Winter offers warmth, and wonder. From Christmas, to new year celebration, exchanging gifts, smiles and lots of good food. This is the season of eating meeting, enjoying seasonal fruits and veggies. However colder temperature, pollen fall and dry air may also bring along seasonal ailments. After the pandemic the risk and fear of any kind of allergy has become more threatening than earlier. This season increases incidents of cold, cough, fever, flu and aggravates health conditions like arthritis, joint pain, asthma, etc. Statistics also suggest that more people tend to suffer from heart attacks in winter hence you see deaths among older folks become more than any other time. Here are some important health tips to help you stay healthy this winter and avoid seasonal infections;
1. Keep Warm
The first thing you need to do is keep your body warm internally and externally. Dress well for the weather with coats, mufflers, caps, and other protective gear when you go out. Even when indoors, wear socks, shoes, earplugs and sweaters. Eat warm food, like hot soup, and food that keeps you warm. Enhance immunity by enjoying seasonal foods.
2. Moisturize Well
Your skin, scalp, and lips tend to get dry, dull, and hard throughout the winter. Cover your skin with a high-quality moisturiser, such as sunscreen or lip balms like petroleum gel, get a good head massage with warm oil, or even try a hair mask to avoid dandruff. People suffering from psoriasis and eczema must pay special attention to avoid itchy and dry skin problems.
3. Use herbs and spices
India has got wide range of cuisines, every state has its own speciality. Every 100 kilometers you will surely find a special dish of their style. These food items are made as per the ingredients cultivated there, as per the climate condition too, Hence it supports the health and healthy body development. Common herbal ingredients any Indian cuisines include are like turmeric, ginger, garlic, onion and many others. They help fight inflammation, maintain the health of your nasal passages, and boost your immune system.
4. Have dry fruits
Dry fruits and nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews raise your body temperature naturally. Dry fruits can do wonders for your winter diet when added to it.
5. Don’t miss seasonal root vegetables
Many winter root vegetables are high in carbohydrates and starch. Winter root vegetables, on the other hand, are complex, slow-burning carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates help you feel full and satisfied while not causing rapid blood sugar spikes. Carrots, radishes, beets, sweet potatoes, purple yams, and other root vegetables are common.
6. Sanitization is must
Sanitize your hands regularly to keep infections away. Wash well before eating, and after touching any contaminated things. At office or when outdoors keep sanitizer along.
7. Stay hydrated
Its normal not to feel thirsty in the winters. However, having enough water intake is one of the best things which you can do to avoid many of the winter ailments and dryness.
8. Eat fresh fruits
Increase your immunity by eating enough seasonal fruits that include oranges, strawberries, amla, papaya, kiwi, etc. in your diet.
9. Have enough fibre
It's a tendency to overeat during the winter months since it’s vital to stay warm. Instead of calorie-rich foods and fatty foods include more plant based foods that include soluble fibre and help aid your digestion.
10. Have leafy green vegetables
Dark leafy greens are high in vitamins A, C, and K as well as a number of other nutrients. Include spinach, fenugreek leaves, mustard greens, etc in your diet that not only improve your bone health but also aid in preventing dry skin during the winter.
11. Include Omega-3 fatty acids
These are the good fats found in foods like fish, nuts, and seeds of plants. In addition to lowering a person’s stress levels, they aid in reducing the body’s levels of joint pain and stiffness.
12. Workout is a must
In winter it’s normal to feel a little lethargic but this is the time when you can have a really good workout time. Workout at least 25-30 minutes to boost your immunity and fend off the seasonal illnesses that are typical during this time of year. Try some indoor exercises like yoga, aerobics, strength training, and other similar ones if the weather outside makes it impossible to exercise.
13. See to Vitamin C
We don’t need to tell much about Vitamin C, during the pandemic everyone has got enough information about Vitamin C benefits. Include Vitamin C supplements to your routine to immune your winter.