Bad habits happen more often when days are shorter and nights are colder. There’s just something about winter that makes you forgo the fitness routines and exchange vegetables with anything fried or sweet. And before you know it, you’re feeling sluggish or blue, getting colds more frequently, and gaining extra pounds.
Don’t let winter drag you down. Take control of your habits, and follow some simple steps to stay healthy and happy.
Stay active
The outdoors can be exhilarating during winter, so don’t keep to yourself at home. If you’re near a ski area, go alpine skiing or snowboarding. You don’t even need to have your own equipment. Whether it’s a ski helmet from Giro or boots from Atomic, you could rent the equipment from a resort.
If you’re not into skiing or snowboarding, you could go snowshoeing, sledding, or visit nearby attractions. The point is to get out of your home and do something.
Keep the indoor air clean
Outdoor time is naturally out of the question if there’s a blizzard. So if you must spend your time indoors, make sure the air you breathe is clean.
Improve air circulation and ventilation by cleaning your home. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum carpets, and mop bare floors. Pollutants build up indoors over time, especially if you smoke or have pets.
Then replace your filter with HEPA-approved ones. HEPA filters remove over 99 percent of particles (e.g., pollen, dust, mold, etc.), preventing the recirculation of pollutants in your home.
Clean out the vents as well. Dust, pollen, and pet hair collect in these vents, clogging them up and making your HVAC inefficient.
Eat seasonal, warm food
No matter the season, you should always eat healthy meals. The easiest way to do that would be to choose seasonal produce. Make hearty, delicious soups with root vegetables. Cook up big batches of stews with legumes, turkey, and dark leafy greens. And prepare more vitamin D-rich food with salmon or tuna as stars of the dish.
With nutrient-dense food, you’ll boost your immune function without gaining extra pounds.
As for your drinks, choose tea varieties with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Before winter comes around, stock up on ginger, peppermint, and chamomile teas.
Keep your skin hydrated
A big part of feeling good is looking good. And that can be impossible to feel if your skin is breaking out or cracking. The air is drier during winter, so excessively dry and irritated skin is to be expected. One way to prevent this from happening is by using a humidifier. That will add moisture in the air, reducing the dryness on your skin.
And use a moisturizer developed for winter. Moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid are ideal because these ingredients strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and keep your skin plump.
Sleep better
Finally, get some quality sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, your brain malfunctions, and you may be a bit of a menace to people. But longer sleep doesn’t necessarily mean better sleep. Adults only really need seven to nine hours of sleep every day. Follow that, and you should be well-rested when you wake up.
Winter may tempt you from shedding good habits. But don’t give in. Take control by looking after yourself better.
