Tips for Staying Healthy This Winter

During winter it's important to stay healthy. No one wants to deal with a cold or cough when they’re trying to manage their workloads or childcare. That’s why it’s important to take the steps necessary to give yourself and your family the best protection against annual winter colds. Here are some tips for staying healthy this winter. 

Exercise Regularly 

We all know some of the benefits of regular exercise. It helps to maintain a healthy weight, bones and heart. But regular exercise can also help to maintain a strong immune system, which in turn helps the body fight off viruses and infections. Several studies have suggested that maintaining regular exercise in the winter months can help you to stay healthy in more ways than one. Not only can it boost your immune system, but it can help to maintain your mental health too. 

Minimise Stress 

Stress can have a huge impact on your physical well being. Although stress is related to mental health concerns, studies have shown that living with prolonged stress can negatively impact your general health and weaken your immune system. During the winter months and with limited daylight hours, it’s important to take time out for yourself and address your stress. Committing to a self-care routine, meditation or gentle exercise such as yoga can all help to alleviate stress over the winter months. 

Eating a healthy diet 

It’s important to make sure that you are eating a healthy and balanced diet throughout winter. Vegetables and fresh fruits have plenty of vital vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy immune system. During winter it can be difficult to eat healthily, especially with Christmas and other winter festivities often involving unhealthy foods and overindulgence. However, adding an extra portion of vegetables with your meal or snacking on fresh fruit can help to give your body the extra help in maintaining a strong immune system.  

Vitamin supplements 

Sometimes it can be hard to achieve the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. In colder weather, we need to ensure that certain vitamins are topped up in order to give our immune systems the best chance at fighting off colds and flu. The lack of daylight during the winter months can often lower our levels of vital vitamins, such as vitamin D, which we usually get from sunlight. Taking vitamin supplements, like multivitamins can help to maintain and top-up your natural vitamin levels, keeping your immune system fighting fit when you need it most. It’s important to note that although taking vitamin supplements can help to boost your overall vitamin intake, they should not be used as a replacement for a healthy diet. 

Keep warm 

Cold weather during winter is unavoidable, especially when living in the UK. If you commute to work or school on cold mornings or evenings, it’s vital that you dress accordingly. Wrap up in a warm coat, hat and gloves to keep your body temperature at healthy levels, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. At home, try to make sure that the heating is on or wear extra layers to ensure that you are not cold for very long. 

Drink plenty of water 

Water has a variety of health benefits. Staying hydrated throughout the day is a key tip for staying healthy. By drinking plenty of fluids can help to flush out any potential viruses like colds from the body’s system. Drinking plenty of water can also aid in carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells and help to regulate body temperature. Try bringing a water bottle to work or school to help you remember to drink plenty during the day. 

We hope you’ve found these tips for staying healthy during winter helpful. Living a healthy and active lifestyle during winter may seem challenging, especially as the weather gets colder. But it’s important to take extra steps to help maintain your immune system. 

Visit Pharmacy Online for more information and a range of medications via our online doctor service to help you stay healthy this winter.