4 Ways to improve your lifestyle during Winter

As the days grow shorter and it’s getting colder outside, we tend to worry more about our health than in summer. During Winter, flu viruses are on the high to catch and this year the world is facing the coronavirus. Staying fit and healthy during winter is more important than ever. 

Here are four tips to keep your body and mind in top shape right until spring arrives:

1. Meditation

Carrying out some meditation daily can help improve awareness of yourself and your surroundings. It can also help reduce stress and develop concentration with your inner self.

People practice meditation to develop beneficial habits and feelings, such as a positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns, and even increased pain tolerance.

Apps such as Headspace are great accessible ways where you can now practice meditation in the comfort of your own home during the cold Winter months.

2. Exercise

The importance of exercise can’t be underestimated for the benefit of your overall health and wellbeing. 

30 minutes of exercise a day can do wonders for your health such as, improving the health of your heart, mind and decreasing the risk of illness.

During the winter it can be tempting to stay in and avoid the cold. But useful tips like making a weekly routine and taking each day as it comes can help keep you motivated to exercise during Winter.

Whether you prefer to walk 30 minutes a day or a muscle building or fat loss plan getting up and exercising can prove very beneficial for your long term health

3. Eat & Drink Well

The saying ‘you are what you eat’ is there for a reason.

Now winter is here, it is tempting to stock up on eating stodge and carbs. Eating carbs and sweet treats increase your serotonin levels, making you feel happier. Although it’s okay to indulge this way sometimes, it’s not great for your health in the longer term.

Your diet is a very important part of staying healthy. What you eat determines the amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre your body has available to stay in shape for the benefit of your well being. Junk food will not provide enough of these essential nutrients and have an adverse impact on storing fat in your body. 

During Winter, eating fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fish is important, as is cooking your own meals. During the festive period we love to indulge, but balancing that in the period can provide a great platform for your body during the Winter period.

4. Vitamins & Supplements

During the pandemic and lockdown our body will lack essential vitamins such as vitamin D.

Vitamin D, is usually absorbed by the skin from the sun’s rays. However, with fewer daylight hours in the winter and during lockdown, our bodies lack the vitamin D we need to support our immune systems and fight illnesses like colds and flu.

Vitamin C, found in abundance in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruit, is great for maintaining our respiratory health, which gets attacked by winter colds and viruses.

Supplements can also form part of relaxation during the winter. Chamomile tea, is great to relax you before bed, green tea is a great antioxidant, whilst ginger tea can help boost the immune system and improve and blood circulation.

Finally, CBD products such as oils, gummies and balms can also provide a range of health benefits to improve overall well being as well as pain management with aching joints and muscles during the colder winter months.