Staying Healthy During The Winter Months: Tips For Active Seniors

Being fit and healthy is something that many of us strive towards. Regardless of our age or where we are based, there are so many things to consider when wanting to live a healthy lifestyle. 

The winter months can prove challenging, even for the healthiest of individuals. The colder weather brings with it the ideal environment for viruses to linger and circulate, causing a plethora of colds and flu to emerge.

However, this winter is looking slightly different to those past due to the circulation of COVID, too. It is not going to be easy, but there are ways that you can keep yourself healthy during this time. 

Suppose you are in a position where you want to learn more about what you can do to stay healthy during the winter months. You have found yourself in the right place at the right time. We have compiled a helpful guide below detailing what can be done to keep yourself healthy in the coming weeks and months. More specifically, we have focused on active seniors and how they can maintain their lifestyles and keep themselves fit and healthy. Read on for more! 

Dress Appropriately For The Weather

It goes without saying, but when the weather plummets and the colder weather sets in, you will want to ensure you are protecting yourself from the elements as much as possible. At the same time, we have no doubt that those reading this and beyond would be curled up under a blanket while indoors as a means of keeping warm; actions should be taken when venturing out and about to keep yourself well insulated. 

Wearing appropriate clothing is the best thing you can do when in these situations. Opting for footwear that has adequate support and grip is always recommended; this will reduce the chances of you slipping on any snow or ice that is out there. At the same time, wearing thick clothing or numerous layers will also work wonders in keeping you warm and insulated. 

Taking precautions like these will greatly minimize the chances of you getting cold and becoming ill in the winter months. That being said, you might find yourself wondering what could be done to help yourself should you fall unwell during this time? This takes us to the following section. 

Eating Healthily And Taking Vitamins

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is something that is recommended to us often. While it might feel tedious hearing this as another suggestion within this piece, hear us out! A healthy and balanced diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to remain in tip-top condition and is more critical than ever during the winter months. As there is an increased risk of infection from various viruses, you will need to be providing your immune system with a little boost. 

However, it should be noted there might come a point where you are hit by an infection or virus of some sort. This is only natural, even if you are taking care of yourself. In some instances, you might be given a course of antibiotics to help treat your ailment, but what can you do alongside this to further contribute to your health? 

Probiotics are thought to be useful when used in tandem with a course of antibiotics, for they help reduce side effects like diarrhea. Minimizing the chances of side effects like these from happening will greatly reduce the risk of you becoming dehydrated in any way, while also caring for your gut’s bacteria – something you might not do all that often beyond circumstances like these. If you find yourself asking the question ‘can I take probiotics with antibiotics?’, check out the guide from the Ruscio Institute for more information. They have compiled a list of common questions concerning this topic and what you can do should you find yourself in this situation. 

Remaining Active and Continuing to Move

If you are anything like us, the last thing you want to do during the colder months is head out into the elements for a brisk walk. Staying under the blanket for an extra hour seems all the more appealing during, the darker and colder months, but this is something you should do your utmost to avoid. Remaining active during this time will do your overall health a world of good, both your physical health and your mental health.

This is not to say that you have to head into the great outdoors when wanting to be active; there is a range of activities that can be completed within the comfort of your own home or within a designated exercise facility in your area. 

Making an effort to look after your body and keep moving during the winter months will make the transition to the warmer months a bit easier. Not to mention, keeping your muscles moving during this time, rather than living a sedentary lifestyle, will also help to work your muscle, reducing the risk of you experiencing any muscle weakness or wasting away. 

You don’t have to exercise on your own either. Should you have a four-legged friend, consider taking them for regular walks around the block. Finding a group of like-minded individuals to exercise with is also recommended; this could be people in your local area, your family and friends, or simply people you have met while exercising. How you go about this is entirely up to you; there is no one-size-fits-all method to finding an exercise routine that works. When exercising, buddying up with other people also allows you to socialize with others, minimizing your feelings of isolation and loneliness. 

Overall, we recognize this piece has only detailed a handful of the ways that you can remain fit and healthy in the winter months. Understanding what you need to do will go a long way and is information you can pass on to other people during this time too. We feel confident that taking that extra effort to look after yourself during the colder months will pay off when spring and summer come around once more. Your future self will certainly be grateful!