10 Ways to Keep Your Energy Levels High in Winter
As the summer draws to a close, many people find that they have much less energy during the freezing winter months. For some, this may just be a case of wanting to curl up on the sofa with a hot drink, but for others it could signal something more serious such as seasonal affective disorder. Whatever the reason, keeping active during the winter is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid the winter blues. The following tips are great ways to boost your energy levels and stay active in the colder months.
1. Exercise
Hitting the gym may seem like the last thing on your mind when it’s freezing outside, but regular exercise is a guaranteed way to increase your energy. Try to aim for at least three to five workouts per week that incorporate stretching, weights and some form of cardiovascular training. Walking is also great exercise that you can do daily instead of exhausting workouts. If you’re not an exercise person, try to make a habit of doing your morning exercises. This small change in your lifestyle will help you boost your energy and improve your overall health.
2. Increase your iron intake
If you find yourself constantly tired and irritable without an underlying reason, it may be due to a lack of iron. Women who suffer from heavy periods are at an increased risk of iron deficiency which can lead to more serious conditions such as anaemia. Boost your iron intake with plenty of leafy green vegetables, nuts and red meat. It’s also a good idea to start your day with green smoothies. Green smoothies are ideal for mornings since they are high in essential vitamins and nutrients that you need to keep your energy levels high throughout the day.
3. Cut out the caffeine
Energy-boosting drinks such as black tea, coffee and Red Bull provide a temporary high that is shortly followed by the inevitable crash. Many people report increased energy levels after giving up caffeine once the initial withdrawal period has passed. Opt for lemon water instead. Adding a slice of lemon to water transforms it into a natural and tasty energy drink that will help improve your energy levels, strengthen your immune system, and keep your body healthy. You can also opt for a chamomile tea or a white tea.
4. Eat regular snacks
Top up your energy levels throughout the day by snacking on fruits, nuts and fresh smoothies at regular intervals. Eating several small meals throughout the day is also recommended to avoid the bloated, tired feeling that comes after a big meal. Make sure to avoid eating quick snacks such as granola bars, fruit-flavored yogurts, bagels, muffins, scones, pretzels and potato chips. These snacks are unhealthy and they will drain your energy and make you feel sluggish, not to mention those extra calories.
Read also – 7 Habits That Wreck Your Metabolism
5. Drink water
It can be tempting to ride out the colder nights with a nice bottle of wine but alcohol is actually a depressant that will zap your energy levels quickly. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and flush out any toxins from your system. If you can’t drink plain water, consider adding grapefruit, lemon, grapes, lime, cucumber or frozen berries to it. You will have a different flavor every day, and you won’t even notice that you can drink 8 glasses of water a day.
6. Go outside
Instead of hiding indoors as soon as the temperature drops, get outside and indulge in some winter activities such as skiing, ice skating or even just building a snowman. A little fresh air and exercise will perk up your mood and make you feel more energetic. Stop thinking that it’s so cold and frosty outside, put on your best coat and your favorite boots and go outside to have a lot of fun and increase your energy levels.
7. Invest in a Light Box
If the arrival of winter leaves you feeling depressed and lethargic, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Light Box therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder and is recommended by many doctors. Sufferers are required to sit in front of the box for around 30 minutes every morning to relieve their symptoms.
8. Catch up with friends
Although winter may make you feel like hibernating, maintaining your social life and keeping busy is extremely important. Organize some fun indoor activities such as cooking, movie nights or cocktail parties. A few hours spent in the company of good friends can make you feel revived and refreshed almost instantly. You can also go outside to build cute snowmen and have a fun snowball fight.
9. Get plenty of sleep
Recharging your batteries with a good night’s sleep is essential to ensure you have enough energy to make it through the day. Aim for at least seven hours of deep sleep each night to ensure you are raring to go in the morning. Always try to sleep in a pitch black room, and be sure to turn off the TV or computer before going to sleep.
10. Enjoy the winter
Instead of dreading the winter, try to find things to love about the season. Go for walks in the snow, sign up for ice skating lessons or browse your local Christmas markets for bargains. Many towns also hold winter wonderland events that offer rides, market stalls and other goodies. When you enjoy the winter season to the fullest, you don’t feel sluggish or bored.
Read also – 10 Creative Christmas Activities for the Whole Family
Looking after your well-being is essential during the winter months as the cold nights and shorter days can bring your mood down. Be sure to pamper yourself with spa days, healthy, nutritious food and some form of spiritual exercise such as yoga or meditation. Staying happy and active will automatically keep your energy levels high no matter how low the temperature drops. What are the other ways that help you keep your energy levels high during the cold winter months?
