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Health & Fitness During Minnesota’s Long Winters
Stay Healthy this Winter
Minnesota, and all of the Midwest, goes into a form of hibernation during most winters. We leave the house for necessities like work and grocery runs, but otherwise we hunker down at home. This isn’t necessarily always a bad thing, but it can cause us to move a lot less. There are ways you can still make healthy choices even if the wind is blowing.
First and foremost, no matter the time of the year, make sure to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water helps prevent achy muscles or joints, aids digestion, enhances physical performance, supports weight management, and helps your body flush out toxins. How much water to drink every day varies from person to person as we each have unique factors that affect us such as age, gender, and health concerns. The general guidelines are eight glasses a day but tune into your body and listen to your doctor.
Make sure you’re getting up and moving. Staying active, even just 30 minutes a day, can boost your immune system. If the weather is calm, throw on your coat and go for a brisk walk around town. If there’s light snow blowing and you don’t want to be outside, take a trip up to the Steve Cohrs Wellness Center. Here you will be able to complete your cardio on a treadmill or exercise bike and strength train using the weight machines or free weights. If there’s no travel advised due to bad weather, you can complete an at home workout even with no equipment.
Healthy eating is an amazing way to keep yourself healthy and make sure you’re getting proper nutrients. When we are in the middle of a blizzard, we often gravitate towards comfort foods that are higher in calories and lower in nutrients. You can still enjoy cozy meals without sacrificing your health. During winter months, our immune systems aren’t always as strong which is why eating foods such as fruits, greens, whole grains, and proteins can help boost your immune system. This isn’t to say you can’t indulge on occasion, but it’s important to remember balance is key.
Sleep is crucial for your overall well-being as lack of sleep can affect our immune system and our daily habits. The weather changes and less sun exposure can sometimes affect our sleep which makes it important to build a healthy sleep routine. Create a comfortable sleeping environment by keeping your room dark, quiet, and cool while having pillows and a mattress that suits your needs. Limit screen time about an hour prior to sleep. Also make sure to keep a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up around the same time every day. If you are still struggling to sleep, reach out to your primary care provider to see what options might be available for you. Providers
Lastly, one of the most important aspects is to wash your hands. We all know that winter brings on a lot more germs and illnesses including influenza. To stay on top of spreading germs, make sure to wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Life is all about balance. There are going to be days when you want to stay at home and watch movies most of the day, but other days, you’ll have energy to get up and move. Sometimes even the smallest of healthy changes can make a big difference.
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Briana Solheim