Tips for staying healthy in the wintertime from Glacier Nurse Direct

We want to make sure you stay healthy and happy this winter. From getting good amounts of sleep to eating healthy & exercising, there are many things you can do to stay healthy.

Here are tips for staying healthy this winter.

Don’t Forget to Drink Water – One of the best things you can do for your health is to drink optimal amounts of water every day. Water plays a big part and it can keep you healthy during the winter.

Avoid Stressful Situations – Studies have linked high stress levels to making a person more susceptible to catching colds and flu. Try to minimize your stress and use your free time to rest and relax alone or with friends and family.

Eat Healthy – Eat food which is rich with vitamin C. It will help you keep your immune system strong and healthy during the winter. Try to include more fruit and veggies such as lemons, kiwifruit, capsicum and broccoli in your everyday meals.

Sleep Well – The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body is extremely vulnerable to illness. Sleep is very much like fuel that recharges your batteries!

Exercise – It’s really important to exercise regularly, even if only for 15 minutes a day! Get out and take a short walk and enjoy the cooler weather. Exercise is one of the best healthy habits recommended by many professionals and will keep you strong and healthy during the winter.

Wash Your Hands Regularly – Keep the bacteria and viruses off your hands and out of your mouth and eyes. Always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close-by for those instances where you can’t get to soap and water. Washing your hands is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick this winter. Florence Nightingale really did know a thing or two!

Get Your Flu Shot – When you receive a flu shot, you essentially receive an inactive form of the closest match to the flu virus for that year. Your body then forms anti-bodies formed specifically to fight off this type of virus. That way, when the real thing hits you already have a “reserve army” in your immune system that will attack this virus at first contact. This is a safe and effective way to be proactive against fighting off illness.

Vitamin D - is critical for healthy bones, immune function and mood regulation. Unfortunately, many people have vitamin D deficiencies that can get even worse in the wintertime. To ensure that your vitamin D levels don’t dip too low, aim to get outside for 10 to 20 minutes each day and load your plate with vitamin D-rich foods, like fatty fish and fortified cereals. Here in the valley where sunshine is minimal during the winter, consider a good Vitamin D supplement as well.

Practicing self-care - can be difficult, especially in the winter when our motivation and energy levels are at an all-time low. But oftentimes, winter is when we need self-care the most. So, try to look for small ways to incorporate self-care into your daily winter routine.

Take care of your skin - The frigid, dry air outside and indoor heating can take a toll on your skin during the winter. Use a good moisturizer daily and avoid those super hot extra long showers. Your skin will thank you.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!