Stay Healthy this Winter…Here’s How

Needless to say (then why say it?), this winter is a bit different than any other. During the winter months we tend to become more sedentary and eat in a more unhealthy manner due to the holidays and being stuck inside. We also contract various illnesses, such as the common cold and flu, that we avoid in warmer months. However, this winter, there’s an uninvited 800-pound gorilla in the room that everyone is talking about with the odd name of COVID-19. It has had a profound effect on what we do to keep ourselves, and others, healthy. With all that working against us, here are a few tips to help keep you healthy this winter…

Please take the advice of the health experts. Look, you’ve been harassed and harangued enough by friends, family, Target workers and TV talking heads, so I won’t do it here. But the numbers don’t lie, so please wear a mask when in public, wash your hands regularly, practice social distancing, and sanitize commonly used surfaces often. Did I say please?

Eat healthy even if that means keeping the junk out of the house. Many people will eat it if it’s readily accessible. That being the case, surround yourself with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and fiber, antioxidant and omega 3 fatty acid rich foods. If you find yourself with more free time on your hands due to being home more, then cook more by experimenting with healthy recipes. There are thousands of them online, like the ones located here.

If you’re not a cook, MagicKitchen.com has lots of easy meals to heat and eat!

Also, eating healthy helps keep your immune system working at peak performance and we kind of need that right now more than ever. One last thing, stay hydrated, even during cold weather. It helps flush toxins from your body.

Stay active even if you don’t own one of those annoying Peleton-bike-things. Unless it’s bitter cold out there or there are blizzard conditions, you can continue to walk/jog outside. If you just can’t handle when it drops below 40 degrees (or even 50, like the heat miser) then it’s exercise at home for you, especially if the gyms around you are closed. Try to get at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week and 45 minutes of strength training. Yoga is a great option. Again, there are plenty of online programs to get you started and keep you going, like the one here.

Do not skip doctor/dentist visits due to COVID, especially if you have underlying health issues or have a scheduled test or screening. Medical professionals have learned how to lower the risks for in-office visits, both for them and you. If you’re still reluctant, there’s always a telehealth visit, which will at least get you talking to your health care provider. There’s actually a post on MagicKitchen.com about telehealth written a few weeks ago.

Get vaccinated. No, not the COVID vaccine, unless you’re due one as a frontline health care worker, but a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are recommended every year because the flu virus mutates slightly from year-to-year, yet millions of Americans fail to get vaccinated. Also, if you’re over 65, it’s recommended that you receive a pneumonia vaccine too. A vaccine is a simple way to ensure you stay in good health this winter.

Chill out, or reduce stress as much as possible, even if that means changing the channel from your favorite cable news network to the Hallmark channel. Yes, these are stressful times but excessive stress can have a detrimental effect on our health, to include headaches, depression, muscle tension, upset stomach, high blood pressure and fatigue. Stress can also affect your sleep patterns and sleep deprivation has its own list of health-related issues, so try to get your eight hours every night.