What To Know For Winter Wellness
If this chilly weather has you just wanting to crawl up under the covers, you are not alone. I’m even experiencing the same thing down south in Texas. Who knew Dallas also gets a winter and a very cold one at that. Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to maintain wellness 365 days of the year and not just when the sun is keeping everyone toasty and wanting to get outside:
Keep Warm With Seasonal Fruits And Vegetables: Nothing truly beats some warm soup or chili on a cold day. So it must be fate that a lot of seasonal fruits and vegetables fit right into tasty soup and chili recipes. Think of winter squash soup or chili with some leafy greens, carrots and celery. And if you don’t enjoy warm recipes, there are a number of ways to prepare the seasonal produce instead. Take advantage of extra indoor time to trial some of those new recipes you have saved for later.
Stay Hydrated: It is easy to get dehydrated in the winter months when you are not actively feeling hot and sweaty. However it is just as important to aim for that goal of 64 ounces of water per day during the cold months. Remember that you can always add some variety of liquids to meet your goal such as some herbal teas and broths.
Keep Moving: The benefits and importance of physical activity doesn’t vanish with the warmer weather going into the winter season. Getting in some movement will not only provide a good endorphin boost, but also keep you warm. Amongst the several other pros of continuous movement such as better heart health, better bone health, etc. If you want to brave the cold, you can participate in common winter activities such as skiing or ice skating. For those of you like myself who were not born for winter sports, indoor workouts are your best friend during the cold season. Have some fun with it by experimenting with new classes you have been wanting to try like yoga or a kickboxing class. My personal favorite choice for instructor-led classes is the Peloton app.
Prioritize Vitamin D: Natural sunlight is the easiest source of vitamin D for people unless you like eating oily fish on the regular. Therefore the winter months make it tricky to give your body the vitamin D that it needs. If you can’t get outside on a daily basis, focus on good dietary sources of vitamin D such as oily fish (salmon or sardines), egg yolks, and fortified milks. A supplement can also be a good choice during winter months to help you meet your vitamin D needs. If you want to learn more about dosing supplements or how to enjoy these vitamin-D rich foods in moderation, consider working with a health coach or registered dietitian nutritionist like myself.
Bundle Up And Practice Self-Care: That’s right, lounging around and keeping cozy during the cold months plays into winter wellness as well. Mental well-being still makes up an integral part of your health so focus on incorporating activities that are soothing for you. This can be maybe crawling up with a good book, blanket and candles or enjoying a hot bubble bath. Self-care can sometimes take a backseat in the warmer months when we are more busy with events and celebrations, so winter is the perfect time to prioritize it again.
Winter wellness is about more than just staying warm; it's about embracing the unique opportunities that the season offers for self-care. So, bundle up, step outside, and let the beauty of winter inspire your journey to well-being. Or maybe shift gears to more holistic indoor activities instead!