When the days become shorter, and it starts to get chilly outside, especially early in the morning, it can be easy to retreat into your cocoon of warmth and remain hibernating all Winter.
But it’s important to keep up a regular fitness routine, and to vary your diet beyond hearty stews and meat pies, even though it’s what you’ll be craving when dinner time rolls around most evenings! So how do you overcome the Winter slump? Well, we aren’t going to lie. It requires a lot of determination, perseverance and self-control. And a good dose of common sense when it comes to staying healthy during flu season, too! But we’ve put together a list of tips to assist you in staying as fit as a fiddle through this sometimes trying time of the year.
Balance out that comfort food
Your stomach may be urging you to go for the chips and gravy every lunch break, but it’s important to keep up your vitamins. This means eating fruit and veg. Now we know a chilled apple probably isn’t what you’re after when it’s cold and rainy outside, so why not try making your own hearty soups, packed with a range of colourful, nutritional veg? Just be careful when buying soups from the grocery market, as they can often be very high in salt, and not so good for cholesterol levels! Homemade is always best, as you don’t want to spoil your food with all those nasty preservatives. Plus, your lovingly prepared soups will still keep for ages if you chuck them in your freezer. We recommend a minestrone soup, as it incorporates those carbs you’re craving (choose wholemeal pasta!) as well as a wide range of vegetables.
Join a team sport or group fitness class
Plenty of team sports start during the Winter season, and the good news is, that many of them can be played indoors. From indoor soccer to netball, squash or even ice hockey! If you’re after something a little less competitive, group fitness classes such as pilates or yoga can also be enriching. Joining a team sport or group fitness class will help you stay motivated to exercise even when the wind is fierce, and that sideways rain is hitting hard! They’re great for boosting morale, and the consistent routine of practice/classes and official games every week will mean that you’re not only achieving regular exercise, but you’re also enjoying social time. After all, you can’t just huddle on your couch all Winter binging on Netflix, no matter how tempting the idea may be!
Wash your hands!
Yes, we know that this one is a no-brainer, but it’s ever so important, especially during flu season. Be sure to wash your hands before touching food and after you go to the bathroom. Every. Single. Time. If you work in an office, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk, and regularly clean your keyboard with putty or spray and wipe disinfectant. If there are people around you who are sick, Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Spray is your best friend. It does a great job at keeping any airborne germs at bay; just check that no one around you is asthmatic before dousing the area.
Drink herbal tea
When it’s cold outside, we naturally crave hot drinks. But instead of the coffee that often fuels your work, consider swapping it out to herbal tea, and cutting back to one caffeinated beverage per day. Herbal teas such as green tea and rooibos are excellent antioxidants and flavours such as peppermint and ginger actively combat viruses. Peppermint will also ease bloating, which may or may not have been caused by an indulgent meal high in carbohydrates! Chamomile tea will assist in soothing the nerves and is often reported to aid sleep. As is commonly known, lemon and honey tea will alleviate a sore throat, and echinacea tea will boost your immune system to fight off the common cold. Herbal teas are great for lending a helping hand to your body, but if you feel sickness coming on, you should always consult your doctor.
Seek professional assistance for stiff joints and sore muscles
Stiff joints are common in cold weather, and not just for the elderly! If you’re experiencing increased tension in your back and shoulders, headaches and jaw pain, or seized muscles and joints in your legs and feet, you should see a specialist. Not sure if you need to see a masseuse, a physiotherapist or a podiatrist? Or whether you would benefit from acupuncture? At BodyViva, our team of highly trained professionals specialise in all of these services and can recommend the best course of action for treating your ailment. Our versatile approach to managing pain means that you aren’t locked down to one service, but can move about our clinic depending on which therapy will best suit your recovery plan.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you live a life free from pain this Winter.
