Winter season brings along a string of holidays with it. Social events, informal gatherings, and parties become all too common in the winter months. It becomes a little difficult for us to focus on our diet and exercise, which impacts the fitness levels comprehensively. Colder climate lessens the motivation to go out and sweat it in the gym either. We end up spending most of the time indoors, causing us to gain unnecessary fat over the months. However, we must realize that the winter season does not give us the license to be lazy and not suffer. The rules are still the same when it comes to health. Let us find some ways to stay healthy and lively this winters and make it all the more beautiful.
Remain hydrated
It is generally a tendency among the people to consume lower amount of water in the winters than the summer months. However, you should not let the weather define the importance of hydration. Keep taking your regular sips of water whenever the thirst strikes. Drinking water helps remove the accumulated toxins from the body. Besides, it also aids in maintaining the health of the skin, keeps the kidney well-functioning, and invigorates digestion.
Being dehydrated, on the other hand, can sap the body of the energy. Wake up in the morning and drink about 2 glasses of water first thing in the morning to keep the metabolism rate high throughout the day. A study suggests that our body requires a minimum of 3 litres of water per day to function well.
Indulge in working out
You should partake in at least about 150 minutes of exercises in a week to stay active. Skipping it shall only cause the body to feel bloated and add to the lethargy. So, get out of your bed and go to your gym or a park, whatever you think appropriate. Even as much as walking briskly and jogging can do wonders to the fitness of the body.
It is not a necessity to only perform the intense exercises. Some of the light exercises like push-ups, planks, and squats are good enough for the body to feel energetic. You can even choose to exercise at home in case you don’t feel like going out. Spending time doing these shall give a boost to your immunity and increase the release of endorphins in the body, also known as happy hormones. Apart from these, the circulation of blood in all parts of the body would improve significantly.
Focus on what you eat
What we eat is the source of all the nutrients the body requires. Thus, it is imperative to maintain a balanced diet. Indulge in a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds for their high nutritional value. In order to repair your tissues and keep your body in a good shape, consume protein-rich foods such as eggs, salmon, peanut butter, chicken, and pulses. Regardless of the misconception surrounding carbohydrates and fats, these nutrients are highly important for providing the necessary fodder to the likes of hearts, muscles, and brain. You can also try some herbal supplements like Echinacea, Probiotics, Astragalus root etc, There are many cheap supplements available in the market.
Eliminate foods such as refined sugar, processed grains, salt, white rice, and processed meat. They may taste well but are the major culprits behind the inflammation in the body. Even during the times you are travelling, switch the junk foods with healthy snacks including fox nuts, protein bars, and kale chips. Those looking to detox their bodies can opt for salads and fill it up with ingredients like that of cauliflower, celery, parsley, and bell peppers. You can also try some herbal supplements like Echinacea, Probiotics, Astragalus root etc for better immunity system. There are many cheap supplements available in the market for this.
Reduce the consumption of alcohol
Any event or a gathering does not seem complete without devouring a sweet glass of wine or whiskey. While having an alcoholic drink once in a while is absolutely fine, you should try limiting its consumption. Alcohol is known to aggravate the accumulation of unnecessary fats in the body. Skipping on it shall give a boost to your intentions of maintaining a healthy weight.
Reducing the intake of alcohol is likely to improve your appearance with the passage of time and increase the levels of positivity in you. Your performance at work is also likely to get better since a study suggests that less consumption of alcohol is linked with better concentration in the long run. Other benefits of lowering alcohol consumption include better motor coordination, higher self-confidence, less anxiety, and a healthy heart rate.
Sleep well
An adequate amount of sleep is necessary for the body to carry out the important functions with efficiency. A sleep time for at least 7-8 hours a day is a must for the body. This shall go a long way in replenishing the cells of the body, removing fatigue, lowering stress, and improving the functioning of the brain.
People who suffer from sleep deprivation on a regular basis risk damage to the cognitive abilities and remain low on energy most of the time. To facilitate better sleep, try using the essential oils for their ability to induce relaxation and calm the nerves. There may be days when you are not able to catch up on a proper sleep. Make that up taking a good amount of rest the following day so that the body can regenerate well.
The beautiful season of winters is all about spending time with your loved ones and living your life to the fullest. Make it a happy and a blissful one by including these simple tips in your day-to-day lifestyle.