It’s not just you. The shorter, colder days of the winter months have many of us settling into hibernation mode, feeling lethargic and unmotivated, and more likely to overindulge. Some of us even experience a form of winter depression appropriately called seasonal affective disorder or SAD.
With cold and flu season well underway, here are some tips to supercharge your health and wellbeing, and help you feel your best this winter.
Get the flu shot, before the flu gets you
Remember to get your flu vaccination! Wash your hands often to stop the spread of germs. Disinfect your digital devices (studies show they carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats!) and wash your hands after touching someone else’s keyboard or phone at work.
Nourish your body  
It’s tempting to indulge in rich, comforting treats when the weather is lousy, but maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is key to a strong immune system. Seasonal vegetables will boost your vitamin and mineral intake, without breaking the bank!
Wellness Tip #1: Keep an eye out for green, leafy veggies – these are full of iron, zinc and vitamin C. Ginger, garlic and fermented foods (like sauerkraut and kimchi) are great for gut health.
Click here to check out Chorus Kitchen Team Leader Gigi’s favourite winter recipe for chicken noodle soup, super tasty and perfect for fighting cold and flus. (bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1869/chicken-noodle-soup)
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Drink at least eight  glasses of water each day. This will help flush out any nasties from your body and keep your skin from getting dry under those harsh, office heating systems.
Wellness Tip #2: Liven up a glass of water with some zingy citrus and ginger, or fruit and fresh mint. Try these combinations with hot water on a cold day.
Stay active
Motivation to break a sweat can be hard to come by on a chilly winter day, but the benefits of exercise far outweigh huddling up on the couch for several hours. Regular exercise strengthens your immune system and the endorphin rush can help beat those winter blues. You will even burn extra calories exercising outdoors, as your body works harder to regulate its core temperatures. Add some fun and motivation by recruiting family and friends to get active with you – plan a family bike ride, or walk along the beach with a friend.
Wellness Tip #3: Use your lunch break to stretch your legs and catch a little sun. Walk to a park bench and enjoy your lunch in the fresh air.
Rest up 
Make sure you get those zzzs in! Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night and well rested people are much less likely to catch a bug.
Wellness tip #4: Stick to a sleep schedule, and set up a nightly routine – e.g. no screen-time after 9pm – to train your brain into knowing when it’s time to slow down. Weekend sleep-ins don’t make up for weeknight sleep deprivation!
Do you have any winter wellness tips you absolutely swear by? Share them with us! The best tips will feature across Chorus social media.
