While the holiday season brings much joy to people, it can unfortunately bring stress and sickness, too. Stay healthy this season with these tips from The Ed & Phyllis Davis Wellness Institute at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
Get Outside Often. It’s easy to avoid going outside in winter. A covered garage can mean going from car to office to car and back home without ever feeling that icy sharpness on your face. Staying inside for days on end can cause people to get sick. Get outside on days when the sky is clear and the temperature isn’t too frigid. Dress warmly, head out, and feel that winter sunshine. Admire how beautiful and clean your world looks when there is snow on the ground. You’ll feel much better after some fresh air…and even better, a good walk!
Keep Up the Exercise.Thumbs up if you have a goal to exercise more! Don’t begrudge yourself if things haven’t exactly gone as planned. We know that it can be harder to stay motivated when it’s cold outside and the days are shorter. Make the most of a beautiful sunny day by bundling up and going for a walk or run. If you prefer to stay inside, head to a local gym or fitness class!
Make the Most of Nutritious Winter Fruits and Vegetables: Eating during winter doesn’t have to be boring or vitamin deficient. Keep carbohydrate-laden foods such as white bread and pasta to a minimum and fill your plate with dark leafy greens, winter squash, citrus and pomegranate, all of which thrive in the chill of winter. These fruits and vegetables are laden with nutrients, antioxidants and fiber, which increase your energy, help keep that winter weight at bay, and help fight cancer, too. For more on eating for the winter season, click here.
Protect Your Skin From the Inside-Out and Outside-In: Cold, dry air quickly sucks moisture from your skin. Combine that with a blasting of hot air from a heating unit and some scratchy winter fabric and your skin can end up being one dry, itchy, scaly mess. Keep moisture locked into your skin with a moisturizer. Lather it on every time you bath or shower, or whenever your skin feels dry. Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated and eat foods like berries, which are high in antioxidants and lots of omega-3s (also found in salmon, walnuts, or omega-3 supplements), and consider using a humidifier to help add moisture to the air in a dry room.
Stop a Cold or Flu In Its Tracks: Maybe your throat has become a bit sore or scratchy. Perhaps your nose or eyes are starting to feel a bit congested. If you can feel a change in your health, but it’s still in the early stages, keep some natural remedies on hand to take at the first sign of a cold or flu. Olive leaf, garlic, echinacea, elderberry, vitamin C, and zinc may help boost your immunity and increase your resistance to those nasty winter viruses. For some more natural immune boosters and remedies, click here.
One Healthy Breakdown: don’t let winter get ya down!
*content provided by The Ed & Phyllis Davis Wellness Institute at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
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