While it may spark a bit of fear, it's winter in Houston. Although we have never experienced the bitter cold of our Northern friends, the change of seasons can have a huge impact on our bodies. Depression, weight, poor skin, and disease are all associated with winter, but with a little preparation and attention, they can all be easily prevented. Here are 6 tips for a happier, healthier holiday season:
It's not cold, it's lack of moisture
Houston's humid weather can be very dry in the winter and cause a lot of imbalance in the skin. Keeping your skin moisturized is a new mess for most, but it's pretty easy to do. Good skin always starts from the inside. Drinking lots of good, clean water is a healthy skin foundation. The rule of thumb is at least half the weight of an ounce per day. For example, a 150-pound person would drink 75 ounces of water daily, or about 9 8-ounce cups. Remember to also add 32 more ounces or one more dose for every hour of daily exercise.
Instead of using lotions or moisturizers, natural and healthy alternatives include regular glycerin or coconut oil. Glycerin is good for absorbing moisture directly from the air and good organic coconut oil to repair skin, prevent sun damage, remove dead skin to give it a youthful glow, and maintain moisture. Organic coconut oil is also a great hair rejuvenation treatment and has been used in places like India for hundreds of years.
Avoid the cold from giving you cold
Winter brings winter and the cold along with it. The body is more prone to winter infections due to weather changes. Prevents easy illness with little preparation. First, keep your hands clean all the time. Hands are more likely to pick up and spread germs than any other part of the body. Hand wash is available and easy to carry in a wallet. Most of them work their magic with old rubbing alcohol. Remember that the sanitizer does not replace the old wash with soap. Stick with non-bacterial soaps. Antibiotics in anti-bacterial soaps only kill weak bacteria and leave antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment when cleaned in the gutter.
Winter disease can also be prevented with some simple supplements and herbs. Vitamin C and Vitamin D Supplements during the winter are important for preventing colds and flu. Echinacea is an herb that is also very effective in supporting the immune system. It can be taken as a pill or mixed with herbal tea. In case of cold or flu bugs to bite, one of the best natural antimicrobial herbs is concentrated oregano oil. This can be taken with either drops or gel caps. The drops are not expensive to use but the oil is very bitter and spicy. Oregano oil is also great for skin infections like acne too and can be used directly on blemishes.
Don't be SAD
The colder months also bring shorter times and longer nights. Add to this the fact that most people work indoors during the day, and it's a sun-free formula. Just like Superman, we depend on the sun to be healthy. A healthy amount of sunlight can prevent winter blues, which is technically known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is very common and easily preventable. Along with healthy sun exposure, Vitamin D is very important, especially in the days of being stuck in the office and leaving after it darkens. The best form of Vitamin D is a converted form known as D3.
Cut it
Holidays bring family and friends. They also carry many delicious foods and non-edible drinks such as sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and egg yolk. Let's face it, we will prepare ourselves with all these delicious dishes and not think twice about it, but these crazy calories can lead to extra weight, bad feelings, and lower immune defenses. The easiest way to keep calories under check is to cut calories that don't add anything to your holiday cheer, and for most people, that means soda.
Soda is an empty calorie, which means that the liquid in the can has no nutrients such as vitamins or minerals to go along with all the unnecessary energy that can easily be converted to stored fat. Soda diets are not a good alternative because they still have phosphorus, which removes calcium and causes osteoporosis. So let's make a holiday resolution together and get rid of soda for the rest of the year. Our bodies and all the delicious food at home waiting to thank us.
Get up and shine
New year resolution, right? This usually means less exercise to go along with all the supplements. Staying on the fitness track is difficult during the holidays as busy offices try to get everything done before the end of the year, kids at home for walks, family and friends in town, and traveling. Time is precious around the holidays so efficiency is key. Working for a short period of time in the morning gets the best results. The best formula is 30 seconds of high intensity activity followed by 90 seconds of rest and repeats approximately 8-10 times. It naturally increases human growth hormone (HGH) and leads to higher metabolism and fat loss.
Heating before training becomes more important when the weather is cold. Before exercising, gentle movement to warm the body and rotation of joints to build fluid absorption and shock to the joints is paramount. After training is the best time for the long term, slowly stretching without bouncing to increase flexibility. Flexible and flexible joints and muscles help prevent injury.
Slept well
Holidays also carry an irregular sleeping schedule. Proper sleep is important for proper hormone balance in women as well as mental acuity during the day. Long-term memories don't work well without enough sleep. Everyone is different but most people need about 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Keeping a regular schedule as much as possible and sleeping at the same time every night helps.
If it's too busy, melatonin or 5-HTP supplements can help. Chamomile tea before bedtime is also very relaxing. Avoid television, hard work, and heavy food near bedtime and replace it with relaxing music, low energy activities, and reading books.
Final Thoughts
Many make the New Year's resolutions very difficult because of the lack of routine during the holidays. Following are six tips that will help keep your life balanced and on track. A general check-up during the winter with a medical doctor will also help. It is also helpful to see a chiropractor, naturopath, nutritionist, or acupuncturist at any time of the change to get specific nutrition and lifestyle advice along with some re-balancing body as needed. Some of these providers can test for vitamin and mineral deficiency using a test called Spectracell to find out what their body is missing. Here's a happy and healthy winter and winter!
Get Rid of the Winter Blues: 6 Tips For Winter Survival
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