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Fall into Healthy Habits

Fall is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Being outside encourages active lifestyles by decreasing time spent in front of a television or computer screen1. Spending time outside also has mental health benefits such as stress reduction and mood elevation2.

fall into healthy habits - picture of freash fruits and vegitables and an illustration of a tree in fall

Take advantage of our beautiful state this fall! Here are some ideas for you.

Learn How to Garden

In addition to spring gardening, many crops can be planted in the fall in Florida. Gardening is an active hobby, burning approximately 160 calories in just 30 minutes3. It also encourages a healthy diet by providing fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy at home. Take a look at our vegetable garden start up guide below.

Have a Healthy Tailgate

Tailgating can be a healthy event. Play it smart this season. Print out one of our Healthiest Weight game plans and enjoy your tailgate the healthy way.

Go Camping

Camping is fun for everyone. Take in the fresh air this fall with a pocket full of our fun tips for preparing healthy and great-tasting camping food.

Enjoy a Safe and Healthy Halloween

Halloween can be a scary time of the year for anyone trying to maintain healthy habits. Create a safe and healthy Halloween experience this year by incorporating some of the tips on our Halloween fact sheet. You can also print it and give it to your costumed visitors along with the treats.

Be a Junior Park Ranger

Encourage your child to become more than a recreational camper this fall by participating in the Florida State Parks’ Junior Ranger Program. The program provides an opportunity for young people to learn, serve, and share our state’s natural and cultural resources.

Get Outside and Explore by Geocaching

Florida State Parks offers a new way to be active and explore the outdoors with Operation Recreation GeoTour hosted by Geocaching.com. This GeoTour stretches from Pensacola to Key West and includes 74 state parks and trails.

Take a Loved One to the Doctor

September is Take a Loved One to the Doctor Month. The Department of Health encourages all Floridians to make an appointment to see a health care provider, attend a health event in their community, or help a friend, neighbor or family member do the same.

1Kaiser Family Foundation, September, 2004.
2The Harvard Health Letter, July, 2010.
3University of Florida, Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, 2014

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.

Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not for profit organizations, businesses, and entire communities to help Florida's children and adults make choices about healthy eating and active living.