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Winter and wellness are two words that typically don’t go together, but they can! Here are 50 winter wellness tips to keep healthy.

Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to get sick during the winter. Try these winter wellness tips and trick to stay healthy all season long.

When it comes to winter wellness, many may think that putting those words together are an oxymoron. But, that’s not necessarily the case.

While scrolling through social media or watching the news, it’s easy to believe that winter illness is a fact of life.

What’s more often the case is that gravitating to comfort over wellness habits lead to a breech in good health. To keep you and your family on the right track, here are some simple winter wellness tips to keep healthy all season long.

1. Read a Good Wellness Book

A good wellness book can re-ignite your energy, strengthen your immunity and jumpstart your wellness for the winter season ahead. Be FINE: Your Drug Free Prescription to Age Well, Beat Bulge and Stop Disease is that book. Not only will it inspire you, but this book details the exact steps you need to Be FINE without the use of any drugs. I should know, I wrote it.

2. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize

Winter is long and the dry weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Switch to ultra moisturizing butters and creams o keep your skin supple, and give you exactly what you need.

3. Cut the Sugar

Eighty percent of store-bought groceries have added processed sugars and/or sweeteners. Learn to read nutrition labels and avoid unwanted and added sugar. Processed sugars are inflammatory and inflammation is the foundation of many diseases and conditions. Instead, opt for natural sugars like sucanat, coconut sugar, honey and maple syrup.

4. Get Outside

During the winter season it’s quite common for people to be affected by bouts of seasonal depression. Walking is not just a form of exercise, exposure to the outdoors has been shown to lower depression, comparatively than being indoors. Some of the other benefits of going outside include decreased cholesterol, reduced heart rate, better blood pressure and increased metabolism.

5. Walk it Out

Tracking devices are an option for keeping a record of your steps while inside or out. Pay attention and track your steps with the intention of beating your goals from the previous day. When using a tracking device, be smart about the detrimental effects that can come from constant exposure to WiFi. Many phones coming with built-in step trackers that can used while in airplane mood to limit exposure.

6. Book a Massage

Human touch is healing, relaxing and is a great way to amp up your winter wellness routine. The movement of lymph in the body is also beneficial for the immune system.

7. Use an Exfoliating Lip Balm

Lips can get so try during the winter season. Fight back my using a homemade or store bought exfoliating lip balm.

8. Take a Winter Getaway

Taking a warm weather getaway is never a bad thing. It doesn’t have to be anyplace fancy either. Even a day trip can re-energize the mind, body and soul.

9. Get Centered

Clear your head space and try a meditation app to break up your daily routine. Here’s a list of some recommended meditation apps to try. (Meditation Apps)

10. Take More Fiber

Most Americans do a poor job when it comes to getting the daily amount of recommended fiber and only get half of the daily recommended 25-35 grams a day.

With 6 grams of fiber per serving, using a supplement like this one is an easy and effective way to add fiber to non carbonated beverages and get exactly what you need.

11. Meet Up with a Friend

Winter is a difficult time of year for many. Blame it on the lack of sunlight, crazy family dynamics and the loss of loved-ones. Sometimes the loneliness comes from the death of friends and family. Other times it comes from the fact that a house that was once filled with the laughter of children is now an empty shell of what it used to be.

Everyone has their own lives. No one wants to spend time talking on the phone anymore. We’re all just too busy. Busy to talk. Busy to meet up. Busy to connect.

According to a Steve Cole (a genomic researcher), the disease of loneliness makes people more vulnerable to high blood pressure, suicide, depression, Alzheimer’s and even the common cold! For your health and sanity, take some time and get together with a friend.

And if you’re current friends won’t take or make the time, by all means…make new ones. This is not the time lament about what used to be. The past is the past. Making friends and meeting friends is good for your health.

12. Use Natural Probiotics

By the time winter rolls around cold and flu germs seem like they can’t be stopped. But are there really more germs present in the winter than other times of year?

The issue is not there are more germs present, but most people eat for comfort versus health in the winter months.

The fact that about 80% of immunity lies in the gut means that much of immunity is lost when healthy diets go out the window. Probiotics introduce good bacteria back into the gut, establishing a balanced ratio of good versus bad bacteria and overall immunity.

Eating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, traditionally fermented pickles is a great way to pump yourself up with “good for you” probiotic foods.

13. Try a New Activity

It’s so easy to get stuck in the same patterns day after day especially when it’s cold outside. From racquetball, to skating, to rebounding. Try a new activity each month and experience a “winter awakening”.

Use group buying sites like LivingSocial and Groupon for fun inspiration.

14. Get More Antioxidants

Antioxidants are like little jewels of health that work in our favor. You can get antioxidants naturally from seasonal fruits and veggies. Eat in season as much as possible.

15. Drink More Water

When it comes keeping hydrated, people often think about the summer months without much regard to the winter. But drinking water and keeping hydrated should be a consistent part of winter wellness which helps flush pesky toxins out.

16. Get More Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a key role in immune health. Sun exposure is the most effective way to get that vitamin D. Since people get significantly less sun in the winter and living in higher latitudes make it difficult for your body to make vitamin D, taking a vitamin supplement is highly encouraged.

Check with your family physician to get your levels checked before supplementing.

Here’s one to try.

17. Drink a Green Juice

A green juice like this detox cilantro juice is can help to keep your immune system robust even during the cold weather months.

18. Enjoy Nutritious Winter Soups

The winter is a perfect time to enjoy tasty one pot wonders. Healthy soup recipes are a great way to warm up and keep healthy front and center. Keep the ingredients simple, whole and organic. Try to steer away from soups laden with heavily processed dairy and processed grain. Try some of my winter soup recipes and see what you think.

Need more inspiration, these dry soup mixes may be worth a try!

19. Blue Light Glasses

During the winter months, more time is spent indoors than out. As a result screen time on computers, tv’s and phones can go way up. Use the blue light glasses to minimize exposure to damaging unnatural blue light and keep circadian rhythms in check.

20. Read One Book Each Month

Reading books have several benefits. Some of which are cognitive stimulation, better writing ability, memory improvement and increased focus.

If you’re in search of a new health and wellness book to add to your reading list, pick up a copy of my book, Be FINE on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

21. Humidifier

During the winter months, the indoor air gets really dry. Dry mucous passages are more susceptible to cold and flu germs. Humidifiers helps to moisturize those air passages and while keeping skin moist. Are you uncertain about which humidifier to get?

I’ve vetted this brand and use it in my own home.

22. Limit Time on Social Media

More and more, social media has been a place that doesn’t necessarily bring joy to all. Limit your time on social media by going into your phone’s settings and selecting a screen time limit for social media apps each week.

You can also set up specific blocks of time for social media use each night and be deliberate about making time for other things.

Remember, reading the wrong types stories and following negative people can have a devastating effect on your mood and your health.

23. Buy a Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets like this one has been to help with everything from restless leg syndrome, improving sleep and combating stress.

24. Air Purifier

Indoor air quality drops dramatically during the winter months. Use an air purifier to help clean up the yucky stuff that you can’t see.

This air purifier has been so effective in keeping our air clean that I bought two and have recommended it several times.

25. Cup of Tea

The benefits of tea goes back thousands of years and many varieties actually work to boost immunity. Choose your best pick and drink up.

By the way, since we’re talking about tea, did you know that matcha tea contains more antioxidants than regular green tea?

One study found the that matcha tea contains 137 antioxidants than regular green tea.

Antioxidants are great for cellular repair and fighting inflammation. When it comes to keeping healthy in the winter, I think we could all use more of that.

Want a new way to get your matcha, try making these matcha energy balls.

26. Set a Bedtime Routine

Having a predictable bedtime routine is a great way to get more sleep and feel more rested during the day. Some phones have a feature that allows you to set a bedtime for yourself every night and stick to it.

27. Eat Seasonably

Pumpkins, gourds, pomegranates and pears are just some of the delectable fruits and vegetables that are in season in the winter months. Sticking to foods grown in season, send your body the right cues and help you best manage the season.

28. Take Elderberry

Take a elderberry supplement daily (especially during the cold and flu season) is smart to do.

29. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing involves using a dry brush with firm bristles on the skin to exfoliate, remove dead skin and improve lymphatic drainage. Dry brushing has even been known to help with cellulite.

Dry adding dry brushing to your routine and see what you think.

30. Engage in Physical Activity

Winter weather is no excuse to fizzle out on your workout routine. There are even virtual classes that you can take from the comfort of your home.

Rebounding is also a beneficial exercise that you can do anywhere and it’s fun too!

31. Use Essential Oils

There’s a reason that essential oils have been used for thousands of years. Essential oils can be used for everything from insomnia to improving energy. I added a lavender eucalyptus shower mist to my evening routine and love it.

32. Learn to Manage Stress

The winter season can come with it’s own set of stressors. Use techniques like journaling, exercising or talking to a friend to get you through. Read this post for tips on stress relief tips for moms.

33. Wash Your Hands

Walking around with hand sanitizer is OK but, what’s even better than sanitizer is hand-washing using soap and water. To make sure your hands are thoroughly clean, be sure to sing the ABC’s (twice) all the way through while washing.

In addition, make sure to moisturize your hands right after with a thick lotion like cocoa butter or coconut oil to prevent your hands from drying out.

34. Avoid Eye Contact

The eyes and nose are hot spots for germ entry into the body. So keep your hands clean and avoid touching those parts of your face whenever possible.

35. Set SMART Goals

Smart goals are “Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant and Timely”. January is busy of people making goals to be better and do better. But, you don’t have to wait until January. SMART goals can be made any time of year. Make sure that your goals are specific as possible.

In addition, find a way to track those goals. Tracking could be something as simple using a journal or using an app on your phone to track your steps if you have fitness goal.

Whatever your goals are, make them achievable and relevant to you. Saying that you’d like to be a millionaire in 6 months when you’re between jobs and are in thousands of dollars of dept, sounds really admirable, but isn’t realistic.

Lastly, make those goals timely. Assign a time to when you’d like to achieve each goal by.

36. Practice Gratitude

It’s impossible to be anxious and grateful at the same time. Start keeping a gratitude journal to introduce more calm into your life.

37. Yoga

Yoga is one of those practices that is good for the mind, body and soul. That being said, fold yourself into a pretzel and go get healthy.

38. Be Good to Your Gut

Seventy to eighty percent of immunity is in your gut. One of the reasons that so many are people prone to germs during the cold and flu season is because of how they eat. Nourish your body with “good for you gut” recipes like ginger beer, chia pudding, flaxseed pudding, bone broth and homemade apple sauce. It really works!

39. Clean Air Filters & HVAC Units

Dirty air filters and HVAC ducts can be a source of diminished air quality and winter allergies in your home. Change your air filters every three months and get your home’s HVAC system professionally cleaned once every three to five years. You’ll be surprised and grossed out by what you find.

40. Beautify with Flowers

Flowers can be an uplifting and energizing pop of color to your space. Buy your favorite blooms at the grocery store or online.

41. Play Mind Games

Sudoko and other word puzzles and teasers are great for the brain and fun too.

42. Exfoliate

Winter has a tendency to bring out the worse in skin. Using exfoliating cleansers and loofahs during your shower is an opportunity to slough off dead old skin.

43. Attend a Wellness Retreat

Wellness retreats are a perfect winter escape if you want to focus on health and wellness. Canyon Ranch has several locations and even offers wellness cruises as well.

44. Each Fresh at Every Meal

During the winter months, foods like salads and veggie filled wraps are less consumed. But eating fresh seasonal produce everyday is an important part of maintaining health and immunity at every meal every time. This could be as simple as topping your morning cereal with some applesauce or having a side salad with a cup of soup for lunch.

45. Try Some Honey

Have a cough or itchy throat? Manuka is great at coating the throat and is full of inflammation lowering agents that will get you back up to speed. Manuka honey is very special because it’s produced by bees native to New Zealand with natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Fermented garlic honey is also an immune boosting favorite.

46. Salt Lamp

Salt lamps do a good job of cleaning the air and are quite affordable. Consider buying one for every room

47. Create a Spa Day at Home

Even if it’s too cold to get outside, staying indoors doesn’t have to be monotonous. Take some time for yourself and have a spa day at home.

48. Drink Bone Broth

Bone broth is a simple and delicious way to amp up your health especially in the winter months. Not only is the broth comforting, but bone broth works to seal tight junctions in the gut and really amp up immunity.

Try this organic beef bone broth recipe.

49. Go Beyond Elderberry

When it comes to building wellness and immunity, lots of people have already heard of elderberry.

But, consider exploring other supplements like turmeric and black cumin oil to add to your winter wellness routine. Turmeric lemon shots are a win!

50. Be Flexible When it Comes to Exercise

Exercise is not necessarily something that is top of mind in the winter months, but it should be. One of the best ways to get well and stay well is by adapting a consistent exercise routine.

And you don’t have to exercise by going to the gym either. Rock climbing, dancing, rebounding and indoor tennis all count as suitable exercise routines.

When it comes to winter wellness, the approach should be multi-faceted. It’s important to note that modern medicine only became highly commercialized within the last 100 years. Many people have forgotten that before the advent of modern medicine, lifestyle practices, herbs, spices and medicinal plants were used to successfully treat and help heal bodies.

An under-utilization of those means for proactive health is one of the reasons why it’s a challenge for many to keep healthy during the cold winter months.

Hire a naturopath or holistic doctor as part of your health and wellness team. Entertain alternative paths to wellness in combination to lifestyle changes and grab the power to drastically change your health and your life.

Want to learn more about how to be your best own advocate? Then pick up a copy of my new book, Be FINE: Your Drug Free Prescription to Age Well, Beat Bulge and Stop Disease.