Winter wellness

Winter is well and truly here, and while it’s the perfect time to rug up, get the fire going and get cosy with a movie or book – the reality is we still have to get on with everyday life, work and family commitments. Which is why it is so important to look after ourselves and stay healthy during the colder season.

Here’s our top tips for boosting your health and well-being over the next few months:

It may be tempting to eat a lot of unhealthy comfort food but we still need to eat our fruits and vegetables to keep our immune system functioning and strong. There’s nothing wrong with having a treat here and there, I mean who can resist a hot almond milk latte?! But don’t forget to get your recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables too. Eat foods that are high in Vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, kiwi fruit, leafy greens, broccoli and capsicum to help keep the cold and flu away.

Making big pots of hearty soups and stews, loaded with vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroots, parsnips, pumpkin, zucchini, leeks, mushroom and fresh herbs and spices, this will last you for days, and warm you from the inside out. Increase your plant protein by adding beans and legumes to really satisfy on these chilli days and nights.

It may be tempting to hit snooze and curl up in bed longer, but it’s important to keep to your exercise routine during winter as this helps keep our immune system strong and our mindset positive. Regular moderate exercise for five or more days of the week can help keep your number of sick days down.

Our favorites during the cooler months are warm to hot yoga and Cosmic Yoga West Lakes have a number of classes that will warm body and soul.

Looking for high intensity training? Join Juice Institute’s Gabby on the spin bike at Goodlife Cross Roads Tuesday night’s 6pm for a 30 minute cycle class to fire the body up. Gabby is always free after class to answer your juice and cleanse questions as well. 

Winter hikes are our favourite.  Whether it’s Waterfall Gully, Marion Coastal Trail or Belair National Park, there is something magical about moving in nature and taking in the fresh air and beauty of this time of year. Run, walk or bike, rug up, get out and explore.

 

Vitamins and minerals support your body’s immune system and give it the boost it needs to protect you during winter. All nutrients are important but during the cooler months Vitamins A, C and D are essential. Eating a variety of colourful seasonal fruits and vegetables will have you covered, but 5 to 7 servings a day is often challenging. A simple way to ensure your nutrients are being met is our juices, they are full of all the vitamins and minerals you need. We even have our special Winter Immunity Punch which is a small powerful shot of immunity strengthening raw juice! It’s loaded with Vitamin C, has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and the perfect about of chilli to help clear congestion.

Sleep is not only important for the body to regenerate itself but it also plays an important part in your immune system. When you sleep, your body produces cytokines - which are a protein that targets inflammation and infection.

If you don’t get enough rest then your body does not get the chance to produce these proteins and you will be more vulnerable to getting a cold or flu. Everyone is different, but getting around 6-8 hours of sleep will help keep you healthy and well. Early nights this time of year are our favourite.

Stay healthy, well and warm over the winter season! Move, rest, cleanse, nourish and take in the wonder that is winter.

By Andrea Paran