Winter is officially here in full swing, and this means that many are also dealing with its common problems. Many people out there simply “survive” throughout the winter and then get their life back together for spring, summer, and autumn. But what if you could actually enjoy winter, too? Sure, the cold, rain, and/or snow may not be your thing, but that winter doesn’t have to be a time of misery, either! Here are some tips for how to help you enjoy a productive, healthy, and -- dare we say it -- enjoyable winter season!
Is wintertime bad for your health?
Ignoring the actual winter weather moment, it’s essential to carefully look at winter and its true potential for creating problems. Like summer, it is a harsh season in many climates that is unforgiving and can be bad for your health. Our bodies crave sustaining foods ripe with sugar and warmth, which is often one of the reasons why many people will reach for New Zealand Manuka honey on a cold morning or a blustery evening.
Acknowledging that the actual wintertime can be a problem and bad for your health is vital to correctly addressing the problem. Let’s take a look at those real problems and equally real solutions.
What are some of the most common winter problems?
Whether you live in a rainy or snowy climate in the wintertime, here are some of the most common health problems associated with this season.
1. Asthma and respiratory conditions
Those with asthma or similar respiratory issues (including allergies) will find winter especially bad. We all spend more time indoors, leading to more pet dander and dust. As well, most don’t open their windows, so air gets stale and dry even with an HVAC running. Combine that with potentially cold and dry air outside, and it’s hard on those with pre-existing conditions.
2. The flu
The flu season is especially rampant in the winter. Technically, it exists year-round and can be a common problem at any point. However, the cold and miserable weather can cause people to spend more time inside closed quarters with heating and other centralized systems running.
3. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This is a particular vein of depression related to the changing of the seasons. It happens going into the winter season for most, but it can happen coming out of winter, too. While the exact cause remains unknown, most determine that it’s to do with a drop in serotonin due to the decrease in sunlight attributed with this season.
4. Dry skin and brittle hair
Most of us deal with skin that just feels like it’s one size too small! From our faces to our hands and feet and everything in between -- it’s like their hydration source just suddenly disappears. Combine that with limp and lackluster hair, and it’s a frustrating and full-body problem!
5. Weight gain
Many find that they pack on the pounds during the winter months. Whether it’s the aftermath of a delicious holiday season, a more sedentary lifestyle due to being indoors, or the need for comfort food, it happens to most people even with the best intentions. However, this weight gain can lead to health problems following you long after winter has passed!
How to beat winter’s common problems
So, taking a proper look at these common problems with the winter means that we also need to understand the solutions. Can we just take a joint health supplement when we want to soothe those achy and cold joints? Or perhaps enjoy some honey in our tea to help quell a cough? Sure, but there’s going to be a whole lot more that we can do, too, to help our bodies feel their best even in the depths of January and February.
1. Keep your home clean
Sure, no one wants to waste time cleaning, but it really can help those who struggle with respiratory illnesses and asthma. Change your linens once a week, make sure you keep your air filters clean (replace them as directed), and so on. As well, help curb stale and still air by opening the windows to those common living areas (living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms) a few times a week to help things “freshen up.”
2. Prioritize diet and immunity
You’ll need to make sure that your diet stays a priority so that you can do what you can to keep your immunity high! Don’t overlook the potential of an immune support supplement, either. This can help supplement your diet where you need a little extra, and it’ll do you an excellent service in boosting your immunity. Plus, the peace of mind helps a lot!
3. Get your sunshine
If you want to help counteract SAD or at least help curb its symptoms in your life, make sure that you get our sunshine. It might be literal sunshine, or perhaps it’s supplemented through Vitamin D or a UV light. Whatever works best for your lifestyle or preference, make sunshine a priority!
4. Care for your skin and hair
If you want to help hydrate your skin and scalp and help your hair enjoy that healthy and natural sheen, the best choice for your skin and hair masks includes Manuka honey from New Zealand. You can also enjoy it as a cleanser if you want to rely on it daily!
Also Read: Story of Manuka, The Bees, and Honey
5. Exercise and prioritize your health
If you don’t want to go for a run in the cold rain or snow, we don’t blame you! However, you are going to want to stay active. Consider investing in a gym membership or doing some form of exercise right at home through aerobics, a treadmill, or an elliptical machine! This will help you keep excess weight off and give you that “feel-good feeling” of staying active.
What happens to your body in the winter?
Our bodies are the same, technically speaking, but some changes occur during the winter. The shorter days mean that there is less exposure to sunlight. This can disrupt the biological clock, and it also can create a drop in serotonin levels. This causes sleep disturbances and mood disruptions that can have real, life-changing impacts.
Winter is also brutal for asthma since wet or dry and cold temperatures make asthma attacks more frequent. One of the best ways to help ward off the chill and treat your body right is through multifloral Manuka honey, sine it can soothe a sore throat and give us some much-needed (healthy) sugar!
Why does the flu get worse in the winter?
Experts believe that there are two reasons why the flu gets worse during the winter season. Firstly, dry and cold air helps the virus survive easier, and it has more potential to transmit to new people.
The second reason, much the same with COVID-19 transmission, is that many are spending much more time inside, bringing people together in closed spaces. This also eases transmission from one person to the next! This is just another reason why an immune support supplement will be so important.
Understanding the potential risks of winter and how to counteract them is going to be essential for helping keep yourself safe and helping your health remain a priority all year long. While no rule says you need to enjoy winter, there is one that says you have to get through it! These tips and suggestions will help you do just that.
