Health

How to Stay Healthy and Happy This Winter

It’s the season of hot chocolate, cuddling in blankets, and watching Netflix—but it’s also the season of cold flu, sore throat, and a hacking cough that makes you cancel your plans. What a catch-22! Stay indoors and get depressed or venture out and risk catching a bug? There is no getting away from this; you need to stay healthy and happy during winter. Not only will you read some valuable tips on staying happy, but you will also learn how to stay healthy. And there is no better time than now when we have so much information at our fingertips. Here are some simple tips that can help you stay healthy as well as happy this winter

Improve your sleeping habits

There are a few things that you can do to help you doze off faster and stay asleep for longer. First and foremost, you need to refine your sleeping habits. If you are the type of person who likes to keep the lights on in the room, you should stop this practice. The light from the bulbs will trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder for you to fall asleep. Regarding the temperature of your room, some people prefer the room to be warm, and others like it to be cool. The best thing you can do is experiment with the different temperatures until you find what works best for you. You should also try to make your bedtime routine as consistent as possible. Create a bedtime ritual that is relaxing and that you can do every single day. This will help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Eat well

When the temperatures plummet, and we don’t feel like venturing outside for a jog, we tend to gravitate toward winter comfort foods high in fat, sugar, and calories. While some winter delicacies like hot chocolate, cookies, and soups should be consumed moderately, others like roasted chicken and baked fish are very healthy and can help you feel better during the winter. Eating a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole grains can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of certain cancers. You can also try eating a probiotic-rich diet to help your body fight off colds and flu. Add probiotic foods to your diet, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, and other fermented foods. 

Exercise

Exercise won’t just help you stay healthy; it will also make you feel happier. Studies have shown that exercising regularly can help reduce anxiety and stress and improve mood. Exercising, however, isn’t just about the short-term benefits. It is also about the long-term health benefits that it can deliver. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and help you manage your weight. Exercising can be whatever you want it to be. You can go for a jog in the park, run on a treadmill, or take a yoga class. Or you can do a combination of all three! Whatever method you choose, the most important thing is finding an exercise you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy what you do, you are less likely to continue doing it.

Increase vitamin D by getting outside more

Vitamin D is a nutrient that can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of various diseases. It is estimated that around 50% of the population have an insufficient amount of vitamin D. The best way to boost your vitamin D levels is by getting more sun. However, the winter months bring a risk of skin damage and even skin cancer. So you need to be careful not to overdo it. You should also wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when outside in the winter. Regarding your diet, you can boost your vitamin D intake by eating foods such as salmon, eggs, and broccoli.

Pay attention to your mental health.

This ties in with sleep and diet, but how you care for your mental health is just as important. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you may want to see your doctor to get a prescription for light therapy or antidepressants. You can also spend time doing things that put you in a good mood, like listening to music or coloring. If you aren’t suffering from SAD, however, you can still take steps to help boost your mood. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet. You should also avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol since these substances can negatively impact your mood. Beyond that, try to find ways to make yourself happy. Spend time with friends, do something creative that you love, exercise, meditate and make time for relaxation. No matter how busy life gets, finding ways to make yourself happy is essential.

Use online Dr services.

This is a great way to keep an eye on your health, especially when you are on the go. There are plenty of apps where you can enter your daily activities and food intake, which also help you keep an eye on your weight. These apps will also send you push notifications when you need to see your doctor or when you need to take your medicine. You can also consult with online doctors using apps, where you can get answers to your health questions, such as https://drhouse.com/pink-eye-vs-allergies/. This can save you a trip to your doctor and help you to determine if you need to see a doctor and get a prescription or use over-the-counter treatments to improve your medical issues.

Wash your hands regularly

Germs are everywhere, and winter is hectic for doctors and nurses as people flock to the ER with the flu. You can help prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands. This is a simple way to clean your hands and avoid getting sick. If you’re in a group setting, like in a bar, theatre, or even at work, you can use alcohol hand sanitizer, which helps kill bacteria. Washing your hands periodically throughout the day helps prevent illness and boosts your confidence. If you can, try to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds check out CDC advice here https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. This is long enough to get your hands clean without scrubbing them too much, which can damage the skin. You can also use a sanitizing hand gel, especially if soap and water aren’t available.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that you can’t control the weather, and you can’t control when illness hits your circle of friends and family. But you can control how you react to it. And with these tips, you’ll be better positioned to stay healthy and happy during winter. 

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