Embrace the Winter by Focusing on These 4 Things
The darker and colder days of winter bring unique challenges, especially when it comes to staying on top of your health. A thoughtful approach to taking care of your health can make all the difference! Stay on top of these four areas of wellness to keep your mind and body thriving during the winter months.
1. Eat well and hydrate
Stick to a heart-healthy diet during the winter, with seasonal produce and healthy fats.
Shop for winter produce: Eating seasonally can keep your meals and snacks fresh all year. Stock up on nutrient-packed winter produce like sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and dark leafy greens. [1]
Choose heart-healthy fats: Keep consuming sources of omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts to support heart health through the winter. [2]
2. Move your body
Exercise is important all year, even when it’s cold out. Keep moving with indoor workouts and outdoor activities.
Take your workout indoors: If you’re used to jogging, biking, or doing other exercise outdoors, the colder months are a nice opportunity to try something different. Consider adding workouts you can do indoors like swimming, yoga, or sessions you can do at home. [3]
Bundle up and head outside: If you’re up for a winter adventure, embrace colder conditions by layering up and taking a brisk walk. An outdoor walk is an opportunity to get sunlight, which can improve your mood. [4]
3. Keep up with your health appointments
Plan for challenging weather conditions so that you can keep up with your healthcare visits.
Explore virtual care options: Look into your options for online healthcare visits when in-person visits are hard to get to. [5]
Communicate with your care team: Stay in touch with your doctor about any changes in your health and keep up with your regular visit schedule, even if that means changing them due to weather. [6]
4. Keep stress in check
Feed your sense of purpose: Having a sense of purpose means simply means living by your values and life goals. It’s been associated with better heart health, a lower risk of depression and more. Winter is a great time to look within yourself to get clear on your personal values. When you know your values, you can bring a sense of purpose to your everyday life. [7]
Connect with people: It can be hard to leave your home when it’s chilly, but keeping social activities in your routine can help prevent loneliness. Find ways to spend time with people that leave you feeling like you’re part of a community. [8]
Take control of your experience this winter. It’s possible to stay positive and even thrive during a season that can be cold and dark. Focus on feeding your body well, getting enough physical activity, sticking to your healthcare visits, and working through stress. With your health and wellbeing in mind, you can move through the winter season with confidence.