How to Improve your health this winter

Did you forget to prioritize your health during the month of December? It’s easy to do! By the time January comes around, a lot of us are feeling the effects of the holidays. Not to mention common ailments such as the cold and flu run rampant. So let’s take a moment go over some basics for maintaining our health…

Here’s to staying healthy this winter!

DRINK MORE WATER

Staying hydrated is a vital aspect of staying healthy year-round! But we could definitely use helpful reminders and some extra water during winter.

Depending on where you live, winter air is often more dry than it is during the other seasons. This means it’s easier for you to suffer from mild dehydration, which can be seen visibly in dry skin, fatigue, frequent headaches, and other symptoms.

Let’s not forget that staying adequately hydrated (yes folks, 8 glasses a day) plays a key role in overall health as well as providing a whole host of benefits such as improving skin health, increased energy, strengthening the immune system, and aiding in the body’s natural detoxification process.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Are you getting enough sleep every night? Or do you struggle to wake up in the morning and stay up too late? Getting a good amount of sleep each night helps keep you healthy, happy, and thinking clearly throughout the day!

Sleep is especially important during the winter months in strengthening the immune system and speeding up recovery from the cold and flu!

Make sure you set a “lights out” time at a reasonable hour so that you can get enough sleep.

EXERCISE MORE

Regular exercise plays an important role in overall health. Not only is exercise good for the body, exercise is also good for mental and emotional health.

Colder weather might make you discouraged about getting active outdoors. But this doesn’t have to be so! There are a bunch of great outdoor activities that you can do in the winter to get your exercise in.

Here are a few wintertime activities for inspiration:

• Go cross-country skiing
• Build a snow fort or a snowman
• Visit your local ice arena and rent some skates
• Take a downhill skiing or snowboarding trip (sledding is great, too!)
• Go on a hike with snowshoes

Not feeling the cold? Many gyms and community centers have public saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs to warm you up! Treat yourself to a relaxing spa after a workout to relax your muscles and promote healing.

DON’T STRESS

Hakuna Matata—it means no worries! Make sure to give yourself some time to relax and unwind. It’s important to start new routines that include more exercise and eating healthier, but it’s also important to set a new relaxation regimen:

• Treat yourself to a salt bath (try these 2-ingredient DIY bath salts!)
• Get a massage
• Attend a yoga class (or watch a guided yoga video)
• Brew a cup of caffeine-free tea
• Curl up with that book you’ve been meaning to read

EAT WHOLESOME FOODS

During the holiday months we tend to consume more sweets and starchy foods such as bread, cereal, pasta, and potatoes. Too much of these types of foods can adversely affect your health! Make sure you are eating well-rounded meals that include fruits, veggies, plant protein, and whole grains. A well-balanced diet will help keep your energy levels up, strengthen your immune system, increase focus, and keep your digestive system functioning properly.

Try these recipes :

• Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Sweet Potato Medley
• Watermelon Radish, Orange, and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts
• Healing Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
• Toasted Coconut Breakfast Porridge

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE HEALTH

As discussed above, many factors play into our immune health. In addition to all these factors, winter is a great time to be maintaining your immune system by making sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals to help keep you energized, focused, and healthy.

If you’re not already taking some immune-boosting vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B6 then now is a great time to start! Check the label on multivitamins to be sure they contain these vitamins.

You can also boost your immune system naturally with this “flu shot” recipe which includes powerhouse ingredients such as ginger, lemon, apple cider vinegar, moringa, echinacea, rose hips, black pepper, and honey. Information on all of these ingredients are included in the post so be sure to check it out to learn more about strengthening your immune system naturally.

Contributed by : Better Health Lifestyles