5 Easy Winter Health Tips You Must Follow

Winter has arrived and depending on your health it would be a time for you to thrive or it can be a painful time for you.

 

Today, I am coming up with some of my favorite winter health tips to stay mentally, emotionally and physically healthy during this cold weather. These are the 5 simple and inexpensive tips for winter which anyone can follow easily to stay away from winter blues and sniffles.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

1. Protect your skin

 Everyone loves to take sunbath during winters, but make sure your skin is properly coated with a good sunscreen. Sunscreen protects you from very harmful ultraviolet rays from sun.

 

There are two types of ultraviolet rays come from sun, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

 

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays penetrate the upper layer of skin and causes skin reddening; sunburn, itching and over the time it can also cause the skin cancer. But you can at least block these UVB rays by window glass at your home and car.

 

On the other hand ultraviolet A (UVA) rays penetrate upper and deeper layer of your skin and damage your skin and cells badly which leads to skin cancer. UVA rays are also responsible for premature skin ageing and wrinkles. Expert says that UVA rays also causes skin blotchiness, spots, skin loosening and high photosensitivity over the time. Also, it is tough to avoid ultraviolet A (UVA) as it passes the window glasses and has the same strength.

 

So, it is critically important to wear sunscreen during winters. Find good moisturizer which contains SPF 20 or SPF 25 regardless where you want to spend your time.

 

2. Take a Flu Shot

In smaller towns in India, people are less freaked out about taking the flu than taking the flu shot. Sick at the signs of changing weather, people who dread by getting hit by fever, running nose and sore throat should take a flu shot.

 

Flu shot is a vaccine claims by the doctors which cost around Rs 500 and it has to be taken annually to reduce the chances of getting hit by flu by 50 to 60%. As per the doctor Lalit Mohan Parashar who is the senior consultant ENT at Nova specialty hospital, if you get infected by the flu even after taking flu shot the symptoms will not be severe and you will not required to take antibiotics.

 

I ask you to take flu shot not only to protect yourself but also to promote the concept of “herd immunity”, which means you will be protecting your family, your parents, your spouse, your child and even the teachers and friends of your child too.

 

3. Increase Vitamin D Levels Naturally

You might have heard about the wonders of vitamin D – it is good for skin health, immune health, heart health, mental health, etc. etc… Now in this winter season you must be thinking about taking extra doses of Vitamin D by pills or sunlight. But you don’t need to take vitamin D supplement as it can cause skin cancer.

 

You can increase vitamin D levels in your body naturally with few healthy lifestyle changes. For example, if you just lose 5 percent of your weight, vitamin D levels in your blood will shoot up. Vitamin D stays in fatty tissue, so if you lose fat, vitamin D level go up in your blood.

 

Also, focus to lower your cholesterol, eat fatty fishes like wild salmon, exercise and your vitamin D levels will go up naturally. If you thinking to eat wild salmon, always eat baked salmon not fried. If salmon is baked almost all of its vitamin D remains in it, but if it is fried in vegetable oil, almost half of the vitamin D content get lost.

 

4. Get Social

Winter would be a tough time for most of the people. All this isolation during winter months can take a toll on your mental health. Also, humans are social animal who cannot do any good in isolation. I suggest to join any yoga class or cooking class with your best friend, or do anything to get involved with your best buddies. These activities will not only help you to stay fit physically and mentally but also help to fill the social craving that all human beings have.

 

5. Get Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fishes are good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, but for vegetarian people nothing to worry, plants are also a very good sources of Omega-3. As per my prediction plants will be much beneficial sources for Omega-3 than fishes.

 

Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is one of the primary Omega-3 fatty acids. It can be found in many vegetables and vegetable oils but chia seeds, walnuts and flax seeds are especially very good sources for alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Many experts suggest that proper intake of Omega-3 fatty acids are good for skin protection, and cardiovascular disease prevention. Also, it have anti-inflammatory effects, hydrating impacts and impacts on mental health. Taking Omega-3 will also reduce the risk of depression which is very common during winter season.

 

Follow these simple winter health tips and enjoy this cool weather at its best!