You’ve worked hard all summer to get in shape and eat healthy. With the colder weather coming, it’s easy to let all that effort go to waste, huddling indoors and waiting for Spring. Don’t let the weather get in the way of your healthy living goals. Here are my top four tips for feeling vibrant when the weather gets cold. Especially now, they go a long way to feeling your best.
Get outside
It may seem counterintuitive when the cooler weather hits, but instead of hibernating indoors, take your workout outside. People who live in colder climates and who spend much of the winter indoors often don’t get enough fresh air. Working closely with many other people who are living busy lives and not getting enough rest or proper nutrition can compromise our immune system and lead to colds and the flu.
If you dress properly and move, like taking a walk through the park or a hike in the woods, you’ll warm up in no time and actually get energized. Fresh air cleans out the lungs and stimulates feelings of wellbeing. It’s also a great time to connect with friends, family, or your own thoughts. I often find a good walk very meditative and come up with some of my best ideas while in the great outdoors. Once you take the first few steps, you might just get hooked.
Eat More Colorful Veggies
I’ve always believed the Canada Food Guide favors grains, dairy, and meat too heavily. Several months ago, I came across the Australian Healthy Eating Pyramid. It promotes a far healthier balance of a larger variety of nutritious foods, in keeping with updated nutritional research. Western society now has a wide variety of alternatives to dairy and traditional grains that act as lean sources of protein, are calcium rich, and are low glycemic. This season, consider adding spaghetti squash, kale, sweet potatoes, and cranberries to your shopping list. A good rule of thumb is, eat the rainbow and supplement the essentials. When you nourish your body with the best foods, it will carry you through this busy time of year and to a vibrant future.
Practice Yoga
I dabbled with a few yoga classes 15 years ago, just to give it a try and knew that one day I’d make it part of my regular fitness routine. I’ve always searched for the adrenaline rush of running or high intensity workouts, so when I got my flow on, I didn’t think I was making any headway in my strength or cardiovascular training. Last year, I finally felt it was time to give it another try. I began a hot yoga practice at a local studio with knowledgeable and motivating instructors. After practicing 3-4 times a week with a wide cross-section of men and women and skill levels, I felt stronger, more flexible, calmer, and more focused than ever before. Now I do yoga regularly and love it.
Yoga has allowed me to explore the mind-body connection at a deeper level. It’s also helped prepare my adrenal system for this colder, busier time of year. If you want to stay healthy, this is a huge plus. One of my favorite parts of my yoga practice has been the time before and after where I lie in a relaxed, still state. It centers me and empowers me to check in with how I’m feeling and if I’m aligned with my priorities. If you want to take a break from the treadmill of life, this one practice can help you ensure you’re headed in the best direction for you.
Sleep
This one of the healthy activities you can do that is free and actually saves you money. Getting to bed early ensures that your body systems have the time the heal. How does it save you money? No more frequent trips to the pantry in search of comfort foods. Most of us can relate. The colder it gets, the earlier the sun sets, the longer we cozy up on the couch in front of the tv with a bowl or something to nosh on. Going to bed early even a few times a week curbs this habit and strengthens your body for the coming winter. If you have trouble sleeping at an earlier bedtime, try reading fiction for 15 minutes in bed. This works like a charm for most people and winds down your mind for a restful sleep. One rule of thumb I follow that really helps is to avoid discussing things of a stressful nature right before sleeping. There’s plenty of time during daylight for that.
Follow these basics to ensure you live your best this season.
Tell Me:
What’s your favourite part of the winter season? Do you like big, chunky sweaters and crackling fireplaces or bundling up to go for a snowy trail walk? What’s your favourite way to stay healthy when the colder weather makes an appearance? Please share in the comments. I hope you enjoy the coming season, wherever you may find yourself.
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Blessings,
Sheila
