The winter season is much more than just the falling temperatures. It is also the busiest time of the year. This means that extreme cold and stress can have a significant effect on your physical and mental health. Besides, people are more likely to stay bundled up during winter. So, it is important to take steps to stay fit and healthy during the winter season.
Here are 4 things you should do to stay fit and healthy in the winter:
1. Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins help your body in carrying out a wide range of essential functions. Certain vitamins play an important role in strengthening immunity. Stronger immunity means fewer chances of falling sick in the winter months. By taking your multivitamins, you can feel better and healthier and address deficiencies.
You can also go outdoors to boost your vitamin D levels. However, sunlight levels can be too low during the winter season. So, it is recommended to take at least 10mcg of vitamin D every day during the cold season. Vitamin D has been known to improve muscle and bone health.
2. Exercise & Move More
Shorter days and dropping temperatures can make it difficult for anyone to get up and exercise on a cold winter day. Since you are more likely to spend more of your time in the winter bundled up, it is important that you work out and move more. There are many benefits of engaging in physical activity during winter. These include:
- Exercise works as a natural mood lifter and prevents the dark and cold conditions from dampening your spirits
- It can help get your heart pumping, making it healthier
- Being physically active also helps burn calories and help you fight off weight gain that is typical to the holiday season
- Exercising can also help improve your immunity, reducing your chances of getting sick
Exercising can also help reduce your risk of developing metabolic syndrome. It can also make your bones and muscles stronger.
3. Try Whole-Body Cryotherapy
Whether you are suffering from chronic pain, migraine, or mood disorders, whole-body cryotherapy can help improve your physical and mental health in a number of ways. It is recommended to undergo this therapy for the following benefits:
- Treating Mood Disorders: It can create a physiological hormonal response in the body, leading to the release of endorphins and adrenaline.
- Reducing Arthritis Pain: Cold temperatures are well known for exacerbating arthritic pain. With cryotherapy in Montreal, you benefit from reduced pain. This therapy has been known to make rehab programs more effective.
- Numbing Nerve Irritation: It can help numb irritated nerves and treat chronic pain and pinched nerves.
Additional benefits include sleep optimization, improved skin radiance, improved metabolism, inflammation reduction, and a greater sensation of energy.
4. Take the Right Foods
What you eat during the winter can make a big difference to your overall health and wellbeing. It is recommended to follow these tips when planning your diet:
- Choose Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables: Oranges, grapefruits, and kiwifruit are available in winter and quite delicious. Consider adding fruits to your breakfast and an additional serving of vegetables to each meal.
- Enjoy Stews & Casseroles: Prepare stews and casseroles with plenty of vegetables. Make sure to remove meat before cooking. Add chickpeas, kidney beans, and lentils.
- Enjoy More Tea: Replace a few cups of coffee with green and black tea. Tea is rich in flavonoids that have antioxidant properties. Besides boosting immunity, these nutrients are also good for heart health and blood vessels.
So, make sure to follow these tips if you want to stay fit and healthy during the winter season. It is not only important to focus on your physical health but you should also take steps to maintain positive mental health.
