It's the season for good cheer, family and friends, and cold-weather activities—but health
pitfalls lurk among these myriad joys: Increased stress, heavy foods, and nasty weather that turns getting to the gym into a hassle.
Keep your wellness going strong with these expert tips on overcoming winter-weather woes.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is vital for body system maintenance and repairing your body's damaged tissues, all year long but especially in winter.
Getting plenty of sleep can help reduce lethargy and sluggishness. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Keep moving
Cold weather can zap workout motivation.
Stay active during colder months to prevent the stagnation of prana—an Ayurvedic term referring to your body's vital energy.
Physical movement boosts blood circulation and increases body heat, which keeps prana flowing throughout your body.
Grab some exercise DVDs featuring Pilates or kickboxing routines for when the weather is especially crummy.
Bundle up
Layer your clothing for exercising outdoors. Opt for breathable, waterproof fabrics that can keep you dry and warm.
Wear a light hat and use gloves, because you lose a great deal of heat quickly through your head and hands.
Warm your insides
Eat warming foods like roasted root vegetables, soup, and spices like cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper
Eat your veggies
Skip the sugar. Carbs can promote belly fat. Avoid simple carbs like sweet baked goods, white bread, and white rice. Instead, choose complex carbs that can fuel your body for hours, including green and yellow veggies like steamed broccoli, spinach, and bell peppers.
Wash your hands
Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy any time of year.
Experts recommend washing your hands with soap and hot water frequently, for 10-15 seconds at a time, to reduce the spread of germs.