How To Stay Healthy This Winter

Find Your Motivation To Stay Healthy This Winter

It can be difficult to stay healthy in the winter. Infections like the cold and flu are more common, and lack of sunlight can make it hard to find the motivation to stick to a routine.

But it’s as important as ever to exercise, eat right and get enough sleep during the winter months. By keeping up with your health routine, you can experience:

• More energy
• Better mood
• Fewer illnesses
• Higher productivity

Let’s talk about some of the steps you can take to improve your overall well-being and stay healthy this winter.

Eat Well-Balanced Meals With Enough Protein

It’s harder to get fresh foods in the winter, but that doesn’t mean your diet has to take a hit.

Eating enough protein and healthy fats should be one of your top dietary priorities. Legumes like beans and lentils are great sources of plant-based protein, and a handful of nuts here and there will cover your healthy fat needs.

If your schedule’s tight and you don’t have enough time to eat a full meal, smoothies are a great on-the-go option. Fill your blender with nutritious foods like berries, spinach, yogurt or protein powder, and toss in a scoop of chia seeds to up the fiber and protein content.

You Don’t Need a Gym to Get Your Exercise

Doctors recommend between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate exercise each week; that’s roughly 30 minutes to an hour every weekday.

These can be hard targets to hit when it’s cold and the sun doesn’t come up until 7 o’clock.

Spreading your workouts throughout the day can make it more manageable. Instead of hitting the gym for an hour after work, try going for a 15-minute walk in the morning and then scheduling another for lunchtime.

There are also easy ways to be more active while you’re working. Investing in a standing desk or taking periodic walking breaks – even if it’s just to the kitchen and back – are great ways to get you up and moving.

Don’t Forget a Good Night of Sleep

Sleep is the key that brings all your other healthy habits together. On top of the standard 7 to 9 hours doctors recommend every night, it’s also helpful to spend the last hour of the day getting your mind and body ready for bed.

Consider including the following in your wind-down routine:

• Stretching
• Taking a bath
• Reading a book
• Dimming the lights
• Shutting electronics down

It’s critical that you maintain your sleep routine throughout the week, even on weekends. Don’t worry about a late night or a slow morning here and there, but regularly short-changing yourself can harm your sleep quality.

What to Do If You’re Feeling Discouraged

Start by scheduling meals and workouts in your daily agenda the way you do any other task. Putting these in your calendar can help you make time for your health priorities, while checking those items off your list can give you a boost of encouragement.

Depending on the challenges you’re facing, you might also consider:

• Adjusting your goals
• Bringing weights to work
• Finding a workout buddy
• Investing in winter active wear

Remember: Achieving your health goals never happens in a straight line – life gets in the way and there will be setbacks. The important thing is to stay committed – if you fall off your routine today, make sure to get back to it tomorrow.

As long as you’re trying your best, you’ll have a happier, healthier lifestyle.