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It seems that we have a tendency to pick up more illnesses during the winter months, doesn’t it? Cold and flu season is upon us, and so we spend our months trying to prevent ourselves from getting sick. Plus, mental health is something that can be a struggle for a lot of people this time of year, especially during the festive period. With that being said, below, we are going to take a look at some of the different things you can do to look after your family’s health during this time of the year.
Prioritize mental health during this time of year
There is only one place to begin, and this is with the mental side of our wellbeing. The festive period especially can be a difficult time of year for many different reasons. A lot of people struggle with loneliness during this time of year. Some people don’t leave the house a lot due to the cold weather, especially older relatives, and so it can be easy to fall lonely and secluded. Because of this, we highly recommend simply giving a phone call to loved ones from time to time and checking that they are feeling okay and they are not alone.
Of course, there are also a lot of people that struggle with their mental health at this time of the year because of the festive period. While a lot of people love Christmas, there are then those that hate this time of year. For some, it is because they have lost a loved one, and so the happy times of year end up being the most difficult. For others, it is because they are struggling financially, and so Christmas can place a lot of strain on their shoulders. So, it is important to be mindful of this and make sure you do not put pressure on people to purchase gifts.
Whether you are struggling with your mental health or you are worried about a family member, there are a lot of different things that you can do about this. Connecting with others, being kind to yourself, and having fun is important. Aside from this, making sure you get enough sleep every night makes a big difference, as does staying hydrated and eating well. A lot of people find that having a routine is beneficial for their mental health, especially during the crazy festive period. Try to get in some exercise every week as well. You may also want to get in touch with an online pharmacy UK based, as they can recommend some great treatments to assist with the likes of getting to sleep or battling feelings of depression.
Eating a balanced diet is important during this time of year
Again, a balanced and healthy diet is always a critical thing for your health but it takes on heightened importance during the winter. There are a number of different things that you can do during the winter to make your diet more appropriate. For example, focusing on healthy carbs is important. This is because our serotonin levels drop due to the longer periods of darkness during the winter, which can result in what we call the winter blues – you know, those sad moments we have during the winter with no rhyme or reason! This can end up bringing out a number of food cravings. You can boost your serotonin levels by eating some healthy carbohydrates. This includes squash, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, whole grains, and nuts.
In addition to this, it is a good idea to think about adding zinc supplements to your diet. Vitamins D and C are also needed during this time of year to help you meet the challenges associated with staying healthy during cold periods. Zinc can help to ward off infections. As mentioned, you can take supplements for this, or you can also find it naturally in the likes of eggs, dairy, and fish. In terms of vitamin D, this is something that our body will absorb naturally from the rays of the sun, so as you can imagine, it is more challenging to get the vitamin D that you need during the winter period. Adding vitamin D supplements to your diet can help you to lower the chances of having unhealthy cravings and it can lower your risk of experiencing depression as well. Finally, vitamin C is something that you can get naturally from the likes of vegetables and fruits. It can boost your immune system, as well as preparing you to fight the flu or the cold.
Take proactive steps to avoid getting a flu or the cold
Last but not least, the winter is the flu and cold season, and so there are a lot of germs that are gloating about. This is why it makes sense to take proactive steps to prevent yourself from contracting the flu during this time of the year. If you have not already, it makes sense to have your flu jab and to encourage your family to go for theirs as well.
Aside from this, getting your required 6 to 8 hours of sleep every evening is important. This is because your immune system will be weaker if you do not sleep for long enough, and this can result in infections and viruses. Furthermore, following the diet tips we mentioned above will be helpful. You should also make sure you practice the correct handwashing techniques to prevent the spread of the virus. Use soap and water, and wash your hands for 60 seconds!
As you can see, there are a number of different things that you can do to look after your family’s health during this time of year. While it can be challenging, having a proactive approach is important. If you think about the health of yourself and your loved ones, you will be better placed to look out for signs and to put provisions in place to make sure you all remain healthy.
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