The much-awaited winter season is finally here. The pleasant and sometimes chilly winds are making their presence felt. Are you enjoying the wintery evenings? Winter brings along seasonal changes and temperature changes leading to many diseases. Viral fever, common cold, flu, and cough are the common diseases of this season. Winter also brings dullness and may cause feelings of depression. Winter may also weaken your immune system making you more susceptible to diseases.
Cover yourself well this winter, especially if you are travelling to places of colder climate. Use a scarf, cap, or a sweater if needed. It is important to keep infants and the elderly warm in this season. Certain dietary measures help ensure that the body stays warm from inside in winters.
Winter health tips
Here are some health tips to stay healthy during this winter:
1. Cook with Spices
Onions, garlic, turmeric, and ginger are the perfect items to add flavour to your dishes. Not only do they make food taste great, but they’re also shown to help improve immune function. Turmeric helps to combat many conditions including inflammation and heart disease, and it acts as a powerful antioxidant.
2. Add Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are a healthy type of fat that is naturally found in many food types including fish, plant seeds and nuts. Omega 3 fatty acids are great for reducing joint pain and stiffness as they are a natural anti-inflammatory. Studies have also shown that omega 3 fatty acids help lower levels of depression, which people commonly feel during the shorter days of winter.
3. Cook in desi ghee
Ghee is a winter essential that can be used to keep warm naturally. Ghee is rich in unsaturated fat, which is responsible for keeping the body warm and also supplying it with energy, dispelling the sluggishness that is brought on by winters.
4. Snack On Dried Fruits:
Figs, or anjeer, is a great example of dried fruits that can help you stay warm during winters. Another excellent dried fruit to consume during winters is date. Figs and dates are rich in calcium and iron and are both help keep your body warm.
5. Get sunlight
Get outdoor and soak in the warm sun, your body requires vitamin D – which is essential for maintaining health and immunity, vitamin D is also required to regulate mood.
6. Green tea
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties. Drinking approximately three to five cups of green tea a day keeps your immune system in check.
7. Honey
It is known to be the safest and easiest way to cure cold and fever during winter. Honey is known for its antibacterial properties that help fight bacteria and virus. You can have honey every night before going to bed, or mix it in a cup of warm milk.
8. Leafy greens
Methi, Palak, Sarson are all available in abundance and are a good source of beta-carotene and Vitamin C – both powerful antioxidants that help fight disease and build immunity. Others in this category are coriander, amaranth, celery, radish greens, etc.
9. Wash your hands
Washing your hands after coming from outside helps prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the spread of viral infections like cold and cough.
10. Stay active
Maintain a healthy lifestyle by continuing your fitness regime in winters too. Running, jogging, going to a gym, playing a sport, choose an activity you enjoy the most.
Enjoy the winters by eating seasonal and taking the above health precautions. This helps boost your immune system. Have a healthy winter!
