The 5 Best Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter

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Winter can be beautiful and full of warm moments, but it can also impact our physical and mental health, well-being, and motivation.

Fortunately, there are some things we can do to feel better during the cold, dark, and gloomy winter days. Let’s go over five winter health tips.

1. Get As Much Sunlight As Possible

Vitamin D is a hormone the body produces in response to sunlight exposure.

Not getting enough sunlight (such as during the shorter, colder, and darker winter days) can increase the risk of a vitamin D deficiency, which may impact your mood.

Additionally, sunlight exposure supports the production of serotonin. This neurotransmitter is associated with feelings of well-being and happiness.

Finally, sunlight exposure serves a vital role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, potentially leading to deeper and more restful sleep at night.

2. Stay Physically Active

Regular physical activity is among the best ways to feel better and maintain good health. It helps you think better, floods your body with helpful endorphins that boost your mood, and provides the opportunity to socialize with others.

Plus, staying fit in the winter is a great way to have more energy and enjoy more food without gaining unwanted weight.

The best part? You can pick from various types of physical activity, depending on your preferences. For instance, go for a run at the park, lift some weights at the gym, attend a dance class, or get on the floor and do a few sets of push-ups.

3. Use CBD Products

Products like CBD oils and edibles can offer various cold-weather wellness benefits:

CBD products can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (which plays a regulatory role in mood, behavior, and stress levels) and contribute to a good mood.
Some people find that CBD products (e.g., tablets and tinctures) contribute to better sleep, which can help them feel better during the day and have more energy.
Cold weather can sometimes lead to mild or moderate joint discomfort. CBD can help alleviate that, allowing you to move more freely.

As for dosing, researchers have used 20 to 1,500 mg daily, which may not be useful if you’re interested in CBD products and wondering how much to take.

One option is to start with a smaller dose of 40-50 mg daily for a week or two and see how it feels. You can gradually increase the dose by 10-20 mg and keep a log of your mood, energy levels, and subjective well-being in a health journal.

4. Eat Immunity-Boosting Foods

We often see outbreaks of the common cold and flu during the winter because we spend a lot of time indoors, surrounded by people. This makes it easier for viruses to jump from person to person.

One way to strengthen your body and reduce the risk of the common cold is to enjoy immunity-boosting foods for the winter. While nutritional needs in cold weather may not differ that much, you should be mindful of what foods you eat. Good options include:

Oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits
Red bell peppers
Garlic
Spinach
Sunflower seeds
Kiwi
Yogurt
Berries

5. Prioritize Sleep

Similar to the previous winter wellness tips, getting adequate sleep (at least seven hours) can have a profound positive impact on your well-being and energy levels.

Good sleep is also linked to strong immunity, which means it may reduce the risk of catching the common cold.

Some ways to improve your sleep include:

Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed
Cut out caffeine in the second half of the day
Put together a relaxing evening routine consisting of stretching, meditation, reading, and taking a bath or shower