Just yesterday I wrote a blog post about the season of fall “Seasons Change and So Do I” and today I read that we are in for a cold, snowy, and icy winter. Last week’s news about Montana’s record snow fall in and around Glacier National Park was on my radar as I’d just been vacationing there just a week before the snow storm. Change is certain.
As a health coach, I think, talk, live, breathe, and write about health. There are lots of precautions we can take for our health during the cold season and many of them start now for the best protection. This news of cold weather coming got me thinking about the top three things I do to stay healthy when the weather turns colder. Maybe you do them too?
1.Wash your hands.
Just like any other time of year, hand washing with mild soap and water is the best prevention in the spread of germs. But during the winter we are indoors more often and we need to be even more diligent about the spread of germs.
Please say no anti-bacterial soap. Antibacterial soaps are no more effective than soap and water, can cause antibiotic resistant bacteria, endocrine disruption, allergies, and indeed can be harmful to us, and the planet. Even the FDA says so. If you can’t get to a sink with soap and running water, instead, use a non-antibacterial gel or hand wipes that do not contain triclosan. Personally, I don’t like the feeling of the gel and just use a paper napkin and my stainless steel water bottle when in a pinch.
Every time you come into the house from work, school, or shopping, drop your bags and wash your hands. Certainly every time you use the bathroom and before meals you’ll want to wash your hands. But also if you’ve shaken hands with someone, used a door handle, or touched public surfaces like an ATM screen.
To help keep skin moist during the winter, place a bottle of hand lotion next to the sink and use it after you dry your hands to prevent chapping or skin dryness.
Minimize touching of surfaces where germs reside. Avoid touching your face and nose with your hands. Use your elbow or hip to open or hold a door.
If you must sneeze, use your elbow, not your hand to stifle the germs. Even better, carry tissues in your car, purse, backpack, and briefcase.
2.Wear a scarf.
A scarf will provide extra warmth and protection for your throat. I even wear one around the house during the fall and winter. Of course dress warmly when exposed to the elements with a coat, warm boots, socks, gloves and a hat too.
3.Eat a nutritious diet.
Food is medicine, and eating a healthy diet can help boost our immune system. Start out now before the cold, flu, and stress of the holiday season by avoiding processed food and sugar. You might want to think twice about dairy intake as this can cause additional dampness and phlegm in the body. Enjoy the recent harvest of fruits and vegetables during this season such as apples, pears, winter squash, broccoli, kale, onions, potatoes, and pumpkins. Nuts such as walnuts and pecans are especially good for fall and winter.
Just these three simple tips will go a long way to keeping you healthy during colder weather. It works for me, and I hope it works for you too!
Stay safe, and stay healthy as we move into colder weather.