Now that the nights are drawing in and we are all preparing for the festive season, it is time to start thinking about winter and what we can do to stay healthy and happy during the harshest season of the year.
Winter is a wonderful time but it brings with it more turbulent weather and colder temperatures; and this can lead to us getting ill and feeling more fatigued and weak.
It is crucial to look after yourself throughout the winter; and today we are going to talk about some of the best ways that you can stay healthy, happy, and be Merry this winter.
Be careful outdoors
The first thing you should be aware of when staying healthy in winter is the icy conditions. Where there is cold weather there is often a lot of damp and rain, and when this freezes it can cause black ice that often is invisible to us when walking. If you want to avoid a trip to your local personal injury law firm, it’s important for you to be very careful when walking outside and ensure that you wear shoes with good grip.
Eat the rainbow
When staying healthy and strong in the colder months of the year it is important for you to eat enough vitamins and minerals. This involves eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and trying to get your 5-a-day consistently. To make sure you get all of the essential nutrients you need in your diet every day, you should consider eating lots of different colored foods. This will include things such as berries for antioxidants, citrus fruits for vitamin C, and greens for fiber. The more colors you get on your plate the better!
Balance your diet
A balanced diet is the most important step in staying healthy and fit in the winter. You need to ensure that you eat in moderation. Don’t completely deprive yourself of the things you love, however try to eat healthy for at least 80% of the week. By eating a balanced and simple diet you will get all of the nutrients you need and you’ll also be able to enjoy a slice of cheesecake now and again without feeling guilty!
Get moving
If you want to be fit and strong all winter long, it is very important for you to exercise a little bit each day. You don’t have to be running a marathon every day of the week, but moving around for 30 minutes a day will make the world of difference to your body. You can use your 30 minutes going for a walk, doing some yoga, or following along with a workout online. There are many fun ways to stay fit and just a small amount of movement each day can make all the difference.
Stretch it out
Yoga is a great way to stretch out the tension and strain in your muscles as well as increase flexibility and improve your posture. Practicing a little yoga every day even if only for 5 minutes will stretch those muscles and help you to avoid injury when exercising. There are some great poses that benefit different parts of the body:
- Standing forward fold – this stretches your back muscles and lengthens your hamstrings
- Downward dog – a stretch that engages all parts of the body and lengthens the spine
- Butterfly – a simple stretch to open up the hips
Try out some simple yoga flows this week and see what a difference it can make to your body.
Self care is key
As well as looking after yourself physically during winter; it is super important to look after your mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing and can make many of us feel tired and worn out in winter weather. To keep yourself happy and energized, take the time to sit down with a good book or have a relaxing bath. Care for your mind and body and you’ll be happy all season.
Once a week pamper session
A good pamper session is something that your body and your mind will thank you for. Now and again, settle yourself down for the evening and carry out a skincare routine to pamper your pores. Our skin does through a lot in winter and it is important for us to keep it looking and feeling healthy.
- Apply a warm towel to your face for 2 minutes.
- Dry your face and apply your favorite face mask, leave for 30 minutes.
- Get into the shower, wash off your face mask.
- Exfoliate the skin with a facial scrub such as St Ives. Rub in circular motions for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Cleanse the skin with your favorite in shower face wash.
- Dry the skin and use micellar water to cleanse.
- Tone the skin to restore pH and close pores.
- Use a rich moisturizer or oil to hydrate the skin.
- Apply lip balm.
This simple routine can be done once a week and you’ll notice some huge improvements in the complexion and clarity of your skin.