As December rolls out and the winter is officially upon us, the holiday seasons can come with promising riches of presents, drinks, food, and staying inside are all great ways to enjoy the cold weather while it lasts. During this time, it can also be quite easy to stay indoors all winter and pack in those calories, making weight loss goals and other aspirations difficult to achieve before the new year. If you find yourself lacking in those goals, then we’re here to help you stay fit and warm during the winter season by giving you some great tips to follow to keep yourself healthy.
The Health Risks That Come With Winter
Winter comes with cold air, copious amounts of warm beverages, and excessively fatty foods that keep our bodies warm and comfy when snow, sleet, and chilly nights are ahead. Although winter is a wonderful time, winter is also filled with a lot of health risks that come with it. For those sensitive to health-related issues, winter can be disastrous due to these various factors:
- Asthma Attacks: One of the biggest triggers for those with asthma is freezing cold temperatures. Colder temperatures typically trigger these attacks, especially if the air is dry, as it irritates the lining in the airways and causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The more severe your asthma is, the more likely you are to suffer from an asthma attack during winter.
- Colds and Viruses: Besides the well-known Covid-19 virus, dry winter weather allows flu viruses to survive and transmit more easily, and close proximity to others during this time can easily spread these viruses and thus make your immune system more vulnerable.
- Excessive Weight Gain: As previously stated, weight gain problems are a huge problem as regular exercise becomes more difficult to maintain, especially as the holidays contain rich foods and larger meal portions.
- Seasonal Depression: Seasonal depression affects hundreds of people across the world due to the changes in seasonal patterns and hormone changes that affect your mood and energy.
- Heart Attacks: Heart attacks are also more common during winter due to strenuous activities that require more blood to be pumped through the heart. For those with heart disease, winter weather doesn’t bode well.
Tips To Keep Yourself Healthy This Winter
With the onset of winter comes many risks, but luckily you can combat those risks by staying healthy and active. Exercising at least 30 minutes per day can help keep your body weight managed and keep you cardioactive. Going outside during winter can help beat seasonal depression, decreasing your portion sizes, and paying attention to your body’s reactions to the cold can help you keep asthma and heart attacks away. If you would like more information about how to beat the winter blues and keep yourself safe from these winter hazards, then contacting your local primary doctor for an appointment can help you continue your good health and keep you warm and safe this winter.
