How to Stay Healthy Through Changing Seasons
The leaves are falling and the days are shortening. Even though it’s been milder than usual for this time of year, we know winter is coming. As much care as we take to stay healthy during summer and winter, it is equally as important during the transition months. Autumn ushers in months of cosy sweaters, long walks, and warm drinks (including the inevitable barrage of pumpkin spiced ones) but also brings with it increased illness, allergies and lethargy.
We’ve put together a handy list of tips and tricks to help you stay healthy during the changing seasons and boost your immunity for the coming winter months.
STAY HYDRATED
This year’s summer heat wave saw a marked increase in reminders to hydrate, with everyone from the NHS to Whatsapp groups circulating the importance of drinking plenty of water. As the temperature cools, it is easy to let water consumption drop but staying hydrated is just as important in the colder months. Drinking water will keep your throat and nasal passages clear and moist, helping to reduce coughs and colds. Aim to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day and you can try adding ingredients, such as lemon, mint or cucumber, to add some flavour.
LIQUIDS, LIQUIDS, LIQUIDS
Water isn’t the only liquid that will help you stay ahead of the weather change. Take advantage of the colder weather and get creative with warm beverages - creamy vegetable soups, fragrant herbal teas and rich coffee drinks are your best friends.
Drink lots of fresh juices, particularly citrus fruits, to give your body a hit of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that plays a key role in boosting the body’s immunity and fighting off viral infections. Whether you get your Vitamin C from lemons, oranges or even supplements, make sure to incorporate it into your daily life. For more information on antioxidants check out our blog post here..
A BALANCED DIET
It is tempting to increase consumption of carbohydrates and sugar as the weather gets colder. Carbs and sugar both play an important role - they provide energy for our bodies and comfort for our souls, but they can also weigh you down if you overindulge. Rather than eating extra carbs and sugar, try to up your intake of fruits, vegetables, or protein-rich foods to give you energy.
Fruits and vegetables are also a good source of antioxidants and help reduce seasonal allergies. The fresher the better, so it may help to research seasonal fruit and vegetables in your area.
EXPOSURE
People are most at risk of falling ill during the transition months because exposure to changing temperatures causes body temperature to adjust to protect the immune system. This is also when we are most tempted to break out the heavy jackets and coats. To help your body adjust slowly but surely, dress in layers and remove or add as needed. It’s a simple tip but surprisingly effective.
However, it’s not just exposure to outside air. The colder the air, the drier it gets and this only increases once the heating is turned on. A humidifier or air purifier can dramatically improve air quality and help prevent coughs, colds and seasonal allergies. Alternatively, you could also place more plants around the house or boil water in a kettle and leave the lid off to add more moisture to the air.
Many of these tips are simple but effective and will help you make small steps to improve your quality of life for the winter months. To get the most out of them, you should incorporate them into your daily life to create a healthy and balanced routine. Paired with a steady sleep schedule and regular exercise, these small additions will help you reduce the illnesses, allergies and lethargy that characterise the colder months and allow you to enjoy the changing seasons to their fullest.