It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day routine, and not worry as much about what you’re eating, when you’re sleeping or how much exercise you’re actually getting. This is especially true during the winter months, as it’s harder to get out and do things, or even really notice how long you’ve been sitting in one area.
In order to stay in better health, you need to maintain a good regime to see you through the colder months. Below, 14 members of Young Entrepreneur Council shared below their best advice for taking care of yourself this winter. Here’s what they advise:
1. Hold Yourself Accountable
During the winter months it’s really hard to stay motivated with the holidays and miscellaneous parties around every corner. I’ve found that getting/paying for personal training sessions at the gym and or classes hold you accountable to show up and keep to a workout regimen. This is extremely important during winter months where holidays are close together and everyone eats more than their fill!
– Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
2. Hit the Gym and Stay Active
When it’s nice outside, you are more likely to enjoy the weather and be active. During the winter, it’s the opposite. However, many of us are already members of the gym, and right now is a great time to put those memberships to work. For myself, I personally love to play basketball a few times a week. Not a gym rat? Take a stroll around your local mall and maybe reward yourself in the process!
3. Make Smart Lifestyle Choices
Eating well and taking vacations during the cold months are great to recharge and feel energized. However, making smart lifestyle choices overall is the key to feeling well. I try to sleep seven to eight hours a night, have minimum alcohol (because then I can’t sleep), workout daily, eat a balanced diet and disconnect from work every evening at a reasonable hour so I can recharge.
– Kristin Kimberly Marquet, FemFounder
4. Cut Out Sugar
If you want to boost your health this winter, cut out sugar from your diet. You may be surprised just how much stuff sugar is in. It’s in just about everything. Cook more at home where you can truly control what is in your diet instead of eating out.
5. Take Vitamin D Supplements
Every time I do a blood check in the winter time, I’m low on Vitamin D. My doctor actually told me that most people are deficient in Vitamin D in the winter and don’t know it. Symptoms can vary but can include depression, lack of energy, weaker immune system and many more. I’ve experienced higher energy levels and better overall feeling since I started taking both Vitamin D and Omega 3s daily.
– Amine Rahal, Little Dragon Media
6. Get Enough Sleep
Plenty of sleep, keeping warm and avoiding overindulging at too many holiday parties are probably all good ideas for surviving the winter months as healthy as possible.
– Matthew Podolsky, Florida Law Advisers, P.A.
7. Eat Nutrient Dense Foods
Eating nutrient dense foods is a great way to pack on vitamins during the winter months without packing on the pounds. For example, salmon roe is very nutrient dense in DHA, which is important for brain health.
8. Cozy Up with a Warm Beverage
There’s nothing more soothing in the winter time than sipping on a warm drink. So whatever you enjoy, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, take a quiet moment for yourself now and then and enjoy a hot beverage. It’ll warm you up on those cold winter days.
– Blair Williams, MemberPress
9. Get a Flu Shot
Diet, exercise, rest and sunlight are important — but they won’t make up for catching the flu. A quick flu shot will improve your odds of having a productive winter.
10. Start a Gratitude Journal
Having a regular gratitude practice such as journaling or meditation can help warm you up in the colder months. You might start by writing down five big “wins” that you are grateful for that have happened in the last 90 days: They can range from your personal life to business success to private goals. It helps to reflect on how far you’ve come and what you have.
– Rachel Beider, Massage Outpost
11. Take Mental Health Breaks
During the long and cold winter months, it’s so important that you take mental health breaks throughout the day. Whether that be getting up and stretching or walking for five minutes, making time to go to the gym or get a work out in, and drink plenty of water. Self-care is important to make sure you are living your best life and setting yourself up for success both personally and professionally.
12. Get Outside More
Studies show that being in nature and getting fresh air can improve your mood, but in the winter months most people stay indoors and hibernate. So to help you get through the winter season slump, get outside more! Something as simple as going for a walk is a great boost for your mood.
– Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
13. Take Advantage of the Morning Atmosphere
One of the unfortunate parts of winter is that the sun is down by the time I leave work. To help make this more bearable, in winter I set aside an extra 30 minutes in the morning to sit by a window and read, look outside, sip some coffee or juice and just take in the light. It really helps set me up for a great day!
14. Try Massage and Sauna
I like to treat myself during the holidays with a deep-tissue massage, followed up by a long sauna session. The massage helps to work out any tension accumulated from stress and from spending most of my day in a chair in front of a computer screen. Then, the sauna helps me feel cleansed and refreshed, like a brand-new person. This is my secret to surviving the stressful holiday season.
These answers are provided by Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue each year and have created tens of thousands of jobs. Learn more at yec.co.