Feel your best this fall

September 20, 2024

Fall has us feeling some type of way

Crisp air, crunchy leaves and cozy knits—fall is full of comforting textures. But it also brings an energy shift with the start of a new school year, shorter days and the bittersweet reminder of time passing as the trees shed their leaves. This season can stir up a mix of emotions, reminding us to stay connected with loved ones and to prioritize both our physical and mental health. Keeping up with vaccines, taking prevention steps and making safe choices are great ways to embrace everything fall brings our way.

Being sick is so ick!

As we head into the colder months, we hear a lot about protecting our health and the health of those around us. Here’s our list of some simple ways to stay safe:

🧼Wash your hands often with soap and water.

🛏️Avoid contact with others if you or they are sick.

🤧Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.

😷Consider wearing a mask, especially if you or people you are with are at higher risk of serious illness.

💉Learn about this year’s vaccines and make a plan to get your shots.

For more tips and information on staying healthy here.

* Scroll down for the answer.

Picture this: it’s 2006. The Wii has just been released and Pluto has been reclassified as a dwarf planet. Now, can you guess the most popular baby name from that year? That name is likely to be the most common one among this year’s high school graduating class in Vermont!

A. Noah

B. Emma

C. Aiden

Hint: Check out the 2006 Vital Statistics Report

Hear from Dr. D on testing for HIV.

How often to get tested for HIV depends on what your life is like!

Everyone ages 13-64 should get tested at least once, but some people should get tested every 3-6 months. Talk to your health care provider about the best way to stay on top of your health. There are more tools than ever to prevent HIV, other STIs, and mpox. Learn more.

This video is of a doctor talking about how often different people should be tested for HIV.

When it comes to safety, take the road more traveled.

Whether you're walking, biking, or driving, be sure to look both ways when crossing the street this fall. School is back in session and it's starting to get darker sooner. Be aware that pedestrians and cyclists might be hard to see as you're driving in the morning and evening.

Stay safe while walking by sticking to sidewalks and crossing the street in well-lit, clearly marked areas. Wearing light, bright, or reflective clothing are great ways to make sure that drivers can see you. Learn more here!

Family crossing the road in a cross walk.

Teen sitting on a skateboard with text that reads "Protect your preteens & teens with routine vaccines. Tdap, HPV, Meningococcal."

All the kids are doing it!

Smells like teen spirit—by that, we mean preteen and teen vaccines like Tdap, HPV, and meningococcal. These vaccines protect your child from serious diseases and even some cancers later in life.

Now is the perfect time to get caught up on recommended vaccines! Unsure which shots are needed at each age? Ask your family doctor or visit HealthVermont.gov/TeenVax.

E.T. wearing headphones with text that reads "E. Teen, Alien Angst. Phone home? Leave me alone!"

Connection: It's what teens crave.

Teens crave the taste of independence but still want to feel connected to their parents—on their own terms. To maintain that connection and keep conversations open, try these tips:

Stay calm: Before approaching your teen, get centered. If you're upset, take a walk, do some yoga, or take deep breaths.
Be casual: Instead of having "the talk," bring up concerns naturally during everyday activities, like walking the dog or driving.
Actively listen: Ask open-ended questions, listen fully and repeat back what they say to show you're hearing them.
Use humor: Lighten tense moments with humor, but skip the sarcasm.
Repair and reconnect: If things go badly, focus on repairing the relationship to restore trust.

For more tips on starting conversations about substance use, visit ParentUpVT.org.

Teen laying on stomach looking at a tablet while wearing headphones.

In our limited screen time era

Almost a third of Vermont high schoolers are on some sort of screen for 5+ hours every day (not including time spent on schoolwork).

Touching the screens of our phones and tablets keeps us connected and entertained, but they can be bad for mental health. Almost half of all students with 5+ hours of daily screen time say their “mental health is not good” or feel anxious or nervous.

To cut back on screen time, consider making a family media plan where everyone agrees on when, where, and how often screens are used.

* Option B, Emma is the correct answer.

Check Out Our Upcoming Events

Want more like Health Sense? Follow @HealthVermont on social media!

Send Us A Message