Winter is sometimes considered the most wonderful time of the year, but after Christmas has passed and the cold really starts to set in, it can be the hardest season to endure.
Between the cold, snow and gloomy feeling, winter seems to present some hardships, and it can be hard to keep yourself healthy throughout the season. Both physically and emotionally, winter can take its toll. When you are caught up in the rush of a semester, taking care of yourself might be the last thing on your to-do list.
Incorporating a daily multi-vitamin into your routine is a great start to healthy living. Taking a vitamin each day will provide you with the nutrients you may not be getting, such as vitamin D, which is usually obtained through sun exposure. A daily vitamin can also help strengthen your immune system, which is especially important during cold and flu season.
Some of the most important vitamins to look for when choosing a multi-vitamin are vitamins A, C and E. If you don’t want to take a supplement try looking for foods that contain those vitamins such as oranges (vitamin C), nuts (vitamin E), and milk (vitamin A).
Remember to bundle up. This one sounds like a no-brainer, but staying warm when walking from class to class will help lots in terms of staying healthy.
Take extra care in keeping not only your head and hands covered and warm, but also your neck. Use a scarf or a coat to cover it, especially when it is both cold and windy. Keeping your neck warm will help prevent a sore throat and even help one go away if you are already sick.
Find time to exercise. During the summer months it is easy to go outside for a run, do some yoga under a tree or go swimming. In the winter, however, you may find it hard to even take your dog out long enough to go to the bathroom. Make a point of being sure to get some form of exercise in this winter.
The American Heart Association suggests about 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. While you can’t exactly go outside for a run when the sidewalks are slick with ice, I would recommend trying out one of the fitness classes at the REC, or doing a few laps in the pool. Not only will exercise keep your heart feeling healthy, but it can also prevent stress, which is very useful in combating the winter blues.
The gloomy winter season can sometimes bring up depression or bouts of sadness. Keeping a positive attitude during some of the most depressing months can be challenging, but it will keep you healthy both mentally and physically. Make a point of doing something relaxing that you enjoy every day. A positive attitude and outlook on life will help keep your immune system high, and keep you feeling good the whole winter.
Don’t forget to rest up. Be sure that you are getting between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. While you are asleep your immune system is still hard at work fighting off the possibility of illness.
That also means that if you are not getting enough sleep, your body is not being given enough time to fight off illnesses, leaving you more vulnerable during the daytime. Getting the right amount of sleep will also prevent you from feeling sluggish during classes and throughout your day.
While winter may leave you feeling chilled to the bone, if you follow these few tips and stay positive you will find the season much more tolerable and may even be able to enjoy it. Just ensure that you are taking extra care of your body and mind during the season and instead of focusing on the grey skies, take a look at the beautiful snowflakes falling from them.