Many of us approach the winter with a feeling of dread, remembering the demands of the festive season and the colds brought home by little (and big) family members. With simple hacks to keep your health and wellbeing in check, you can enjoy the celebrations and have a wonderful, healthy winter without having to suffer a mix of colds, weight gain and hangovers.
During hot weather it is easy to remember water, however winter’s central heating, warming fires and cold winds can all be very dehydrating. Drinking lots of water through the cold months is incredibly important, especially when at parties; some of the worst damage happens if we are handed an alcoholic drink when we are thirsty and haven’t noticed. Keeping your liver well hydrated is important for handling alcohol consumption and for keeping your skin plumped up and hydrated. Despite its reputation, water can also improve your digestion, especially when eating comforting but heavy meals.
Though not winter-specific, this advice is as useful in the darker months as it is in mid-summer: always have some good snacking food on hand in case you find yourself going a long time without food when life gets busy. This is especially important for any parties or after work drinks that run into suppertime. ‘It’s actually easier to get through the winter feeling well and strong than you might imagine – it just takes a little adjusting of your perspective and a few tricks.’ – Rhaya
I would recommend something protein-rich like almonds, good quality cheese or taking an extra lunch to work when you know the drinks are happening. Alcohol is an appetite stimulant and a willpower weakener, so going to any seasonal party feeling well fed and hydrated could help you make better choices. I can’t guarantee it will stop you eating leftover Christmas cake, but it will certainly help.
If you are hosting any mid-winter parties, feed your guests real food. A buffet with a side of salmon, good quality cheese and nuts, seasonal fruits and a lovely serving of bruschetta is much easier to put together than dozens of tiny canapés that leave you chained to the oven all night. Nutrient-dense food is still a celebratory feast but it asks nothing of you once prepped.
It’s tempting to hit the hay earlier as the days get shorter and sometimes this is a brilliant way to improve your sleep habits before the days get long again. Here are a couple of quick actions we can do to wake up feeling refreshed the next day: I recommend taking a good B vitamin and a strong magnesium supplement, preferably one with milk thistle or artichoke in it if you’ve eaten heavy food that is more ‘celebratory’ than healthy. Take these with a large glass of water and overnight they will get to work on supporting your liver and clearing your system. Then, when you wake, have a pint of water next to the bed to begin the day well hydrated. By the time we reach spring you will be feeling fabulous.
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