4 Lifestyle Changes To Make Before Winter

Shorter days and colder temperatures, which many of us see in late autumn and winter are usually tough on our mood and immune system. You may have noticed yourself how the shortage of sunlight brings stress and fatigue. Below are a few lifestyle changes that may help with that.

#1 Try New Ways to Manage Stress

Of course, stress is unhealthy in and of itself (not just when it’s cold), but in winter, it’s particularly serious because stress weakens immunity. Cold temperatures weaken it, too. So, to reduce the load, we need to remove, at least, one of the threats.

The basics of stress management are well-known:

• exercise
• eat well
• sleep well
• use deep breathing techniques, and so on.

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#2 Prioritize Vitamin D and Nutrition

Because of the limited sunlight in winter, our bodies often struggle to produce enough vitamin D. The latter, in turn, is necessary for a strong immune function and mood regulation. Of course, you can take vitamin D supplements (it’s best to ask your healthcare provider if you need them though).

Alternatively, you can incorporate foods rich in vitamin D:

• oily fish (salmon, sardines, etc.)
• eggs
• liver.

Plus, since we already know that immunity is at risk during cold weather, it makes sense to eat nutrient-dense foods: leafy greens, garlic, and antioxidant-rich fruits. As a bonus, these foods will bring you energy.

#3 Incorporate Regular Exercise (Indoors or Outdoors)

Again, it’s best to exercise all year round, of course. But if you don’t have much physical activity during spring and summer months, it’s a must in late autumn and winter. You’ll just need to plan it well.

First, decide whether you are more enthusiastic about indoor or outdoor options. Some ideas for the former include

• yoga
• online classes
• dancing at home.

The beauty of these variants is that you don’t lose time commuting. But you don’t get your portion of fresh air either. Outdoor variants thus have their benefits, plus winter offers unique options such as ice skating or skiing. No matter what you choose, exercising will increase endorphins and lower stress.

#4 Plan Small Events or Activities

For some reason, winter feels long, longer than other seasons. To break the monotony, you can plan some enjoyable events that you’ll look forward to. For example, you could plan

• small gatherings (with board games and quizzes?)
• holiday-themed activities (luckily, winter is perfect for that)
• a weekend staycation.

The mere fact that there’s something nice to expect can elevate dopamine levels and make you feel happier.

3 Bad Habits for the Cold Seasons

While some habits are worth taking up in winter or late autumn, others are not good for colder seasons. More specifically, they aren’t good for your energy levels.

• Eating Sugar and Heavy Foods

Christmas holidays and colder days, in general, are often filled with rich and sugary foods. The effects of this food are contradictory. On the one hand, it’s super satisfying (the “comfort food” at its best). On the other hand, it causes energy crashes and mood dips. So yes, it’s okay to indulge in it during the Christmas dinner, but it’s best to avoid consuming it on a regular basis.

• Staying Indoors Entirely

Intuitively, that’s what you want to do when it’s cold. Yet, staying inside all the time isn’t good for mood or health. You need natural light to maintain vitamin D and serotonin levels that, in turn, help to support your immune function and mental health.

• Overusing Indoor Heating

Excessive indoor heat dries out skin and nasal passages. You thus become susceptible to colds and your skin becomes prone to irritation. If you cannot lower the heating, you can, at least, run a humidifier​.

As you see, pre-winter lifestyle changes are pretty simple to implement. Plus, you now know which habits are worth giving up to stay happy and energized during the colder seasons.