Bonitas Member Magazine B-Living - Issue 2 | Page 21

Stay fighting fit
Boost your immune system, keep healthy and fi ght off seasonal illnesses with these ultimate tips
for a healthier winter.
Moisturise all the time
Cold, dry air quickly sucks moisture from our skin.
Combine that with a blasting of hot air from a central
heating unit and some nice, scratchy winter fabric and
your skin can end up being a dry, itchy, scaly mess. Keep
moisture locked into your skin with a heavy, oil-based
moisturiser. Slather it on after every bath or shower or
whenever your skin feels dry. Drink plenty of water and
eat foods like berries, which are high in antioxidants,
lots of omega-3 (found in salmon, walnuts or
omega-3 supplements) and consider using a humidifi er
to help add moisture to the air.
Don’t get SAD
Seasonal Aff ective Disorder (SAD) is very real. It can aff ect
a lot more than just your mood. Fatigue, irritability,
depression, anxiety and even physical discomfort can
result from the changing of the seasons. The best way
to beat the winter blues is to get outside daily, but also
boost your diet by incorporating foods that are high
in nutrients i.e. cabbage and fresh herbs, as often as
possible. Foods that are high in calcium and magnesium
are said to improve stress levels, lift you out of
SAD-related moods, and overall keep you more healthy
and happy.
Be mindful of your heart
Extreme cold, coupled with unaccustomed exertion, is
bad for your heart. Studies have shown that heart attack
rates increase as temperatures decrease, and normally
inactive people who subject themselves to intense
bursts of activity during the cold days are more at risk.
Seek medical help immediately if you feel discomfort,
chest tightening, or pain in the chest, upper arm or neck
area. Most heart attacks start with mild symptoms and
then get worse.
B-Living Issue 2, 2017
Keep your asthma in check
Winter can be a challenging time for people with
asthma. Cold and flu viruses can trigger asthma attacks;
dry air and smoke from the fi replace can irritate airways
exacerbating asthma symptoms. Try to avoid known
triggers if you can. Cover your mouth with a scarf when
going outside. Keep taking your asthma medications,
even if you are feeling well. See your doctor during
the winter months if you feel your asthma is not under
control.
Keep exercising
The cold winter weather does not mean you should stop
doing your exercise routine. Put on warm clothes for
a brisk walk or try fun winter outdoor activities. When
it’s cold, your body burns more kilojoules in an eff ort to
keep warm. If venturing outside when it’s windy, wet
or snowing really doesn’t appeal to you, don’t let the
weather set you back, try a workout in the comfort of
your home.
Stave off the stress
Most of us know from experience that stress weakens our
immune system. Colds always seem to strike when we’re
overworked or emotionally exhausted, as do eczema
flare-ups, headaches and a myriad of other health
problems. Keep stress at bay by taking some time out
to meditate, spending time with loved ones, listening to
relaxing music or even going for a massage.
Eat more fruit and veggies
Fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins
and nutrients, which can help boost your immune
system. Add more citrus fruit (such as oranges and
lemons), green vegetables, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, kiwi
and strawberries to your diet.
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