By: Mandy Tegtmeyer, CWP, Wellness Consultant; The Employers’ Association

With all the season’s focus on candy and treats, it can be easy to miss the healthy side of Halloween and the Fall season. Fall can be a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather and enjoy all that the state of Ohio has to offer.

10 Tips to Have a Healthy Fall:

1. Pick Apples - Ohio currently has 67 U-pick apple orchards across the state, according to the State of Ohio website, so put on a flannel shirt and some boots and get to picking!
   • Apple Picking Guide - U-Pick-Farms
   • U-Pick-Apple Orchards - Ohio
   • Ohio Apples - Find Our Orchards
2. Plan a Trick-or-Treat Route - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends walking at least 10,000 steps per day, equivalent to about 5 miles for most people. Plan a Trick-or-Treat route to help reach your daily steps goal.
3. Do the Monster Mash - To make your Halloween party freakishly fun, do the Monster Mash!
   • Monster Mash Dance! - YouTube
4. Carve Pumpkins - Pumpkin carving is a beloved Halloween tradition that can be enjoyed by all. Whether your style is funny or scary, there are plenty of options!
   • 90 Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Halloween 2024 (housebeautiful.com)
   • Pumpkin Lady
   • 75 Cute Pumpkin Carving Ideas Even Beginners Can Try
5. Rake Leaves - Raking leaves burns 350-450 calories per hour!
   • Everyday Calorie Burners - WebMD
6. Go on a Hayride - Get the family together or round up some friends and take the time to relax this Fall on a hayride near you!
   • Ohio Hayrides
7. Visit a Haunted Attraction - Fall in Ohio is the ideal season for a spine-tingling adventure! Visit any of the many haunted attractions across the state.
   • Ohio Haunted Houses
   • Haunted Attractions in Ohio
   • Haunted Ohio: 24 Most Visited Places
8. Take a Fall Foliage Train Ride - One of the best ways to view Ohio’s beautiful fall foliage is from a train. This fall, many of Ohio’s trains are offering fall foliage tours and events, as well as special Halloween train rides.
   • Fall Train Rides - Ohio
   • Fall Fun on the Rails
9. Check out a Fall Festival
   • The Ultimate Guide to Central Ohio's Fall Festivals
   • Official 2024 Ohio Fall Events Guide
   • Fall Festivals in Ohio
10. Donate Extra Halloween Candy - Some organizations will gladly accept your excess Halloween candy donations — for a good cause!
    • What to Do With All That Halloween Candy
    • Treats for Troops

Have a Happy and Healthy Fall y’all!