Winter is a trying time for healthcare. Lots of people get sick from winter illnesses like colds and the flu, and many people also suffer mentally due to the darker days and extended nighttime hours. It can be harder to find the motivation to stay healthy and keep active when it’s cold, wet, and dark outside, but it’s more important than ever to make an effort to keep moving and for staying healthy in winter and in good health at this time of the year.
Not everyone has the provisions to stay safe and cozy during winter, hence the need for winter appeals, but if you have the means to do so, it’s imperative you make the effort to look after yourself as the cold weather sets in. Here are some of the ways you can stay healthy this winter.
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Wrap up warm
The most obvious yet effective step you can take to keep healthy in winter is to wrap up warm. There are many health complications that can present themselves when you’re exposed to the cold, including hypothermia and frostbite. With this in mind, make sure your winter wardrobe includes plenty of warm jumpers, thermal socks, proper underlayers, and a hat, scarf, and gloves set.
This will ensure you have the means to stay warm and protect your skin from exposure to colder temperatures. Make sure you wear a waterproof coat when it’s wet outside, and try and keep the bitter winds off your face by covering up with a thick scarf.
Take vitamin D
There is less sunshine in winter which means you’re at a greater risk of suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. During spring and summer, your body can get vitamin D from the sunlight, but due to people spending more time indoors during winter, and there being less daylight hours, it can be difficult to get sufficient amounts of vitamin D at this time of the year.
Vitamin D deficiencies can cause rickets and bone pain, making it essential that you take a supplement to keep your levels up. You can also get vitamin D from certain foods such as salmon and egg yolks, so it’s worth adapting your winter diet a bit if you don’t want to take a supplement.
Heat your home
It’s not healthy to be cold, so it’s important you heat your home adequately. The World Health Organization recommends that your house doesn’t dip below 18˚c. An easy way to manage this is to set your heating to automatically kick in when it dips below 18˚c. This will keep your home at a tolerable temperature that isn’t detrimental to your health.
If you live is a cold home, it can aggravate asthma and pulmonary conditions, but it can also contribute to poor sleep, circulation issues, and a greater risk of infections. To help further keep you warm, make sure you have lots of blankets and hot water bottles to hand as an add on to a heat source.
Get your flu vaccine
The final tip we have for keeping safe and healthy in winter is to get your flu vaccination. This will greatly reduce the chances of you falling ill with influenza. Many people mistake a cold for the flu, but the flu can be deadly which is why it’s important to get your shot if you are eligible.
Summary
These are just some of the tips we have for staying healthy in winter. Pair these tips with plenty of hydration, ample exercise, hot drinks, and warm, nutritious meals and you should be fighting fit in the cold weather.
