Healthy habits help maintain your health, in cold & flu season and beyond!
When you’re at your healthiest, you’re better able to fight off illness – or recover faster – and maintain a positive outlook. Here are 8 ways to feel your best this winter.
Get smart about comfort foods. Healthy options allow you to indulge in comfort foods guilt-free. Cook your favourite pasta dishes using half regular pasta and half whole wheat. Trim the fat from pork before making baked beans (or go vegetarian). Swap cream soups for chowders that get their richness from pureed veggies.
Drink up! Stay hydrated. Keep a water carafe on your desk and sip throughout the day. For variety, try herbal teas, milk and juice (or a 50-50 juice/water blend to reduce sugar and calories). Count caffeinated and sugary beverages as “treats,” not part of your daily hydration.
Work out. We know, less fun in the winter, right? Now may be the time to try a new indoor sport (Rock climbing? Circus arts? Martial arts?) so you’re extra motivated to get sweaty.
Reflect. Battle the winter blahs with a positive attitude. Journal keeping, meditation and even just consciously being grateful for the good things in your life can all enhance your emotional health.
Bundle up and head outside. The cold doesn’t cause colds (huddling inside with viruses do!). Dress in warm layers and go for a nice brisk walk, ski, or snowshoe session outdoors.
Get your fruits and veggies. Aim to include 7 to 10 fruit and vegetable servings in your daily diet. Frozen and canned fruits and veggies (make sure they’re low- or zero-added sodium and sugar) are an economical winter choice, with less prep-time besides.
Wash your hands. A lot! In addition to the flu shot, proper hand washing offers the best protection against flu (and colds, too). Teach your kids to wash for the entire duration of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”: that’s how long a thorough washing takes. (Carry hand sanitizer for germ busting when you’re not near a sink.)
Get your flu vaccination. Enough said.
