Winter Wellness: Tips to Thrive in the Cold

Here in Northeastern Ohio the snow has come in along with the deep freeze. Winter is beautiful to look at from inside, but the harsh temperatures, the shoveling, the demands of carrying on through those cold snaps can be challenging to us all. How are you coping? Here are a few recommendations for getting through the deep freeze:

• Layer your clothes – Creating several layers allows body heat to be trapped in and keep the chilly temps out.
• Consider mittens over gloves – Mittens hold in the heat better because there is that pocket where your fingers can stay together. With gloves there is more surface exposure to each finger.
• Check on your neighbors – whether young or old, its always great to check in on those that live around you.
• Keep a full tank of gas in your car
• Now is the time to catch up on those books you intended to read
• Keep hydrated – drink warm or hot beverages to help keep body temperature.
• Limit the time your kids and pets are outside and always check for frostbite when they come in
• Take warm showers or baths rather than Hot ones – this prevents your skin from loosing needed natural skin oils which leads to dry skin.
• Fight the winter blues by getting into good sunlight. Exposure to sun makes all the difference.
• Make a big pot of comfort food like chicken soup, chili, or stew. The smells of cooking also stimulate our senses and warm us.
• Have a to go pack in your car – blankets, flashlight, snacks
• Make sure your cell phone is charged
• Take up a new hobby or craft.