Stay active
The most important factor in winter exercise is to make sure to dress appropriately and wear sunscreen when going outside. Daily exercise can be a great way to ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by elevating feel-good hormones! Time outside can also allow your body to absorb natural Vitamin D from the sun. Another great benefit of winter time exercise is the increase of endurance as our bodies have to expend less energy, and the heart does not have to work as hard in the cold. Here are some great indoor and outdoor ideas to stay healthy during the chillier months:
- Sledding
- Snowshoeing
- A walk around the mall
- Indoor roller skating
- Ice Skating
- Group fitness class (Yoga, Zumba)
- Swim at an indoor pool
- Start an at home workout regimen
Vitamin D
Ironically, Winter is the time when our bodies need the most Vitamin D but frankly we do not get enough. Time outdoors accompanied by a Vitamin D supplement can ensure our bodies are staying healthy enough to fight infections that can sneak up when levels are low. Vitamin D plays a wide variety of roles in the body including the promotion of healthy bones and teeth, support of brain and nervous system health, and regulating insulin levels to support diabetes management. Most importantly, many studies suggest that Vitamin D has a protective effect against the flu virus and other immune system irregularities.
Zinc
Over the years, zinc has been an increasingly popular preventative treatment of the common cold and immune system boost. Zinc supports the growth and functioning of immune cells. Our pharmaceutical grade zinc helps to ward off sickness during these crucial cold months. Research shows that consuming at least 75 mg of zinc per day shortened the common cold by up to 33 percent.
Fish Oil
Zinc and omega-3 fish oil work synergistically, therefore it is optimal to have both at thriving levels. Fish oil helps to maintain our well-rounded health, reducing the risks of factors associated with strokes and heart attacks while simultaneously improving memory loss and symptoms of depression. Luckily, our fish oil supplement is highly absorbable liquid with little to no after taste, making it a great addition to any diet for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant purposes.
Neurofeedback Therapy
It is essential to keep brain health optimal and at peak levels during the winter. To mitigate the effects of SAD, neurofeedback therapy can be a phenomenal form of additive treatment to promote health when it is needed most. SAD symptoms affect indivduals for 4 to 5 months out of the year. The suffering individuals encounter has the potential to be eliminated through the use of operant conditioning within neurofeedback therapy. Call 919-721-4800 today to learn more about how neurofeeback therapy can help symptoms of SAD.
