Today is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of fall—a time for football and pumpkin spice lattes. Unfortunately, it's also the season of food-heavy holidays such as Thanksgiving and the candy-laden Halloween. Avoid the extra pounds and use common fall activities to improve your health.

6 Fun Fall Activities That Can Improve Your Health

Listed below are autumn activities that can improve your health.

Mentally

• Relax with some knitting. This fall, invest in your relaxing hobbies. Knitting winter scarves and completing fall craft projects like wreaths can take your mind off the stressful situations in your life and help you relax.

• Harvest happiness. There is a direct link between happiness and health, both mentally and physically. When you're happy your mind is relaxed and you experience fewer side effects of stress. Enjoying fun fall events like hayrides, corn mazes, and harvest festivals with your friends and children can improve your mental health.

Physically

• Eat traditional fall foods. Autumn is packed with healthy fall foods that make great additions to nearly any meal. Pumpkins have vitamins, potassium, and fiber that can help with weight control and high cholesterol. Apples are another fall staple—they are full of fiber and antioxidants that can help with certain cancers, heart diseases, and strokes. So this autumn try making pumpkin soup and eating baked apples for dessert.

• Enjoy the weather. With the leaves changing colors and the weather getting cooler, it's the perfect opportunity for outdoor physical activities. Going for walks through the park or going for a run after a long day of work is good for your body, especially your heart. You can also try recreational sports like flag football or fun nature-based activities like geocaching.

Spiritually

• Give thanks. With Thanksgiving coming up in a couple of months, it's the perfect time to reflect on the things that you are grateful for in your life. Take time to write down your blessings. Thank your loved ones for their help. Show your boss and your coworkers your appreciation. Also, give thanks to your spiritual guide or divinity.

• Appreciate the fall scents. Your sense of smell is a powerful way to relax your mind and transport yourself to another place. Aromatherapy can be used in worship rituals and it has been used to connect with your spirit. Try using autumn candles or essential oils at home or at your spiritual altar. Some fall scents to consider include cloves, cinnamon, wood, and pumpkin spice.