stay healthy this winter

Beat the Winter Blues – 7 Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter

Freezing cold? Check. 4 layers of clothing? Check. No wish to leave the bed? Check. Loving the sun during daytime? Check again. It’s official. Winter has come to Nepal. It’s that time of the year again when doing anything else but cuddling up in your bed seems a pain. Yes, we all know it. Having to don layers and layers of clothing that hinder your limb movement just so you can stay healthy this winter. And if you travel by a motorbike or a scooter, the cold has just another dimension to it. When the temperature is around 10 Degrees Celsius, it doesn’t matter even if you’re wearing three pairs of gloves, your hands will freeze to the point that it feels like your nails are about to fall off.

Even with all the toil and trouble, winter is still one of our favorite seasons. Shorter shifts at work, you don’t sweat a lot, the sun becomes your friend, you sleep better as your cozy bed never gets any uncomfortable, and your winter wardrobe allows you to eat to your fullest. (wink)

But it’s all the more easier to catch viral infections like cold and pack on the unhealthy habits. Therefore, we are here to show you 7 ways to stay healthy this winter. Read on to know how.

Get Moving!

man walking

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While it can sound torturous to leave the spot you’ve made cozy and warm, moving around is a must if you want to stay healthy this winter. Even small bouts of movement throughout the day can have positive benefits. Even studies from the University of North Carolina has found that people who get 3 hours of moderate activity a day are 35% less likely to catch a cold. Especially if you work a desk job, make sure you get up and move around every hour or two. And while you’re up and about how about you grab some…

Water

water bottle

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Staying hydrated is important. Period. It’s most important if you’re battling a cold. Staying at optimum hydration makes sure your immune system is kicked into high gear and helps you recover faster. However, keep your fluid intake within the normal range. Too much of it can be unnecessary.

Keep Your Hands Clean

washing hands

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Do we need to explain why? No? Yeah, we thought so. Make sure you wash your hands several times a day with soap and water. Alternatively, carry a hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. Your hands could be the gateway for those Rhinoviruses entering your system. Keep. Them. Clean.

Drink Up the National Beverage

tea in a transparent cup

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Winters are the best time to stay even more faithful to the nation’s favorite beverage – Tea. Tea comes with numerous benefits for your health. Those commercials are true! We are Nepalis and we don’t really need more reason to enjoy a cup of tea, or more. But it sure is fun to know it’s actually good for you.

Take Care of Your Skin

woman applying sunscreen

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Winters are bad for your skin. The cold weather can bring in a host of problems such as dry and itchy skin, eczema, and chilblains. Use a good moisturizer suited for your skin type. You can also take Vitamin E or Fish Oil supplements to help with the blood circulation to treat your chilblains and help keep your hands and feet warmer. And don’t skip sunscreen! Cold weather doesn’t mean you don’t get the harmful rays of the sun on you. It’s only the heat that’s missing.

Eat Well

oranges

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During the winter, you can get tempted to fill up on comfort foods that are high in sugar and fat. Those burgers and fries and chocolates just seem so appealing. But it’s also important to keep your health optimized. Instead, opt for our traditional comfort foods. Drink a lot of soup, include the seasonal vegetables and keep up the culture of eating oranges with the family out in the sun. They have a lot of Vitamin C that helps you battle colds and keep your skin healthy.

Good Night

sleeping person

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Not yet, but yes. Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial. And I’m sure this is the favorite tip among all. Afterall, what’s better than a warm bed on a chilly night while you’re dreaming away of some wonderland. But all you Night Owls, listen up! Proper sleep helps you fight germs and diseases better by boosting your immunity. To stay healthy this winter, make a regular sleep routine. Getting enough rest allows your body to heal itself. Haven’t you noticed that you always look and perform your best when you’ve had a good sleep?

Despite taking all of these necessary steps, you might find yourself down with the cold or flu. If that happens make sure you get to the doctor and follow the prescriptions and advice.

Finally, that’s 7 ways how you can stay healthy this winter. Fight the blues and make the most out of the season.

Happy Winter!