It can be challenging to stay healthy in winter. The air becomes dry and robs the skin of its moisture. Lack of sunlight when you are stuck indoors can lead to a deficiency in vitamin D, which can cause back and joint pain, and feeling tired or low all the time. You might even contract a virus like the flu, which is more contagious in cold, dry air. So winter is the time to focus on nourishing your body and strengthening your immune systems. Here is a list of tips to stay healthy in winter
- Eat healthy: To strengthen the immune system, eat a well-balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds, as well as lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure you eat foods high in vitamin C, which will support the immune system.
- Sleep: The importance of sleep for maintaining good health cannot be overstated. Getting enough shut-eye will strengthen the body’s immune system, reduce stress, and burn calories.
- Good hygiene: Keep your hands clean to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses and practice proper hygiene. These practices can reduce risk of infection:
- Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water
- Routinely sanitize surfaces
- Avoid sharing glasses and utensils
- Use a mask in crowded, enclosed spaces
- Maintain a distance of 6-feet from others as much as possible
- Stay at home if you’re not feeling well
- Exercise: Staying fit in winter requires engaging in physical activity. Choose an appropriate workout for winter, which will help you stay warm, strengthen your immune system, and enhance your defense against seasonal illnesses like the flu and colds.
- Skin care: The dry, chilly air outside and the heating indoors can be harsh on your skin. So make sure to moisturize your body and face, and use lip balm to keep your lips from becoming dry.
- Stay hydrated: Drink the recommended amount of water each day to maintains a healthy balance of bodily fluids. Water transports nutrients to body cells and flushes out toxins from the body.
- Get your health checkup: Keep an eye on your health and get your regular checkups. Asthma, the flu, sore throats, stiff joints, and an increased risk of heart attacks are all brought on by cold weather, which also raises blood pressure and puts additional strain on the heart. Getting a health checkup can detect any problems early and help prevent serious illnesses.
- Easy breathing: The sinuses may get dry when dry winter air is inhaled, increasing the risk of respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and even nosebleeds. Winter asthma can also be a major problem. To counteract dryness, use humidifiers and, if necessary, take medications.
- Stop smoking: Smoking makes people more prone to respiratory infections in the winter.
- Get some sunlight: Go outside and bask in the warm sun. Sunlight is important to get the Vitamin D the body needs to help protect against disease. It can also slow the aging process.
Body temperature drops in cold weather, and the body engages in thermoregulation to adapt to the new environment. Sometimes, this change manifests as a variety of wintertime illnesses, but by taking steps to stay healthy can help you enjoy the season.
