Winter is quickly approaching, and for most of us that means colder temperatures, inclement weather, and fewer hours of daylight. Make sure you avoid the winter blues by incorporating these tactics into your days to stay happy and healthy until spring comes.
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- Stay Healthy: Make sure you keep up a healthy diet as the weather turns cooler, and avoid catching contagious illnesses as much as possible. In terms of nutrition, make sure you get your fill of antioxidants and munch on dark leafy greens all winter long. Cold winter months call for belly-warming meals, so find some soup and stew recipes to ensure you get the nourishment you need while warming up your body from the inside out. To avoid any airborne or contact-related illnesses, avoid using public options (shared office pens and the like) and keep hand sanitizer with you at all times. Avoid touching your face as this is often how germs are turned into illness, and be sure to wash your hands whenever you have the chance. Keep up your exercise regimen even through the winter months, even if it means temporarily joining a gym to escape frigid temperatures outside.
- Treat Yourself: Winter means the beginning of the holiday season, and holidays mean a lot of hefty bills. However, you should be sure not to ignore your needs. Splurge on yourself a little with some inexpensive buys that will give you a boost of happiness on a rainy day. Buy some CZ rings online and plan a night out for a chance to show off your new baubles. You’ll likely have plenty of seasonal events to attend in upcoming months, and accessorizing early will make finding the right outfit an easy task. While you should still maintain a healthy diet, you can still treat yourself with a weekly indulgence in a comfort food that will warm your belly and your heart.
- Take Part in Some Pampering: The winter months can be hard on your psyche, so give yourself a boost with a day of pampering. Whether it’s a trip to the salon, a massage appointment, or an at-home spa basket delivery, partake in your favorite pampering activity and relax away any stresses you may be harboring. Pampering can also mean changes to your daily routine. The winter months can be harsh on our skin, so make sure you keep your body’s largest organ feeling good and looking great. Because you will be washing your hands more often your skin may be more easily dried out, so make sure you moisturize to keep them soft and supple and avoid painful itching and cracking.
- Get Enough Vitamin D: If you live somewhere that doesn’t have enough sun during the winter months, do what you can to keep up your vitamin D levels with a supplement. You can also look into light therapies if you’re in an area where the sun hasn’t been seen in months.
- Have a Laugh: One of the best ways to ward off sadness is to laugh in its face—literally. Laughter can have a huge effect on mental and physical health. People who use humor in their fight against stress tend to be less lonely, and humor therapy has been purported to be as effective as a prescription in the case of dementia patients. Some studies have shown that laughter increase blood flow, which can release endorphins that combat stress. Laughter is used in conjunction with chemotherapy for cancer patients to help improve quality of life and keep fortitude strong.
- The Right Balance of Sleep: Getting the right amount of rest is essential for maintaining your health throughout the year, but especially during the winter months. Improved memory, a longer lifespan, and less inflammation are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to health benefits directly caused by enough shut-eye. Maintaining a normal sleep schedule can help you keep off excess weight, fight depression, and help you remain alert during your waking hours. Splurge on a comfy new pillow, invest in a soft throw blanket, and settle in for some good sleep this winter.
The leaves have done their changing, the temperature seems to dip lower and lower each day, and the holidays are sneaking up on us. With all the activity bound to surround us in upcoming months, be sure to take care of your mental and physical health this winter by following these tips and incorporating healthy habits into your daily life.
Photo Credit: Winter Mood by Jasper Grom
