1. Stay active - Motivation drops off even for the best of us during Winter, so don’t feel discouraged if you’re finding it harder to exercise or get moving as the weather dips lower. The best thing you can do is stick to the same routine you were performing during Summer - perhaps with a few small changes to adapt to the cooler weather. For example, if you typically go for a run first thing in the morning, invest in some quality thermal running gear and get out there, switch to an evening session or even opt for an indoor run on a treadmill. Once you get moving, your body WILL warm up and you will feel better for it, so always remember how good  you’ll feel afterwards. For some extra motivation, perhaps reward yourself with a hot shower or bath once you’re done! Don’t forget to include small bouts of activity during your day too - again, this will keep you warm if you’re otherwise sitting at a desk all day, and incidental exercise can add up to big health benefits.  Ultimately, keeping active will not only do wonders for your physical health, but also your mental health, as many of us can suffer a blow to our overall morale, mood and wellbeing thanks to Seasonal Affective Disorder.  So get moving!

2. Eat nutrient-dense (not calorie-dense) foods - While it’s always tempting to eat more food during Winter, try to switch your mindset not to eating more in terms of quantity, but to eating more quality foods instead. Eating food high in nutritional value will provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to recover more quickly from common colds or to avoid them altogether through a strong immune system. Each day, try to include foods in your diet that are high in antioxidants, are protein-and fibre-rich, high in vitamins and lower in sugar.   Plus, try to add spices such as ginger,  turmeric, and cinnamon to your food to improve digestion, and reap the added benefit of boosting your immune system through their antibacterial properties. Check out our blog post on our favourite Winter Warming recipes that are low-carb and low sugar for some inspiration!

3. Stay hydrated - As the weather gets cooler, it’s easy to neglect hydration because we’re not sweating as much, we’re not using water to cool down and the last thing we want to do is sip cold or even room temperature water! However, keeping our body’s well hydrated is even more important during Winter, and will assist our body’s to flush out toxins, improve immunity and fend off winter bugs. Our best tip is to find a herbal tea that you enjoy, boil a kettle, and have a few cups a day to both warm up and stay on top of your water intake in one go.

4. Find some indoor hobbies & stay productive and warm - It’s not just our exercise motivation that dips during Winter, but mores our overall motivation to do anything. Try to keep your mind busy and your days productive - staying indoors doesn’t mean lazing around! Keeping occupied will benefit your mental health, keep general satisfaction with life high, and the extra downtime Winter may provide is the perfect opportunity to draw inwards and make more time for you!  Use your time indoors to try new things, challenge yourself and explore different ways to be productive.  Think yoga, cooking or reading a book.

5. Maintain social connection - You may not feel as inclined to socialise, go out and see your friends during Winter - or perhaps the options of things to do seems limited by the weather - but keeping in touch with your family and friends will strengthen your connections and support network, boost your mood and cultivate more wellness during this time.  A simple phone call with a friend or sitting in a warm cafe surrounded by other people may be all it takes to perk you up, energise your mind and ensure that your mental health is being looked after through a sense of greater community.