5 TIPS FOR WINTER WELLNESS

When we think of “Winter” the first thing that comes to mind: cold dark days. To avoid that doom and gloom feeling, here are some tips to keep you feeling great and ready to take on any winter day this season!

1. Wash your hands with hypoallergenic soap and warm water regularly to prevent you from catching a dreadful cold. You learned this in kindergarten and it still applies! Proper washing removes germs from your hands so that they are not then able to enter your body through eyes, nose, or mouth (which we touch more often than we realize). It also prevents the spread of germs to objects or food that others would then touch or eat. Most important of all – always wash your hands before you consume food and ESPECIALLY after you use the restroom.

2. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep! Getting adequate sleep allows your body to rest, restore, and rebuild. Studies have found that those who don’t get enough sleep have high levels of inflammation, which preoccupied your immune system. As tempting as it is to stay up late and binge-watch your favorite Netflix show, sleep should be your first priority.

3. Give yourself some TLC – herbal teas are a great way to ward off winter’s chill and support your winter wellness needs. Teas that contain the inner bark of elm trees play a role in Native American herbal medicine for hundreds of years.

4. Consuming Vitamin C plays a role in maintaining a healthy immune system which is something we could all use during this time of year. There have been many studies showing positive effects of Vitamin C on fighting colds which decrease the symptoms and physical conditions. Fruits and vegetables that have high Vitamin C particularly are bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, kale, and tomatoes.

5. Exercise during the cold dark months is very important! Moderate exercise increases blood circulation that carries immune cells throughout the body, supporting your body’s immune health during this season when it is especially important. The frequent activity also helps to reduce stress.