6 Strategies for Staying Healthy this Winter
"It's the most wonderful time of the year" can be heard playing on the radio, but our bodies are singing another song! Winter is often handed a bad rap as it brings with it the cold & flu season and those cold, dark mornings. However, with some effort there is no reason for our health to suffer during the colder months! There are many things we can do to keep ourselves and family just as healthy, happy and active during winter as we are during summer.
1. Keep Moving
It's a little harder to find the motivation to exercise when it is cold outside, remember that keeping active during winter is essential to support our health and well being. You can accomplish just as much exercise in a 5'x5' space doing certain activities than you can outside running 5 miles. Do some research on "body weight exercises". You will walk away with some easy and quick indoor exercise that will keep you moving.
2. Immunity Boost
The immune system during the winter months is doing extra work. The immune system is not a single entity, but a system. Take a total health approach when attempting to strengthen your immune system. Eat well, exercise, reduce stress, get enough sleep and the list goes on. Supplements containing herbs and nutrients such as echinacea, garlic, vitamin C and zinc will help to support healthy immune function.
3. Eat Well
Winter is one of the most concentrated times of the year where we are faced with holiday meals. It can be tempting to start eating more of those warm comfort foods that are often high in fat, salt and sugar. Instead, find comfort in foods such as warming and nourishing soups and stews full of healthy vegetables. Make sure your diet includes winter fruit and vegetables packed with vitamins and minerals.
4. Stress and Healthy Mood
Stress can lower the resistance in our bodies to defend the nasty bugs by depressing the immune system. Stress increases your need for dietary magnesium which is important for muscle and nerve function. Many of the B vitamins e.g. B1, B5, B6 and B12 are also needed for a healthy nervous system. We are going to get stressed! We can better overcome this stress by preparing for it before the critical moment of panic approaches. Try to think forward this Winter and make preparations and plans in advance to reduce the critical stressful moments in our lives.
5. Stay Hydrated
Don't forget to keep drinking water! Just because the weather is colder does not mean that our bodies do not need hydration. You still need to aim for about 2 liters/day of water during the winter. If you struggle with plain water try some herbal tea. Be careful with artificial sweeteners out there.
6. Keep Up with Your Regular Chiropractic Adjustments
"Don't wait until you're "sick" and need a boost " BOOK NOW
Regular chiropractic care has been shown to boost immunity, improve DNA repair, improve mood, and so much more!
Getting sick in the United States of America is very costly! We have the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that does not include the additional costs of time off from work.
This point was well illustrated by a recent study of 70,000 Chicagoland patients compared to patients under the care of a Medical Doctor, those under the care of a Doctor of Chiropractic demonstrated decreases of 60.2% in-hospital admissions, 59.0% hospital days, 62.0% outpatient surgeries and procedures, and 83% pharmaceutical costs.
Getting sick is not fun and it is expensive! Stay healthy and proactive with these 6 strategies this winter, and you'll be ready to face the winter!
