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Hi: 9° Lo:2° 7 day
Hi: 9° Lo:2° 7 day
During the winter months, there are more strains of nasty viruses going around than there are Christmas jingles in the supermarkets. With this in mind, it's important that you keep your body in tip-top condition to fight those horrid germs. Your body will naturally adapt to the seasons and you will feel ready to hibernate by October! So here are some easy ways to keep yourself healthy and energised as the days get darker.
What you put into your body is just as important as getting the right amount of sleep. Comforting but unhealthy meals are tempting – you should make sure that you keep these out of the house. Instead, fill your cupboards with seasonal fruit and veg. Winter is the perfect time for wholesome dishes like stews, casseroles, and soups.
If finding the energy to cook from scratch is too much, then use a crock pot – all you have to do is chuck in the ingredients, first thing in the morning, and then let it do its magic whilst you're at work. When you get home, you could have a lovely and tender meal waiting for you with minimum effort. There's never been a better time to invest in a crock pot cook book.
The average person gets six-and-a-half hours sleep a night. During the winter months, you will naturally need to sleep for longer, and if you aren't even getting the recommended 7 – 9 hours of kip every night, then it's time for some pay back. Getting enough sleep is crucial for a healthy body, energy, and high immunity. Treat yourself to the night's rest you deserve.
If you are struggling to sleep, this could be for a variety of reasons: from watching too much TV to putting up with an uncomfortable double mattress, make sure that your sleeping conditions are ideal this winter.
You should aim to drink at least 1.5 litres of fluid every day; but if you are active (more on this soon), you will need to take on more liquid. During the winter, your skin can get exceptionally dry, and fluids help keep you hydrated.
The last thing you want to do on a cold winter's day is leave behind your warm, fluffy dressing gown and go do something active. The best way to avoid this lethargy is to do activities with your friends and family. By combining social events with healthy exercise, you are more likely to stick to your routine. Whether this is ice skating at the weekend, or going for an evening jog with pals, exercise is important to keep your immune system at high levels.
This is the golden rule, but according to studies, more than a third of Brits skip breakfast. For the weight conscious, a low-calorie bowl of porridge is all you need to kick-start your day, and your metabolism will be working at a higher level, due to regular meals. Oats are fantastically healthy and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Add fruit for that extra boost.
