As the last leaves of fall have drifted to the ground, winter has arrived and the thermometer has dropped. The changing temperature also means that our immune systems can weaken and the numbers of cold and flu cases rise, so it's important you know how to stay healthy in the colder weather. Here are a few tips for a healthy and happy winter.
Getting Active
Once a chill is in the air, our bodies tend to want to conserve energy to use as heat. We tend to eat a little more and become less active. Being cooped up inside and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to the winter blues. It's important that we make the effort to get active when it's cold outside.
A proper warm-up is critical. Muscles tighten in the cold weather, so without a warm up they're prone to injuries. If you're exercising outdoors, be sure to insulate yourself. The best way to stay warm in the winter is with layers. The layer closest to your skin should allow moisture to be wicked away. The top layer should be both wind and water resistant.
Impervious Immune System
With the cold weather, eating healthy becomes increasingly important because our body is more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. There are certain elements to a healthy diet that are an absolute must in the colder months.
One vitamin that has been making the news lately is vitamin D. Called the "sunshine vitamin" because it's found in sunlight, it's much harder to satisfy your daily needs in the winter. Its benefits are immense; it assists in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, promotes bone growth, strengthens the immune system and studies have shown it's good for our mood, so it can help ward off the winter blahs.
Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Drinking it at room temperature is best; too cold can shock your system. Herbal teas are warm and therapeutic ways of staying heated and hydrated.
Germs-Be-Gone
An important part of staying healthy is to minimize your contact with germs and bacteria. Make sure you keep your house as clean as possible over the winter. Keep Scrubbing Bubbles® Bathroom Wipes under your bathroom sinks and scrub your toilet bowl regularly with the Scrubbing Bubbles® Fresh Brush® MAX.
The cold weather doesn't have to slow you down. Follow these simple suggestions and you can have your best winter yet!
