Winter Wellness Tips

Booooo! We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! It's hard to believe November is here already, especially since we've been lucky enough to have had sunny days for much of October. As we get ready to hunker down into the darker chill that November brings, we like to remember some of our winter survival tips for all of us here on the West coast who can get a little overwhelmed by the constant grey of the coming months.

Winter can be hard on us, mentally and physically. The days are shorter, colder, and darker and that can take a toll on our health if we're not careful. It can be easier to get colds and flus in the winter and harder to fight them off. So here are a few winter wellness tips to remember as we move into the dark part of the year.

1. Wash your hands. This is a basic wellness tip at any time of the year but it's especially important in winter, when germs are basically partying non-stop. Take the time to lather up completely and rinse well. It really does make a difference.

2. Clean up winter mould. In a damp place like BC, a lot of the places we live, work and play in have mould. Mould can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions. Clean the mouldy surface with water and an abrasive soap, and then check to see if you can fix the source of the mould. Is there a leak, water damage, excessive humidity? If there's extensive mould growth, consider getting professional help.

3. Stay hydrated. The colder air and indoor heaters can dry out your skin. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water each day and use moisturizers throughout winter. Staying hydrated will also help make mucous membranes, including those in your sinuses, more resistant to bacteria.

4. Exercise. It can be hard to get motivated when it’s cold and dark, but -- good news -- your body has to work overtime to get warm during outdoor exercise, so you can burn more calories on that early morning walk or run. Another good reason to keep moving in the winter is that you're more susceptible to tendonitis and stress fracture if you don;t exercise all winter and then expect to pick up where you left off in the spring.

5. Get enough sleep. This is a basic health tip, no matter what the season. The darker days of winter can mean that you need even more sleep than usual, so make sure you're hitting the hay with plenty of time to spare. Getting enough rest can go a long way to making sure you're not run down, and therefore more susceptible to colds and flus.

6. Up your vitamin and mineral intake. Make sure you're getting enough iron, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin B. If you can, look for ways to boost your dietary consumption of these vitamins and minerals before popping a supplement. Are you getting lots of dark, leafy vegetables in your diet? What about red and yellow vegetables?

7. Eat well. Well, what other advice can we offer? We believe in the power of eating well, so keep your health up by getting three healthy meals a day and definitely eating breakfast. For your body to be able to respond to infection, it needs to have enough protein. Eat a balanced diet and allow yourself the comfort of a little extra fat if your body's craving it.

What are your winter tricks for staying healthy? We'd love to know!