3 Easy Winter Health Tips

3 Easy Winter Health Tips hover background

Dec 01
2018

If you are looking for quick and easy ways to keep yourself and your family happy and healthy from now through the new year, follow these winter health tips.

Even in the winter when colds and flu are running rampant, travel is increased, and germs are spreading far and wide, there are some basic things you can do to prevent illness and maximize health this season.

During the busy holiday season, our stress levels tend to increase. Increased stress can also take a toll on our bodies, weakening our immune systems and therefore our abilities to fight off illness.

Staying happy and healthy through the holidays begins with some basic self-care and these easy winter health tips.

3 Easy Winter Health Tips

Following these winter health tips this season can help ward off illness causing germs, as well as give your immune system and body the much needed boost that it needs at this time of the year. Here is what you need to know.

Hand wash, hand wash, hand wash

Of course you already know the importance of washing your hands to fight off germs and sickness. However, do you know the proper way to do it?

Using warm soap and water, lather up your hands and fingers. Be sure to scrub all parts of your hands, including: nails, backs of hands and even in between your fingers. Do this for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse and dry.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Our bodies and organs need a proper amount of water for optimum functioning. Winter can leave our skin feeling more dry than normal and there is a reason for that. In winter, the humidity in the air drops, causing moisture that your skin holds to evaporate faster.

According to USGS, when a baby is born, 78% of its body is made up of water. In men that number is 60% and in women it is 55%.

Our organs contain higher percentages of water, as follows:

  • Brain and heart = 73% water
  • Lungs = 83% water
  • Skin = 64% water
  • Muscles and kidneys = 79% water
  • Bones = 31%

When you see these numbers, it is easy to see why it is so important to maintain proper levels of hydration in our body. Staying properly hydrated is an important component to your spine health as well. Water helps to keep our joints lubricated and helps in our body’s natural shock absorption system for our spines.

Avoid Refined Sugars and Alcohol

In the winter or around the holidays, while we may want comfort food, it is a smarter move to eat to boost our immunity.

During the holidays, we are more likely to be exposed to refined sugars and alcohol at celebrations and at holiday parties. When consumed, these overstress the adrenal glands and can weaken the immune system. Avoiding these things can help to give your immune system the much needed boost that it needs this time of year.

If you are looking for ways to take care of your health this season, or to get started on a new exercise program at the beginning of the year, you may benefit from the guidance and expertise that a member of the physical therapy team at Above & Beyond Physical Therapy can offer.

To start the new year off with a new path to health through exercise and healthy lifestyle choices, contact us today.

Locations

Queen Creek Location
21321 E. Ocotillo Rd., Suite 122
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Ph: 480.987.1870
F: 480.987.9289

Phoenix
3201 W. Peoria Ave., Suite D800
Phoenix, AZ 85029
Ph: 602.866.2231
F: 602.866.2261

X