Are you looking forward to the winter holidays? As the trees shed their leaves and temperatures drop, you’d probably hate to fall ill; on the other hand, you would be looking to spend cold and chilly nights in fun and full health with your loved ones.
Worry not. We have got you covered. Here are some great ways to stay healthy throughout winter and keep your holiday spirits up.
So, without further ado, let us get straight to the topic.
1. Beware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Chilly breeze, fading sun rays, and warmer clothes and blankets are all staples of the winter season. At best, it’s just a cold that leaves us wracked with a runny nose, scratchy throat, low-grade fever, fatigue, chills, and aches. If we’re unlucky, however, when the days get shorter,
- We are tired, irritable, sad, or down most of the time.
- We suddenly become enraged, burst into tears, or start yelling.
- We sleep too much.
- We crave carbs, overeat, and gain weight.
- We feel better in the spring, with longer daylight hours.
All these symptoms point in one direction. We have winter-onset Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as “winter blues.” With winter comes the holidays. While people around you expect to enjoy the season, winter holidays can also trigger unresolved past trauma and worsen SAD symptoms.
You may believe that using alcohol will help you cope, but it isn’t in your best interests. If you ever feel down during winter, it’s important to visit your doctor, especially during recovery.
If you get addicted to bad habits such as drinking to cope with SAD, you must also visit rehab centers such as Delphi Group. They can help you quit your bad habits. But, for SAD, you must visit a specialist doctor to keep it under control. Bad habits may make it worse, so it is good to visit a rehab center when needed.
In addition to seeking professional help, you may also pick up new hobbies to keep yourself busy.
Joining a gym, doing yoga, practicing meditation, learning useful life skills, blogging, cooking, drawing, redecorating, or playing board games with friends and family are inexpensive pastimes you can start today to keep SAD at bay.
2. Eat fruits and vegetables
If you want to stay healthy throughout the winter, you’ll also have to quit your unhealthy diet and instead opt for fruits and vegetables.
They are rich in various vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fibers, which, in turn, boost your immunity and protect you from different diseases.
In the winter, you can eat tasty foods like oranges, carrots, spinach, and kale.
Eating more fruit and vegetables is essential and recommended to get in better shape and lead a healthy life.
Similarly, on the contrary, it is imperative to stop taking too much sugary food and drinks, as well as processed food, as they are not good for your health.
As mentioned, vegetables and fruits will boost your immunity, and you will deal with the winter season better, and also it will allow you to go out to places and have fun with your family and friends.
Put simply, if you are healthy, you can do whatever you want.
3. Don’t forget omega-3 rich foods
Other than eating a lot of vegetables and fruits, the other important healthy way to keep the illness at bay and enjoy your winter is to maintain a diet rich in omega-3.
Omega-3 fatty acids have many powerful health benefits for your body and brain.
- They are the most effective at fighting depression and anxiety.
- They promote higher intelligence and a lower risk of several diseases in infants.
- They improve numerous heart disease risk factors.
- They reduce symptoms of ADHD in children.
- They fight age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
- They improve bone strength and joint health.
- They keep your skin soft, moist, supple, and wrinkle-free.
It is better to have a good intake of Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet to remain healthy and fit during the winter season.
4. Take care of your skin
Cracked heels, chapped lips, and damaged skin can be annoying in winter. Adequate hydration and a skincare routine in winter are crucial to maintaining your skin’s texture.
It is one of the most irritating things that happen to people in the winter season. To enjoy fully during winter, better take care of your skin.
5. Connect with loved ones
Use this time, mostly spent indoors, to connect with your loved ones. It is a face-paced world where people have less time even for their loved ones – winter breaks are a good time to reconnect with your loved ones – it will positively affect your mind and body.
Invite your family members over dinner or to watch your favorite movie – use this special time to bond.
6. Sleep well
Pay attention to your brain’s call to go to bed early. Take that afternoon nap. In addition, it is better to take 7-8 hours daily.
In the winter, getting ample and adequate sleep and allowing the body to rest properly helps strengthen the body to fend off the cold and maintain energy levels. Sound sleep also helps burn calories and gets rid of stress hormones while keeping the immune system at its optimal level.
A word of advice, though: avoid caffeine and food right before you go to bed. This can disrupt your sleep.
7. Opt for flu shots
If you are susceptible to colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses, it is better to seek medication and a flu shot well before the chilly season sets in. This will reduce your chance of getting sick in winter by 50%.
In addition, go for regular health checkups with your physician. You should also keep yourself and your immediate environment clean to minimize exposure to harmful bacteria that can cause the flu.
Conclusion
Winter is a beautiful season, but it can be challenging to avoid getting an annoying cold or the dreaded flu as colder temperatures and wintry weather kick in. You can follow the above tips to protect your health this winter, embrace the season wholeheartedly, and enjoy it to the fullest.
