How to Stay Fit, Focused and Healthy Through Winter

Keeping Up With Your Health Routine This Winter

With darker days and holiday treats in abundance, winter can derail fitness routines. But with some planning, you can maintain your health without missing out on seasonal joys.

Stay Active Indoors and Out

There’s no special secret to staying healthy in the winter; sticking to your fitness routine as much as possible is the most effective way to do it.

That includes keeping up with your exercise schedule.

But that can be a challenge when the days are short and the weather is cold.

Cold weather may keep you inside, but you can still stay active with at-home exercises like aerobic exercise workouts (stationary bike, treadmill) and strength training (pushups, weights).

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, remember to dress in moisture-wicking layers, stay hydrated, check the weather and warm up properly to avoid injuries.

Eat Seasonal, Stay Healthy

Hot chocolate, holiday desserts and Valentine’s candies – we all know that winter is the season for sweets. Add to that many of the most nutritious foods are out of season, and you can see why winter is an especially difficult time to keep up with your diet.

Fortunately, there are plenty of foods in abundance this time of year, and many of them go great in soups, stews and casseroles. Healthy winter food options include:

• Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits
• Root vegetables like potatoes, squash and beets
• Leafy greens like kale and spinach

Prioritizing foods like these can help you maintain a well-balanced diet while also helping you take advantage of the unique nutritional benefits of winter.

Keeping the Winter Blues at Bay

Many people dread the winter months. Shorter days, lack of sunshine, cold weather and fewer social interactions can all contribute to mental health taking a dip.

If you’re feeling a little down in the winter, give the following a try:

• Get enough sunlight: It’s important to take advantage of the sunshine. Whether that means opening your shades to let more light in or going for a daily walk outside, getting sun exposure is one of the best ways to boost your mental health.
• Spend time outdoors: Coupled with some outdoor exercise, breathing in the fresh air can help ease your body and clear your mind. Even if it’s just for a few minutes each day, spending a little time outside can help improve your mental health.
• Stay connected with loved ones: The cold weather can make it hard to leave the house, but it’s important to stay in touch with friends and family. Planning a fun winter activity, organizing a dinner or even just the occasional phone call are all great ways to stay connected.

The above tips can help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you notice feeling down, depressed, hopeless or decreased energy, you should get in touch with your provider.