Getting Ready For Fall!

By Barbara Moore

2 min read

Last updated: October 2024

When September is over and the month turns to October it is cooling time. The weather is much easier to manage with lower temperatures and humidity.

Food stocking in the fall

It is a time for stocking our cupboards with cans as the colder days will mean heavier meals and soups that will brew on simmer all day long. It’s usually a great time to stock up on can goods especially beans and lentils. Sauces and pastes to make them also go for reduced prices in the fall. Canned food has the same nutrients as fresh foods, so don’t overlook them.

Lots of fruits and veggies are sold by the barrel and quite cheaply. If you can manage some canning during the season, by all means, go for it. Having food stocked up gives us peace of mind that if the weather turns on us, we will still have some subsistence to eat. This is also a great time to freeze foods if you have a deep freezer. Freezing now saves time and energy in the colder winter months.

Keeping your hands busy

The fall is also a time to start thinking about hobbies that keep your hands and minds busy during the long winter months. If you don’t have a hobby, now is a good time to think of something you would like to do. Find a series of books to read. Buy some puzzle books or find some for free online. Crosswords are a great way to while away the days as well. Arts and crafts started now can make great Christmas gifts and cost little to no money. There are many sites online for free like PINTEREST that will keep your ideas fresh and keep your mind and hands occupied.

Starting a journal

This is the perfect time to start a journal of your daily symptoms and to track the good days and the bad days. A journal creates an evidence-based record of what happened and how it happened. This evidence goes with us to the doctor’s appointments so we are not playing a guessing game about our treatment. There are many boards on Pinterest to teach you how to begin a journal. Spend some time with it each day and you will begin to gain a deeper understanding of your chronic illness.

Get your shots

Change the batteries in your smoke alarms. They may save your life. Don’t overlook your other detectors in the home. Replace and put in fresh batteries all around. It is time to talk to your doctor’s office about getting your flu shot along with your pneumonia shots. We are all living differently with this illness so only you and your doctor can decide what shots are necessary for you.

Following suggestions from Karen Hoyt's article 'Top Five Apps for COPD', some of the suggestions above will help get us through the long cold winter ahead and hopefully make it less dreary for you and your family.

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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KevinDavitt Moderator
Barbara - love soup in the Fall! or Chili! or both!
sharebear Member
I look forward to the cooler temperatures of winter and fall. The cooler air is so much easier to breathe. The summer heat completely wipes me out. I could sleep for the whole summer! <inline-mention username="CommunityMember1174" user-id="4738047"/>
Sharpie51 Member
I just got my flu shot today, I’m happy to get it as I get sick easily, and usually wind up in the hospital due to COPD exacerbation. Even tho I hate to see winter come, the cooler air and low humidity sure makes me breathe easier.
Allan Member
Last winter I used my time in the house to teach myself to play the Ukulele. This year I plan on learnig some new songs
1. Allan Member
 I Chose the Ukulele Because Its an inexpensive and portable instrument with a very cheerfull uplifting sound. Most of my life Ive been close friends with musicians and a somewhat working knowledge of the guitar (but I cant play one) and having only 4 strings the the Uke is pretty easy to self teach
2. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Allan" user-id="9777303"/> How awesome! I love that photo. What a great way to get into music later in life. Thanks for sharing. - Lori (Team Member)
LauraW Member
I love the fall & find that without the heat & humidity I definitely breath easier - now winter is a different story :/ If it's super cold I have issues just as if it were hot & humid. Wish I could find a place where humidity is low & the temperatures stayed upper 70's/low 80's during the day & mid 50's at night year round. Defiantly getting my flu shot, on the fence about any more COVID shots (I only got the initial two shots - no boosters). I think I'm due for my pneumonia vaccine as well. 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 I wish you could find someplace like that, <inline-mention username="LauraW" user-id="9793253"/>. Unfortunately, humidity in the form of cloud cover is what keeps those temperatures from dipping too low at night. I hope the winter is mild for you and that your vaccines prevent any major illnesses. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)