Winter can undoubtedly have an impact on our mood, skin and immune system, with darker nights and colder mornings naturally enticing us to hibernate and comfort ourselves with rich warm foods. While exercising less and overeating may seem more appealing because we’re all tucked up at home, our body will thank us in the long run if we can adjust ourselves accordingly and continue to nourish our mind, body and spirit throughout the colder season.

Have you noticed in summer we naturally crave fresh, hydrating foods (e.g. watermelon, juices, salads) however come winter we just can’t seem to get away from the spaghetti bolognas and carrot cake? While part of the reason may be the bikini-weather-vs-sweater-weather mentality, it’s also driven by your body’s own innate wisdom which is in tune with the changing seasons (meaning that your body will naturally crave warm, calorie-rich foods that will keep your tummy nice and full). This ability to stay in-tune with the seasons is a highly instinctive part of human nature, but one which can easily be lost in these times of vicarious living. And yes, while we all do wish we were sipping coconuts (and maybe a few mojitos?) in the Bali sun, what we really should be doing is reframing our mindset and trying to see winter as a restorative time for us where we can slow down, rest-up, and nourish ourselves with the abundance of produce now available.

Here are a few tips for staying happy and healthy this winter:

Exercise
Although the comforts of a nice warm bed can often compromise our fitness regimes, staying motivated to exercise in winter will not only benefit your weight, strength, and overall fitness levels, it will also help you battle the winter blues by releasing numerous ‘feel good’ hormones into your bloodstream. Depression often increases in winter, which is why making sure that we are encouraging our body to produce these chemicals is even more important. Studies have shown that exercise can also help ease anxiety, increase your energy levels and help you sleep better, overall making you a fitter (and happier) person!
Eat yourself happy
Food really is more than just an energy source, it’s a form of medicine! Including foods like salmon, bananas, dark leafy greens, cacao, brazil nuts and if you can stomach it , liver, is a great start as they have all been shown to help improve mood and cognitive function. Developing a healthy relationship with food is also just as important, as dieting and stress can derail any benefits of a pristine diet. Shifting our perspective to a lifestyle of abundance as oppose to deprivation can truly change the way we see food, and will eventually result in a happier and healthier body.
Hydrate
Most people tend to reduce their water intake come winter, as their ability to feel thirsty declines. While we may not be sweating excessively in the sun, our body can still be dehydrated in winter as water vapor is being lost through your breath (that’s the steam you see streaming from your mouth in frigid temperatures). Although we hear it all the time, staying hydrated really is crucial for our health and well-being. Hydration effects practically every function in the body, so if you are dehydrated you won’t be functioning properly! Try adding flavor to a 2L water bottle (e.g lemon juice, berries, mint) and make it your winter goal to sip on it throughout the day.
Get some lovin’
You can have the best diet and exercise regime in the world, but you can’t deny the nurturing effects that loving and healthy relationships can give you. Allowing ourselves to love and be loved is essential for our mental and emotional health. Studies have proven the health benefits of a hug, showing that warm physical contact increases our levels of the hormone Oxytocin which makes us feel good.  Oxytocin has been shown to increase our levels of trust, helps induce feelings of optimism, and can also lower our stress levels. Start making more time with the ones you love this winter and make sure to squeeze-in as many hugs as you can.