Prioritize Your Health Instead of Hibernating

Woman sitting on the couch reading a magazine

When cold weather hits, it’s easy to聽prioritize hibernating over聽health鈥攁bandoning聽outdoor activities and opting聽for comfort foods and the couch. However, you can keep up your healthy habits鈥揳nd even add some new ones鈥揺ven if you鈥檙e stuck inside.

Here are some strategies for prioritizing health when you鈥檙e cooped-up indoors during the cold weather.

8 ways to prioritize health instead of hibernating

1. Make some soup

Soup_Garnish_edited
Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

Instead of a snow day baking sweet treats, try making a big batch of soup. You can experiment with different ingredients all winter long, providing you with a healthy distraction from the cold and an endless source of nutritious, warm meals.

Want to increase the fun factor? Try a 鈥淪oup Swap鈥 with friends, where everyone makes a different type and divides it into batches for easy sharing.

2. Meditate

Chances are you鈥檙e already spending a lot of time sitting indoors in the winter months, so why not take advantage of your downtime to try meditating? Research shows it can have , all without having to leave your home or buy special equipment.

3. Stream and sweat

When it鈥檚 so cold outside that you don鈥檛 want to leave the house to work out, consider turning to digital streaming services instead. Not to binge-watch videos聽or TV shows, but to exercise!聽Scroll through the variety of workout offerings and choose an exercise or two 鈥 or a full workout. Remember to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.

4. Calisthenics

Missing the gym? Skip thepushup barbells and use your own body weight to become stronger. Common exercises include squats, lunges, push-ups, and crunches. Again, be sure to check with your doctor before making any changes to your exercise program.

5. Get your steps in on the stairs

Step counts often dwindle in winter, when walking outdoors is at a minimum. Take advantage of indoor time by walking up and down your building鈥檚 stairs, if your building has them. Just be sure to watch for ice and slippery spots.

6. Try tea

Being stuck inside can encourage snacking, and chilly weathertea can lead to comfort food cravings. Before reaching for a plate, though, pour yourself a mug of warm tea. You鈥檒l find it often lasts longer than a quick snack, and it can be surprisingly satiating.

7. Stand up for your health

鈥淪it time鈥 peaks during winter, when we want to stay at home and avoid the outdoors. It鈥檚 easy to while away the time watching movies, reading, or browsing online, but remember to set a timer on your phone that reminds you to walk around every hour 鈥 even just a few trips back and forth to the other side of your home.

8. Read an inspiring book

Another great way to prioritize health 鈥 even when low bookstemperatures聽have you聽feeling sluggish 鈥 is to turn to a book for a major dose of motivation. Find a health or nutrition book online, at a bookstore, or your local library, and use it as a source of inspiration to get you through winter. You could even start a 鈥渉ealthy book club鈥 with friends and instead of reading the same book, assign different titles so everyone can share notes and maximize motivation!