8 Ways to Stay in Tip Top Health this Winter

8 Ways to Stay in Tip Top Health this Winter

 

It’s certainly tempting at this time of year to stay huddled indoors in front of the wood burner, watching back-to-back Netflick videos and chomping on crisps or other high-fat snacks. It’s winter after all, right?

 

Wrong! Sure it’s winter, but if you want to emerge from it healthy and ready to make the most of Spring, then consider engaging in the following. Bear with us – it’s not that hard, really:

 

  1. Hang big mirrors opposite your windows. “Why?” we hear you ask. Well, the reason is natural light is incredibly important for our health (vitamin D anyone?). Daylight is in very short supply in winter so the way to get as much as possible is to amplify it. Not only will you feel better, but emotionally you’ll be more on top form too. Better still….
  2. Go outdoors. The best way to get that essential daylight hit is to be outside going for a brisk walk or a cycle. Mornings are best since the sun at its warmest then. Getting natural sunlight isn’t only great for ensuring our wake/sleep cycle stays in rhythm, but it can also help those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
  3. Eat lots of turkey. By that, we mean don’t wait until Christmas day to get your tryptophan hit. No, start munching on it early December – it shouldn’t be too difficult to find it in the shops at this time of year. Tryptophan, an amino acid, helps boost serotonin (our brain’s main antidepressant hormone). Enjoy the meat in stir fries, burgers and even soup.
  4. Go dancing. Well, you love BBC1’s Strictly donchya? Seriously, a dance class is a brilliant way to exercise and socialise during the winter months. You and your partner can encourage each other NOT to go straight home to sit in front of the fire, or go to the pub for a hot toddy after work.
  5. Eat chocolate. Yes, really! But only the dark kind (70+ per cent cocoa solids) and just one or two squares. The reason for this is that dark chocolate is packed full of health-giving antioxidants. Not only that, but it’ll also give you an energy boost – something we all need at this time of year.
  6. Balance your blood sugar. Eat seasonal foods (parsnips, carrots, peas and beans) which, as well as being great for adding to warming stews, roasting and making soup from, tend to contain slow-releasing carbohydrates. This means you’ll feel far more energetic for longer. Adding spices such as turmeric and ginger, can help give her immune system a boost, while onions and garlic have a similar effect.
  7. Simulate exercise. If you don’t have one already, then invest in a WIfI Fit. This is great for exercising when it’s too cold to go outdoors, or if it’s snowing or raining. There’s also loads of different exercises to choose from, such as golf, tennis, swimming etc that you can exercise lots of different muscle groups at the same time.
  8. Be on your guard. For people who are coughing and sneezing, that is. Because we tend to be more confined to indoors in winter, it’s easier to pick up others’ bugs and germs. Avoid public transport (if you can) since it’s easy to pick up bugs from handrails and other surfaces. In the office, avoid using the keyboard of someone who is ill. If you’re worried, use an antiseptic wipe or spray.

 

There you are – follow at least half of the tips above and you should be feeling better than you did last winter. Do them all and others will be asking what your secret is.