When those cold, dark and shorter days come along, it can be difficult to motivate ourselves & just simply hibernate! Our bodies become mentally and physically drained. So we quite often just want to snuggle up in our blankets, drink tea and lounge around. This is the time when our bodies are susceptible to the winter nasties. So keeping proactive and ensuring our health and wellness is on top of its game is important.
So here are 10 tips for keeping up your Winter Wellness & keeping out those nasty bugs!!
1. Keep Hydrated – Quite often when the weather is cooler, we forget to hydrate. It seems unappealing due to the weather outside. However, our bodies are made up most of water, so when you turn on the aircon or the heater, this is when our bodies need it the most. So make sure to have at least 6 – 8 glasses of water a day. If it’s too cold, add some boiling water or lemon ( a natural antioxidant ) to warm it up!
2. Rest Up & Rejuvenate – There’s nothing more important than getting adequate, good quality sleep at night, especially in winter. When we are run down, were more susceptible to getting sick. Sleep releases melatonin which rejuvenates the body and supports the immune system. So aim for a good 7-8 hours of sleep! Also, before bed allow yourself time to switch off from technology and your surroundings in order to settle down and ensure that good night sleep. A great tip from Ayuverdic Medicine, if you suffer from restless nights is to get some Natural Sesame Oil, warm up about half a teaspoon & massage it on the bottom of your feet. It does wonders!
3. Don’t Stop Exercise! – Don’t let your excuses or the weather get in the way of your wellness! It’s a fact that exercise helps individuals, releasing those natural chemicals, such as endorphins, that boost our mood. Doing at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day will also help flush that bacteria and unwanted waste from the body, reducing the chance of cough or cold. If it’s too cold outside or you’re not motivated, find a friend and go to a gym, indoor pool or yoga.
4. Save Your Skin – It is the largest organ in the body, and acts as a protective layer. Just because there is less sun, doesn’t mean we should forget about our skin. In fact we should look out for it more. As it the winter months hit, the cool air, wind and even heat can dry out our skin. Our skin is there for us, so make sure to look out for it. Using natural moisturisers such as Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil or Honey are great.
5. Eat For The Season – Winter is the season where the body is the strongest and requires more food to fuel the body in order to remain well and healthy. We naturally crave heartier foods, more rich in nutrients and bigger portions overall. That way we feel stronger in order to survive the colder months. Examples of winter foods include brown rice, seasonal fruits (e.g. berries, apples & oranges), vegetables ( e.g. carrots, broccoli, kale, parsnip, pumpkin, onions) and Natural Seasonings (oil, garlic, ginger, flax seed). These are all great examples of foods to eat in winter to warm up the body keep up one’s vitality and energy.
6. Boost Your Immunity – Whilst it is crucial to eat well, reaching out for those super foods will help you strengthen your immune system. Olive leaf extract is a great herbal remedy that contains oleuropein, which prevents coughs, sore throats & nasal congestion. Garlic, a mineral high in sulphur used for years, helps to fight infection. Blueberries, which are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A and Turmeric, a great antioxidant & anti-inflammatory, which aids digestion, fights off colds is also another good option in winter. A great tip in winter, if you’re under the weather, is to warm up some Turmeric with milk. Remember, this is the time to look out for yourself, prevent the nasties!
7. Wash Your Hands – We always say it, but sometimes forget it. However it is really important to wash your hands as touching one another is quite often one of the most common ways of spreading germs. So don’t forget to wash your hands regularly with soap, most importantly when you’ve been to the bathroom or before you eat. It’s quite simple and it reduces infection and illness from the spread of bacteria. We just want you to be well.
8. Take Probiotics – WANT TO KEEP YOUR GUT WELL? If you want to keep your body in order, look out for some probiotics. They help your gut, which supports your immune system, all the while fighting off cold and flu. When you have a diet that is high in fibre, this creates an environment for good bacteria to thrive. Types of probiotics that you can take include kefir yoghurt, kombucha or fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, miso, kimchi).
9. Stock Up On Vitamin C – It’s a classic fighter of the winter cold. Known as a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C helps the body regenerate scar tissue and burns, regulating the immune system to optimum function. As the body can not produce its own Vitamin C it is important that we substitute it within our diets. A lack of Vitamin C can cause scurvy, which cause symptoms such as fatigue, anemia, dryness & bruising, something we don’t want. So where can we get it? Well sources of Vitamin C can be found in oranges, strawberries, mangoes, capsicum, broccoli, grapefruit, pumpkin and spinach. Just remember it is best eaten in its raw form, because the more you cook it, the more you lose the Vitamins.
Last but not least ….
10. Keep Yourself Warm – Protect the body from getting that nasty chill. It’s important that we help ourselves from that cool air, so pop a beanie on or scarf around your neck to add some warmth. A little extra protection will help the body retain heat and reduce your chances of catching that cold you want to steer clear from.
References
- https://www.healthylife.com.au/media/wysiwyg/winter_wellness_guide_2018.pdf
- http://acupunctureandbeautycentre.com.au/10-tips-to-winter-wellness
