Winter brings shorter days and colder evenings. The season also sees an increase in cold-related illnesses, including frostbite, hypothermia, and chilblains. And as people congregate inside homes and offices, the risk of virus transmission increases.
With this, people need to find ways to stay healthy when winter arrives. Aside from engaging in physical activities, they should also eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated during the cold season. Here are the different ways for people to stay fit during winter.
Perform Indoor Exercises
Even as exercising outdoors is not an appealing option for many people, they should still engage in physical activities while staying inside their homes. The exercises that they perform depend on the available space they have.
But after spending much of the year inside, people will know what exercise regimens they should perform while inside their homes. These exercises include push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. Other options include yoga, calisthenics, and using a stationary bike.
Following online workout videos is also another way for people to try new exercises at home. But having a home gym is the best way for anyone to stay fit and healthy, even if they stay home for winter.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is also essential to stay healthy when the cold season comes. People should prepare a well-balanced meal plan consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats, poultry products, and milk. These are all important to support the body and allow it to resist infections. They also strengthen immunity.
People who work over winter should know that a couple of healthy work lunch ideas do not require reheating. This allows them to prepare the food ahead of time and not worry about putting them inside the microwave when lunchtime comes. Aside from not requiring reheating, these food recipes are also healthy, which is essential these days, considering that the pandemic is not yet over.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is also crucial since around 83 percent of blood is made up of water. The water helps bring nutrients to the cells of the body. It also transports oxygen to the same cells. Water also helps regulate body temperature and removes waste products from the body.
The kidneys and liver use water to eliminate toxins and harmful compounds that enter the body. Water also helps the body control blood pressure and remove excess sodium. Additionally, water allows the joints to function properly.
So, staying hydrated during winter is vital for people to stay healthy and fit.
Do Not Discount Seasonal Affective Disorder
When winter comes, some people have less energy and feel sad due to the weather. These are just some symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a mood disorder that occurs at the same time each year. It affects millions of Americans, and experts are still trying to figure out its cause. Some scientists point to certain hormones that trigger the feeling of depression during specific times of the year.
People should not disregard this disorder since it is a real medical condition. The other symptoms of the disorder include fatigue, a cranky feeling, weight gain, and wanting to be alone. One way to treat the disorder is to get as much natural light as possible during winter. This means people should go out in the morning while the sun is up.
Get a Flu Shot
Aside from the vaccine for the virus causing the pandemic, people should also get a flu shot. Getting a flu shot is essential to increase the ability of the body to fight or recover from the common flu. People should visit their doctor and have themselves vaccinated.
Symptoms of flu include fever, congestion, fatigue, and cough. Avoiding these symptoms is possible if people get the shot. They should also encourage the other family members to get a flu shot to reduce the risk of getting sick.
Go Outside Whenever Possible
While many people prefer to stay indoors during winter, it will affect their mental health. So, it’s a good idea to go out whenever possible and get some fresh air. Going outside also allows them to absorb vitamin D from the sun, which helps improve immunity.
Wearing suitable clothing is essential and moving around reduces the instances of feeling cold when people go out of the house. Exercising outdoors also makes people feel happier, especially if they perform physical activities outside the home.
Winter has a significant effect on the health of people. Due to this, they should find ways to avoid getting physically and mentally sick when the cold weather comes.