A New You: Winter Health Tips

The magic of winter is a phenomenon everyone should have the chance to experience. Setting up holiday decorations on your face, enjoying warm winter foods and drinks, and watching the snow fall are all parts of the enchanting winter spell. Try taking this winter season to take care of your body by getting fresh air, getting on top of your mental health, and preventing the flu and cold season. Be sure to also check out our Winter Wellness Page for more winter health tips and tricks of the season.

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How Fresh Air Can Prevent Sickness

Flu Season Tips

Seasonal Affective Disorder

How Fresh Air Can Prevent Sickness

The phrase “get outside and get some fresh air” has been said for years, but it isn’t just something your family says to get people out of the house. The CDC says that getting daily fresh air can prevent sickness. Respiratory viruses are a serious issue as the weather gets colder and more time is spent inside. In the warmer months, windows are open more often and the air is fresher and flows throughout the house. However, in cooler months windows stay closed and the air tends to stagnate and become stale. This increases the chance that virus particles can build up in the still air and infect your lungs. Respiratory virus particles have a harder time building up when air flow is newer and more constant so getting outside and taking a daily walk in nature is better for your physical and mental health. A nature walk exposes your lungs to fresh air that doesn’t contain the stagnant, virus particle air.

 If you don’t like nature walks or can’t get up and exercise as much, do not worry. You can update your home’s HVAC central air system and change its filter regularly. This will filter the air circulating in your home to not circulate stagnant, unfiltered air. Whether you get outside to get fresh air or not, keeping up with your air filters can significantly increase the circulating air quality in your home this winter. Stay ahead of respiratory illness this winter by keeping your lungs happy and healthy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, winter Health Tips

Flu Season Tips

As the weather is slowly getting colder and kids are headed back to school and exposed to more germs, the flu becomes a serious concern. It can be hard to keep your family healthy and sickness out of your home; however, getting your flu shot is an easy first step to fending off the flu. This can make or break your autumn, as once one person contracts the flu, it is extremely likely someone else in your home will contract it. Make your winter a little more manageable by keeping your skin moisturized and investing in a humidifier to ease symptoms of the flu and prevent drying out your sinuses and throat. Try some of our natural illness prevention methods to keep the family healthy and sanitize your home.

Winter Health Tips

Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a certain type of depression that is associated with the changing of the seasons. People with SAD usually start experiencing symptoms in the fall, and they last through the winter months. Symptoms can include reduced energy, changes in mood, loss of concentration, sadness, and feeling down, depressed, and worthless. These symptoms usually ease in the spring and summer months.

Most people can feel a little down when there is less sunlight; however, if you notice your behavior or a loved one’s behavior change and are less motivated to do things you would normally enjoy, consider taking some steps to increase your quality of life this winter. If you suffer from this disorder, there are steps you can take to ease some of the symptoms before winter sets in.

  • Start taking vitamin D. The majority of the population is vitamin D deficient, especially during the winter months, so increasing your vitamin D should be your first step.
  • Talk to your doctor about psychotherapy. Having a therapist to talk to and give you some personal suggestions to help your situation can be incredibly helpful.
  • Consider Light Therapy. Light therapy, or “SAD lamps” are lamps with a higher level of LED light and can be incredibly helpful when natural sunlight is not in abundance. Sit by your lamp consistently for about 30 minutes every day, and you might notice a difference in mood.

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