With the hustle of the holiday season approaching, it’s a good idea to get started with your winter routine now so that you don’t fall behind. Staying healthy during cold months can be more difficult than in the summer due to the lack of daylight. The sun not only gives us vitamin D, but also inspires us to be active. Airborne illnesses thrive in lower temperatures, so boosting your immunity now is important.
A combination of staying active, consuming the right foods and vitamins, and creating the right environment can keep you feeling happier and healthier until next spring.
- Warm Up Your Space
Check the windows and doors in your home for any space where a cold draft could get through. This can be quickly fixed with insulation or caulk. More major repairs for rooftops and heating systems can be costly, but better to address now than during a winter storm.
The optimal humidity level is between 40 and 50 percent. We’re more susceptible to airborne illnesses when the air is dry, so investing in a humidifier for your home this winter can help prevent sickness. Proper humidity can also alleviate congestion, cough, and an irritated throat.
- Add Spices to Your Meals
Adding certain spices when cooking can make a major impact on your immune health. Cinnamon is a versatile spice that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood circulation. Cayenne pepper reduces blood pressure as well. Ginger and turmeric boost immunity in addition to a wide range of other health benefits. Onions and garlic offer antioxidants to help aid immunity.
Green and white teas are also rich in antioxidants and are the perfect winter drink to warm you up on a cold night.
- Take Multivitamins
Getting a balanced intake of necessary vitamins can reduce your chances of getting sick as well as shorten the length of experiencing symptoms if you do get sick. Zinc has been proven to reduce the length of the common cold. You can take Zinc in pill form or include zinc-rich foods in your diet. Red meat, shellfish, legumes such as chickpeas, lentils and beans, nuts, and dairy are all good sources of Zinc.
Vitamin D is an important vitamin to take during the winter when we aren’t getting as much of it from sunlight. Vitamin D boosts your mood in addition to strengthening immunity.
Ask your chiropractor which multivitamins they recommend for your specific needs.
- Stay Active
The colder weather can be off-putting to many who want to keep up with their summer exercise routines, but staying active is key to maintaining elevated moods and productivity.
Our muscles are more likely to get strained or injured when cold. Before exercising in cold weather, it’s necessary to warm up indoors while muscles are still pliable. Stretching is beneficial, however dynamic exercises are the only way to warm up muscles.
Your chiropractor can advise you on how to prevent injury when being active in colder temperatures.
Following these steps can help make your winter season healthier and happier!