5 Winter Health Tips for How to Stay Healthy During the Winter Months
Health & Safety Tips
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Dec 4, 2021
The medical professionals at Complete Care are here to shed some light on how to stay healthy during winter months with five winter health tips. Evidence suggests that during the winter, our immune system can become suppressed due to the cold temperatures, meaning that we can become more susceptible to illnesses if we do not keep up with our healthy habits.
Though most of these winter health tips can be practiced year-round, some of them can be especially helpful when the temperatures start to dip. Here’s to a healthy winter!
How to stay healthy during winter months
How can we keep our body healthy in winter? If you follow these simple winter wellness tips, you’ll be able to spend more time with your loved ones and less time at the doctor’s office.
1. Get your flu shot
The flu virus typically spreads in the fall and winter months and is usually at its peak from December to February. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the flu seriously, even though it can lead to hospitalization or other severe health problems.
Your best chance at protecting you and your family against the flu virus is to get your annual flu shot. Remember, it’s never too late to schedule a flu shot, so do yourself and your loved ones a favor and sign up today! For more tips on staying well during flu season, visit our article.
2. Practice good hygiene and wash your hands
We understand that giving the advice of “wash your hands” can feel like a no-brainer, especially due to COVID-19. However, washing your hands before and after meals, after using the restroom, and after leaving public places can help protect you against any germs you may have encountered.
Scrubbing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can be the key to not catching the cold and flu viruses that are rampant during this time of year. Plus, who doesn’t love clean hands?
3. Stay active in a way you enjoy
As it begins to get colder, it can be tempting to stay inside all day and watch holiday movies on the couch. However, physical activity is the key to keeping your immune system healthy and your heart happy. Taking some time to go outside in the daylight can prevent vitamin D deficiency, just be sure to bundle up before you head out!
If you’d prefer to stay in, you can stay active by doing indoor workout videos on YouTube, cranking up the music for a dance party, or heading to an indoor gym. Be sure to stretch often to avoid muscle strain or a winter sports injury. Find an activity that you enjoy and stick with it! Once spring comes around, your body will thank you for all of the physical activity.
4. Drink plenty of water
When the temperature drops, we know you would prefer a warm mug of hot chocolate to a glass of water. However, hydration is extremely important year-round, even in the colder months.
Your body needs water to function properly regardless of the season, so continue to have a water bottle nearby at all times. Remember, soups and cups of tea can also count towards your fluid intake!
5. Eat healthy to store energy
Previous studies have shown that individuals take in more calories during the fall and winter months and consume a higher level of saturated fats. Especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, it’s likely that you will be doing a lot of eating this holiday season.
Believe us, you deserve to indulge every now and then! However, it’s important to eat healthy on a regular basis to keep your body healthy. Fruits and vegetables will help you keep your energy levels up when you may feel more lethargic. Try to drink around 64 ounces of water a day.
Winter safety tips
Along with knowing how to stay healthy during winter months, it is also beneficial to be prepared for the cold with these simple winter safety tips:
- Wear warm clothing inside and outside: The cold weather can cause our bodies to release heat more quickly, making us more susceptible to illnesses and hypothermia. Wearing warm clothing, regardless of where we are, can keep our body temperature regulated. Be sure to layer up especially if you are participating in outdoor activities like ice skating or shoveling snow!
- Keep a space heater: If your heating system is unable to keep you or your family warm in the winter, having a space heater can protect you all from cold temperatures. Be aware that there are many space heater safety tips to take into consideration while you use one.
- Have emergency kits ready: When the temperature drops, a number of emergencies can occur including power outages, pipes and roads freezing over, snowstorms, and more. It’s best to prepare for the unexpected by having an emergency kit ready in your home or in your vehicle. This kit may include flashlights, blankets and mittens, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, bottled water, canned foods, and other items that can be useful.
Need More Winter Health Tips? Complete Care’s Medical Staff is Here for You 24/7!
The medical experts at Complete Care want to be sure that you know how to stay healthy during winter months. However, if you do find yourself in a winter emergency including shortness of breath or a sprained foot, our emergency rooms are open 24/7 and do not require an appointment.
Complete Care offers hospital-grade emergency care with little to no wait times at our ER locations in both Texas and Colorado. No matter what injuries or illnesses you’re struggling with, we will take complete care of you!
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