Winter can be a tough time of year. The cold weather makes it hard to get out and exercise, the holidays lead to increased stress for many people, and flu season is in full swing. However, there are lots of things you can do to stay healthy this winter.
We’ve summarized some of our favorite tips below:
Practice self-care.
The winter months can be difficult for many people—the cold, the long dark mornings and evenings, and the lack of outdoor activity. This is why it’s so important to take care of yourself during this time of year.
Self-care is one way to help you cope with stress and make sure that you aren’t neglecting your own needs. It’s a good idea to think about what makes you feel cared for and loved in order to come up with ideas for self-care activities.
For example
- Do something nice for yourself (e.g., treat yourself to a pedicure or a foot massage)
- Spend time with friends or family members you love spending time with.
Stay active.
Healthy habits are important year-round, but they’re especially critical when you live in a cold climate. The winter season can be particularly challenging in Connecticut if you’re not accustomed to being outside for long periods of time. So how can you stay active?
The answer is simple: Move around! You don’t have to join a gym or buy fancy equipment—there are plenty of ways to get your body moving that don’t cost anything at all:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator when possible.
- Walk around your office during lunch break rather than sitting at your desk eating an unhealthy meal from vending machine snacks that aren’t good for you anyway.
- Get up and move around for five minutes every hour while working at home on your laptop or desktop computer so that your muscles stay warm and limber throughout the day (and keep those circulation levels high).
The point here is simple: Do whatever it takes not just to sustain basic health but also to improve upon it as much as possible.
Get enough sleep.
If you’re feeling tired and sluggish, it might be time to reevaluate your sleep habits. In fact, even if you don’t have a persistent “winter blues” feeling, getting enough sleep is still important for your overall health. Sleep helps keep your immune system strong and focused so that it can fight off infections and other harmful invaders with ease; it also keeps your brain functioning properly throughout the day (and especially during those long winter nights). Getting enough rest helps regulate hormones that affect appetite—including insulin levels—so if you’re having problems dropping pounds then sleeping more may be an effective way of taking control over food cravings and snacking behavior.
Eat for energy.
A balanced diet is a key to feeling good (and staying healthy) all year long. If you’re not careful, winter can make your food intake suffer. So make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoid processed foods as much as possible, and don’t go overboard on sugar or alcohol. A good way to ensure your diet stays balanced is by keeping track of it in an app. These apps will help keep you accountable for what goes into your body by tracking all sorts of things: calories consumed/burned; nutrients consumed/exercised out; daily water intake; sleep patterns…the list goes on and on! These programs are highly customizable so they work best for anyone who wants them to.
Build social connections.
Social connections are an extremely important part of mental health and well-being, and staying connected is a great way to make sure you have support when you need it most. Try joining a new activity, like yoga or dance classes, or find a friend or family member to spend time with who can help take your mind off of things when the weather starts getting rough. You can even spend time together getting active! Whether that’s going for a walk in the park with friends or taking on a new sport—it doesn’t matter as long as it gets your body moving!
The winter season is a time to get cozy and rest up, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to practice healthy habits that will help keep you feeling energized. Try these tips to combat common cold symptoms and stay strong through the cold months ahead!