Winter Health Essentials: keep your health in check
With winter rolling in, it’s more important than ever to keep our health in check.
Staying healthy is one of the top priorities during winter and this year, with a global pandemic surrounding us, you may be more cautious than usual. You may have questions; such as should I be taking special vitamins or do I need to see my doctor? There are many ways how you can stay healthy this winter and we’re bringing you the most important health essentials you’ll need!
Hydration
It’s crucial not to forget about your water intake during the winter months. As you might sweat less, it’s easy to set your glass aside and continue with your day. During the winter, your body needs more water to keep your skin hydrated as it can easily get dry due to cold air and climate.
You can become dehydrated in the cold from sweating, breathing, the drying power of the winter wind, and increased urine production, but it may be harder to notice during cold weather.
Don’t rely on thirst to tell you when you need to drink water. Set a daily goal to drink at least 8 8-ounce glasses of water or get a Spring smart bottle and leave it to calculate the optimal amount of water you should drink during the day. It will also remind you to drink water every hour so you can let your mind focus on more important things!
Immunity
During the winter, our body is more prone to infections due to lack of sunlight, a different diet, and less activity. This is when you should focus on choosing immunity-boosting foods and supplements. Some of the essential winter immunity supplements for women include vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc.
They’ve also been proven to help your body fight off viruses and infections in case you come into contact. Choose vitamins that have time-release tablets as they’re easier on the stomach and provide your body with nutrients throughout the day!
Face & body care
We all know our skin suffers a lot during the winter. You can experience chapped skin, red, dry patches, and flaking due to low temperatures that dehydrate the skin. While switching to a richer moisturizer is easily a top choice for everyone, caring for your skin from outside should be equally as important. Making sure not to overheat your home is a must as heating can dry it out. We also recommend placing a humidifier in the room where you spend the most time, which, in many cases, is the bedroom.
Along with moisturizing from the outside, don’t forget to exfoliate. Removing dead skin cells makes products penetrate into deeper layers of your skin, making them more effective in what they do. If all else fails, ensure you’re drinking enough water as it’s one of the most important things you can do to have the healthiest skin.
If you wanna read more about the impact water has on your health, check out our “How Reaching Your Hydration Goal Impacts Your Health & Beauty” blog.
Exercise
Getting enough exercise is the key to healthy living. That doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym every day (and during Coronavirus you’re likely not to be able to go) but that you should be mindful of your daily activity levels. Whether you choose to do some restorative yoga (your back will thank you!) or some sweaty cardio workout, getting at least 180 minutes of medium intensity activity a week benefits your cardiovascular health.
Physical activity gives your immune system a power surge for a full 24 hours. A stronger immune system leads to less illness and less use of antibiotics.
If you’re still not sure how active are you, the Bellabeat Leaf trackers are here to help! With daily activity and sleep tracking, you can learn more about your habits and how to start implementing new ones! In case you need more motivation, we cover all these topics in our blog.
With our Bellabeat Wellness Coach subscription, we plan your workouts for you! With daily meal and workout plans and additional health, beauty and mindfulness content, it’s a perfect addition to start the New Year in style!
Mental Wellness
Healthy mind, healthy body.
Caring about our mental wellness is as important as caring about our physical health. During the winter, it can get harder to be in a good mood as there are fewer sun hours in a day. This year, it’s exacerbated by the ongoing health crisis that takes its toll on everyone’s mental health.
Now more than ever, it’s important to take some time for ourselves and focus on positivity and gratitude. Whether you choose to keep a gratitude journal, give yourself an extra pampering session, or meditate daily, we’re here to help you!
If you find it hard to focus and meditate by yourself, in our Bellabeat app you can find more than 30 guided meditations aimed at helping you de-stress, find your inner peace and be present in the moment.
Thank you for reading!
This blog was reposted with permission and minor edits from the Bellabeat website. Written by Ana from Bellabeat