the winter is a difficult time of year for many people. It’s wet, cold and gets dark early, especially after the time change. Most of us spend the few hours of daylight in the office on weekdays and prefer to spend our free time indoors in the warmth. We move less, but maybe eat more because of the holidays (hardly anyone can resist fragrant cookies). The heated air dries out our mucous membranes and makes us more susceptible to infections. And all this is not only at the expense of health, but also makes many people’s spirits plummet. How do we get through the winter healthy and happy?
The cold season is a new one every year Challenge for our immune system, our health and sometimes also for our mood. In addition, we have to deal with the second pandemic winter, with all the problems that come with it. But if we take care of our bodies and each other, show consideration and stick together, we will get through this winter healthy and happy. We have put together a few tips for you here.
Why winter weighs on us
Winter always looks great on postcards: the snow is glistening and the sun is shining from the blue sky. Unfortunately, the reality usually looks different for us. Rain falls instead of snow, the ground is muddy or slippery, gray is the dominant color. With the time change an hour of daylight is lost in the evening, the low temperatures and icy wind don’t exactly make being outdoors any more attractive. As a result, as “cave dwellers” we like to curl up on our couch, near the heater. This may be comfortable, but it is sometimes devastating for our health.
Heating air dries out the mucous membranes, which can no longer form a good barrier against viruses and bacteria. Since we are mainly exposed to artificial light, the body forms less vitamin D, which is important for our immune system. the immune defense is therefore quite weakened in the cold season. On top of that we look a lot move less than in summer. Darkness and cold don’t tempt you to go cycling, walking or jogging. This slows down the metabolism and burns fewer calories, although we actually eat more than usual with cookies and Christmas roasts. The gray on gray and lack of sunlight affects the psyche of some people, many suffer from a so-called “winter blues“.
In addition, viruses such as the influenza virus (flu virus) have their high season in winter. A weak immune system and a less active natural mucosal barrier make it easy for viruses to spread.
Despite adverse environmental conditions, it is possible to get through the winter healthy. Anyone who knows about the typical problems in the dark time of year can take targeted action against them and thus help not only themselves but also others, for example by chains of infection broken will.
Corona makes winter twice as difficult
This year we all have to overcome another difficulty: the second winter of the Corona pandemic. Because this virus also finds better conditions for its reproduction in the cold season. Because we spend more time indoors, naturally more people meet than outdoors. Airing is reduced to keep the cold out and our body is for the reasons mentioned above much more susceptible to contracting COVID-19.
As a result, the number of infections is increasing significantly. This is accompanied by much stricter corona rules and the fear of a new lockdown with its contact restrictions, as was already the case in Austria, for example. This puts a strain on our economy and also on our psyche, for example when there is also the fear of losing a job.
But the pandemic has also shown that we stick together as a society be able. In these difficult times there was a wave of solidarity and helpfulness that cut through all walks of life and age groups. Numerous neighborhood networks were created, so that even single people who had to be in quarantine were provided with everything they needed. We have learned through the pandemic, again pay more attention to each other and to understand the community as an important part of our lives.
Also read: To good neighbors: Why society begins at the garden fence
This is how you get through the winter healthy and happy
There isn’t just one trick that will help us get through the winter in good health. Instead, there are many small pieces of the puzzle that help us, our health and thus society. Because if you are healthy, you cannot infect others and may support people who need help in the event of illness. And if you are healthy, go happier through the winter and also discovers the beautiful sides of the cold season.
Well prepared for the cold season
In order to get through the winter healthy, we should ideally not only start to strengthen our immune system during the winter months. If you do a lot of exercise outdoors in late summer and autumn, you train your body and your immune system, soak up sunlight and a good mood and fill up your vitamin D stores for the winter. In addition, the variety of fresh fruit and vegetables is never as great as in late summer. So there is more than enough opportunity to provide our body with all the vitamins through a healthy diet and to prepare for the coming cold and dark months.
Get out into the open to get through the winter healthy
Yes, most of the time the winter weather doesn’t exactly invite you staying outdoors one. Nevertheless, our health also benefits from exercise in the fresh air during the cold season. Good functional clothing helps to keep out the cold and wet while still enjoying a walk, for example. Such activities should be scheduled regularly, preferably with a view to the weather forecast, in order to be able to take full advantage of the beautiful days of winter. Incidentally, when the gray in the cities puts you in a bad mood, a trip to the mountains is a good way to soak up the sun above the blanket of fog. It doesn’t always have to be skiing, a winter hike, for example, has its own charm and is always an experience.
Healthy through the winter with the right diet
Because heating air dries out the mucous membranes, it is particularly important in winter to drink a lot, for example tea in different variants. In addition, our diet should contain lots of vitamin-rich fruit and (winter) vegetables, especially in the dark season, in order to optimally supply our body. In some cases, such as seasonal defects, it can also make sense to nutrient deficiencies filled with special preparations.
Doing good against winter depression
Bad weather puts you in a bad mood, we know that. The eternal gray in gray depresses the mood and can trigger a so-called winter depression. Our tip on the other hand: do good for others! Anyone who makes others happy not only lifts their spirits, but is also happier and more content themselves and can thus prevent a low mood. In the end it helps a small good deed this way everyone.
Proper hygiene protects
washing hands regularly, Observe hygiene regulations and, for example, disposing of used handkerchiefs straight away instead of leaving them lying around reduces the number of germs our immune system comes into contact with. The fewer germs, the less work and the more effective the immune system. Actually quite simple, isn’t it?
However, in order for all of us as a society to survive the second pandemic winter well, more than the usual measures are needed. The corona pandemic still has us firmly in its grip, so it is particularly important to make a contribution here so that the wave is broken. For one thing, by us indoors and in crowds wear mask and reduce the risk of infection. On the other hand by one vaccination against the corona virus, but also against other seasonal diseases such as the flu. Vaccination strengthens our immune system and thus helps us to get through the winter healthy.
We can only get through the winter healthy if we all do our part. That’s why we should not only strengthen your own defenses, but also implement hygiene regulations or preventive measures such as vaccination. Mutual consideration ensures a good mood. This together helps us and the people around us and ultimately helps us as a society to get through this winter well.
Find out more about the #world-improvers
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