As the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, Canadians know that winter is here. While the cold weather can be fun and exciting, it also brings a few health and nutrition challenges. Here are a few tips to help keep you healthy and nourished throughout the winter season and winterproof your body.
1. Get Plenty of Sleep:
The long, dark nights of winter can be tough on our energy levels. Make sure to get plenty of rest and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This will help to keep your mind and body in top condition. For more information on how to optimize your sleep, be sure to check out our blog "Optimizing Sleep for a Long Healthy Life".
2. Eat Healthy:
Eating a balanced diet is essential for staying healthy throughout the winter. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. Try to limit processed foods, sugars and saturated fats. When it comes to a balanced diet, micronutrients are just as important as macros. Be sure to include tonnes of vegetables and fruits or take a multivitamin if getting enough fruits and veggies is hard. Healthy fats are also key to hormonal balance.
3. Stay Hydrated:
It’s easy to forget to drink enough water when the weather is cold. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will help to keep your body hydrated and your immune system strong. Eating fresh fruits and veggies can also be a great source of water and hydration if you tend to forget to drink water regularly.
4. Get Outdoors:
With the cold temperatures, it can be tempting to stay inside. But getting outside and getting some fresh air is important for your physical and mental health. Bundle up and take a trip to the local ski hill or skating rink. If that's too complicated to plan, you can even just have fun in your local park by making snowmen and snow angels.
5. Take a vitamin D supplement:
Vitamin D helps to strengthen your immune system and can help to ward off colds and flu. This is especially important during the winter season as flu and cold cases are at annual highs. Vitamin D will also help combat the lower energy levels that come with the shorter days and colder weather of this time of year.
Following these Canadian winter health and nutrition tips can help you to stay healthy and enjoy the winter season. We hope this blog helps you have a safe, healthy and most importantly, happy winter!