When the weather gets cold, we wrap up warm and take the necessary precautions.
More and more people suffer with health problems at this time of year, more colds, more viruses, more infections on the chest and all lasting longer.
Some other “NORMAL” winter symptoms are……
Dry itchy skin /lack of lustre hair/brittle nails, low moods, disturbed sleep and general feelings of wanting too hibernate and stock up on calories.
Exercise becomes less attractive in this weather.
We spend as little time outside as possible and as nature intended, we hibernate until the weather gets better.
Here are some tips on how to beat the “WINTER BLUES”
We need to exercise more now than ever before. Exercise boosts your mood. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It aids the release of hormones which provide an excellent environment for the growth of brain cells. Exercise also promotes brain plasticity by stimulating growth of new connections between cells in many important cortical areas of the brain.
SKIN
Use a moisturiser with an oil base to block evaporation. Shower in lukewarm—not hot—water.
Use a humidifier to replenish moisture to the skin’s top layer.
Hydration
Make sure your fluid intake is high, it makes more sense in winter for us to drink hot drinks, so water with lemon is still a fantastic start just with hot water instead of cold.
Dehydration happens just as easy in winter as in summer, crazy I know, but we still lose water vapour through our breath. Actually, physical activity in cold weather increases fluid loss because of heavier and deeper breathing.
The colder months can also accelerate dehydration because us mammals have a survival mechanism that constricts blood vessels in cold weather, to conserve heat and maintain body temperature. Blood vessels shrink increases blood pressure, to lower the pressure, your kidneys make more urine, meaning less blood to fill veins and arteries, more frequent trips to the bathroom are a result and thus a greater risk of dehydration.
Also winter months make maintaining a healthy weight much harder if you are not drinking enough fluids. Cut back on processed foods and maintain a healthy balanced diet.
Processed foods are high in salt so they will also dehydrate you.
Dry air from central heating can also dehydrate you so make sure you keep a pot of water in the room as this helps by making the Water evaporate into the air and increases the humidity in the room.
Why not join me and get glowing through winter.
Maria
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