Simple and Easy Winter Health Tips
Chilly temperatures have made their way to various regions across the nation. As a result, individuals will find themselves inside more often, missing out on the benefits of outdoor air and sunlight. Sadly, this reduction in sun exposure may result in significant vitamin deficiencies, increasing susceptibility to illnesses. However, it’s not entirely a bleak scenario. By taking measures to enhance your health today, you can ensure that by the time winter arrives in your locality, your immune system is well-equipped to defend you.
Stock Up On Vitamins
If you want to survive the winter without getting sick (or with very few illnesses), then you’ll need vitamins D and C on hand. Since most people are deficient in them both already, you can take smaller doses daily to ensure you get what you need. That way, when you’re exposed to an illness, your body will be better able to fight it off. Having extras on hand will also help ensure you have them to load up on extra if you do feel sickness coming on. Make sure to find options with as few fillers as possible. In addition to making sure you get your daily vitamins, it’s important to stay hydrated during the cold and dry months too. IV hydration can rehydrate you, boost your immune system, and help prevent dry and cracked skin too.
Get Preventive Tests Now
Going to the doctor means you’re more likely to be exposed to illnesses. If you need preventive tests like a pap smear, you can easily get them done before cold and flu season is in full swing. If you’d prefer not to go to the doctor at all, you can do cervical cancer testing with a kit from Hologic Women’s Health. If doctors make you nervous, it’s the perfect solution, as you can test from the comfort of home, mail in the kit, and check your results through a secure online portal.
Find Ways to Stay Active
You and your kids don’t need to be couch potatoes all winter long. One of the best ways to survive winter with your health intact is to stay active. Whether you bundle up and go for walks outside, you head to the gym, or you prefer to do workout videos from the comfort of your living room, there are plenty of ways to keep your body moving during the colder months. The bottom line is that exercise improves your immune system, and you’ll need that if you want to stay healthy in the winter — and all year long.
Eat Some Soup
Feeling a little under the weather? There is a reason your grandma prescribed chicken soup when you were sick. Not only does it contain lots of nutrients, but the heat of the broth can also open up sinuses and make it easier for you to breathe. It’s also easy on your stomach when you don’t feel like eating, even though you know you need to eat something to restore your health. Whether you prefer a hearty beef stew or a simple chicken soup, it’s always best if you make it fresh at home.
Disinfect Your Home
Did you know you can inadvertently bring home all sorts of pathogens on your coats, shoes, and hands? First of all, you should be washing your hands with soap and water throughout the day, and use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash them right away. If you regularly disinfect your doorknobs, faucet knobs, and other surfaces you regularly touch, you can remove many of the harmful pathogens before they make you sick. Additionally, washing your sheets and pillowcases, as well as regular vacuuming, can also make a big difference.
Have Fun
When you do fun things, you get a boost of happy hormones in your brain, which leads to overall good health. Having fun even on cold and dreary days can help banish the winter blues and keep you healthy until the weather warms up again. It’s important to do activities you and your children enjoy, too. Play games, go to parks on nicer days, visit children’s museums, or go ice skating. Enjoy all the winter holiday activities and so much more. You’d be amazed at how a fun day can boost your mood and help keep you feeling healthy.
Take Mask Breaks
The fact is, you need oxygen. You also need to exhale toxins and pathogens, too, so they don’t build up in your system. Step outside from work as much as possible and pull down your mask occasionally so you can get the break you need. For schoolchildren who wear masks, you can send multiple clean masks to school with them daily. Encourage them to change their dirty one for a clean one at least a few times a day. This habit can help reduce the risk of illness for both you and your children.
