Protecting your health in the wintertime isn't as hard as it sounds, here are some tips for preventing typical problems during the coldest time of the year.
Immune System
Prevention is really the key to not getting sick. Older folks, children and those with depressed immune systems may want to consider getting a flu shot, which can protect you from getting the flu. You can also improve your immune system by eating right and taking the proper vitamins and minerals for your age and body type. Even a multivitamin is better than nothing, but consider supplementing with Vitamin C and Zinc, both proven to boost the immune system.
Skin
Your skin can often take a beating during the winter months. Inside your home or workplace, you'll be subjected to dry heat from electric, gas, oil or wood fire heating elements. Also, you may take longer and certainly hotter baths or showers. Outside your home you'll be subjected to dry, windy, wet or cold weather. Moving inside and outside from dry heat to dry cold can wreak havoc on your skin, making it dry, itchy, red, flaky and irritated. The skin on your face is especially susceptible to this problem. Use moisturizers and moisturizing lotions daily to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. You can also use a humidifier to add some much needed moisture back to the air in your home or workplace. Don't forget to protect your skin from the glare of the sun or ravages of the wind by covering up all parts of your body by wearing gloves, a scarf, ear muffs and a hat when you go out. Remember to cleanse your face everyday with a gentle soap and lukewarm water. You may also wish to add a bath oil product to your baths to moisturize the skin on your entire body. The skin on your hands will also be very susceptible to drying and irritation, remedy this by applying a hand cream after each time you wash your hands.
Lips
Your lips are one of the hardest hit areas of your body during cold weather, especially during very dry and cold weather. Your lips may be chapped, dry and peel much more easily. Keep a moisturizing, protecting lip balm with you and apply it daily or as needed to keep your lips moist and supple and to avoid painful cracking.
Eyes
While in some areas of the country, the sun may not shine nearly as much as during the rest of the year, it's still important to take care of your eyes during cold weather. Use sunglasses when needed, as the sun during the wintertime can shine UV rays that are even stronger than during the summer. Also, use eye drops as needed to prevent and relieve dry eyes due to the dry heat that may be present indoors. When snow is on the ground and/or the sun is shining, this is the most important time to protect your eyes from the sun's wintertime UV rays with a good pair of sunglasses or goggles.
Fitness
When exercising, shoveling snow or working outside in cold weather, take extra care to avoid overexertion. Overexertion during cold weather can put an extra strain on your heart. When you need to exercise, consider instead working out in your home or at a gym. It's very important to keep up your fitness routine throughout the year, including winter.
