5 feel-good tips for surviving the cold winter

The cold season by no means has to be unpleasant. Proper autumn storms are over, and in the best case there will be less of the cold, wet weather. So you can easily spend time outside, and then make yourself really cosy when you get back home again.

Sport is good against winter blues

Of course, we don’t spend as much time outdoors in winter as we do in the warm months of spring and summer. But don’t miss out on getting a healthy dose of fresh air and plenty of exercise in the open air. In fact, sport is the best thing you can do to prevent the winter blues from even occurring. If the weather permits, then it’s a good idea to go for a jog outdoors, ideally past snow-covered fields or through the forest as it sparkles and glistens in the winter sun. Alternatively, you could get your sledge or ice skates out. The perfect end to a spell outside in the cold is a hot shower at home followed by curling up in a warm blanket on the sofa. Pure relaxation!

Boost your vitamin reserves

When the temperature drops it can weaken our immune system, which increases the risk of us catching a cold or flu. And who wants to lie in bed with a sore throat, a headache and aching joints when there’s a winter wonderland outside just calling you to go for a walk? So as well as getting enough exercise in winter, you should also make sure you have a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins. Many people develop a vitamin D deficiency during the dark season, as the skin develops this vitamin from the sun. Fish, eggs, dairy products and mushrooms contain this immune system-boosting vitamin. Your body also needs vitamins C, A, E and folic acid. Incidentally, did you know that peppers contains almost three times as much vitamin C as oranges?

Curl up with a book and escape daily life

If, for instance, you need a short break after the stresses of the day, you don’t have to go far. A book allows you to experience distant places and all sorts of things that are a varied and entertaining contrast to often dull daily life. Reading reduces stress, because we focus so much on the book that we switch off from daily life. It’s a good idea to create your own personal reading space with everything that you need, from some gingerbread to hot tea. The bath is another wonderful place to relax with a good book.

Only heat helps against the cold

In Scandinavia, where the winters are particularly long, cold and dark, people know what is the best way to deal with the cold: heating up in a sauna! If you have regular saunas, you will stimulate your blood circulation as well as boost your entire organism and immune system, which relaxes your muscles and is good for the skin. It also increases the blood supply e.g. to the mucous membranes of the nose, which strengthens their natural protective function and helps fight infections.

Knead frozen muscles

Little is more relaxing than a massage by a specialist with warm oils in a quiet, pleasant atmosphere. Like a sauna, a massage will also stimulate the circulation and warm you from the inside out. Afterwards, you’ll feel revitalised and completely relaxed. Whichever option you choose to relax during the cold winter months, do it as often as you feel like it and are able to. It doesn’t even require much time or effort. There are plenty of things you can easily do at home to relax and enjoy your way through the winter.