How to Keep Health on Track in the Winter
By Sara Butler
When you’re trying to stay healthy, winter weather can put a real damper on things. In the winter, comfort foods high in fat and calories are king and it’s cold and dark outside for exercise – not a winning combination for continued health and wellness. Here are some strategies to help you stay healthy this winter.
Use Cold Temperatures to Your Advantage
When the thermometer drops, so does your motivation. But there’s an easy fix to this will keep you active even on the coldest days. You should do the chores outside that you need to in order to get you moving. Shovel the sidewalk or driveway, clean the ice and snow off your car, or even have a snowball fight with the family. As long as you get moving, no one says it has to be power walking or jogging.
Hydrate
When it’s cold outside you may not feel the need to drink as much water because you’re not too hot. But the winter can be a dry time of the year that saps moisture from your body. Balance your hydration by making it habit to drink a glass before you eat since that will help you control your portions at meals too.
And don’t forget that you don’t have to just stick with water. Have hot water with lemon or a few slices or orange. You can also opt for frozen berries.
Have Some Soup
Many people turn to comfort foods in winter to help keep them feeling warm. Nothing says comfort like a big steaming bowl of soup, but not all are created equal when you’re talking about health. Skip soups with heavy creams and opt instead for broth-based or tomato-based soups. Stews can be made healthy by taking out the carbohydrates and adding more protein such as beans and meat.
Focus on Health
When you’re hiding under six layers of clothes, it’s easy to let a few healthy habits slide. Once spring rolls around, you may start to panic if you don’t do something in the winter to help you stay healthy. You can avoid panic in the spring by focusing on how you feel now. Focus on your vegetable intake or adding more steps to your daily routine. That can help you stay healthy all winter and be ready for bathing suit season when it finally arrives.
Don’t let winter ruin your health and happiness – fight back!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Hoboken, N.J.