I stick to my routine in the fall? It’s a routine! It’s easy to stick to a routine if it’s become routine. These things are embedded in me for every season so no matter what I make sure these things get done. The tough part is when people try and adopt a new habit. They say you have to do something for 100 days before it becomes a habit – so you might as well start now!

Indulgences?

My favorite fall indulgences are hot teas. LOVE a good hot drink in the evening before headed to bed.

Nadja Pinnavaia, Founder, Euphebe

Healthy Habits

I avoid sugar and refined grains whenever I can. For breakfast I have a slice of Ezekiel toast topped with 1/4 avocado, a handful of baby spinach leaves and sometimes an egg. For lunch, I will often have a Euphebe meal which can be anything from a hearty soup with seed crackers to a Hippie Brunch Burrito (with whole grain tortilla, of course!). If I am eating out, I’ll pop down to Le Pain Quotidien and have one of their vegetarian soups (I like the lentil soup) or sometimes the avocado sandwich on seed bread. I’ve also cut out weekday drinking unless it’s a special occasion.

How do you do it?

I find fall actually easier than summer as there is less rose calling my name. I am pretty consistent in my eating habits which is why fall isn’t that different to other months and easier than summer! I find scheduling is important. If I schedule a run or a gym class, or a 20 min meditation in my calendar, I am more likely to stick to it. What motivates me is how I feel. If I have a series of dinners out, and I’m not able to eat exactly as I want, I feel gross. So I naturally want to go “back on my wagon.” The tightness of my jeans is also a good reminder of when I need to rein it in a little!

Indulgences?

Sharing a full-bodied bottle of Barolo

Erika Zauner, CEO at HealthKick

Healthy Habits

Getting in an a.m. workout, even if it’s just 30 minutes, helps me start the day energized and with a clear head. It also keeps me powered through the day from meetings to after work events. It can be tempting to hit snooze a few extra times instead, but it’s so worth it once you realize how much more productive and alert you feel all day long. I also learned from Donna Sonkin the importance of eating seasonally both for the freshest produce but also to provide your body the nourishment it needs at that time of year. Roasted root veggies are a hearty fave of mine or cutting up apples and butternut squash, sprinkling with cinnamon and baking them in the oven. It tastes indulgent but is also super healthy!

How do you do it?

I listen to my body! It helps me stay on track from everything from food to fitness. How I feel each day determines whether I find myself at Barry’s or something gentler like hot yoga at Modo. I always try to stay in touch with my energy and what I need that day physically and mentally.

Indulgences?

Sleep! I have a bad habit of staying up later than I should sending emails or unwinding after a long day, but when it gets dark earlier, it’s extra incentive to get into bed a little earlier, too. One of the health coaches we work with at HealthKick, Beth Lipton, taught me about developing a bedtime routine – three things you do every night to prepare for sleep: making tea, reading and listening to music. It helps me ease into going to bed, so I’m actually ready to sleep once I get into bed without my mind racing about my to-do list tomorrow.

Jillian Tuchman, Head of Nutrition, Care/of

Healthy Habits

I prioritize human connection and make sure to see at least one friend in person or speak to one on the phone each day. The importance of connection, community, and belonging cannot be overstated when it comes to my overall health and feeling good. I am also consistent about taking supplements, and rotate between a whole bunch of herbal tinctures, tonics, and teas. My Care/of daily packs include zinc, a probiotic blend, CoQ10, vitamin D, vitamin C, B complex, and magnesium, and try hard not to skip any. After years of dedicated meditation practice, I learned to accept my emotions for what they are and feel so much better for it.

How do you do it?

I try to walk a lot throughout the day — I’ll go on walks with friends and suggest walking meetings — even if I’m too busy to go to the gym, my fitness routine doesn’t suffer too much. The weather is great in the fall, so I love to get fresh air and sunshine (vitamin D!) at a park or on a hike. I try to remember all the fun events I have planned and that I need to feel my best to enjoy them!

Indulgences?

I’m a sucker for warm spiced cider and mulled wine — both are pure sugar and things I usually avoid, but once or twice every fall, I go for it. I also really love the smell of pine and fir trees — it pretty much smells like a forest in my apartment all the time — and fall is when I go into overdrive on that. I buy a ton of pine and fir scented candles and incense.