On Winter Health

It's winter. The cold is in our bones, and the dreaded dry skin is creeping up our arms. Not to mention, we're all feeling unhealthy and nasty from all those sweets we indulged in over the holidays. For the past month or two, I've been thinking about winter health—and health in general. What are some subtle ways to be healthy that aren't a pain? So, in other words, what are some easy ways to be healthy that even I'd go along with?

De-stress.

I've learned that stress can escalate a lot of unhealthy habits. From anxiety disorders to stress-eating, there are a lot of negative consequences to not taking care of your mental health. It can affect how easy it is to fall asleep (speaking from personal experience). If you're not careful, your whole life could end up being run by anxiety. So take care of yourself, gently. Remember to start simple. De-stressing is important. Don't neglect yourself. But don't overwhelm yourself, either.

Get Some You Time.

A while ago, I took a weekend to relax: I tried fruit-infused water (pictured above), which was fantastic, using hand scrubs I'd made so my hands didn't get dry, lighting candles to help relax, and in general taking it easy. But I did it over a weekend so I could still get some work done. I made sure I was relaxed and that I didn't put enough on my plate to stress myself out. I did enough, and I kept myself calm.

Eat Healthy—Simply.

Get on Pinterest. All of those lists for "real food" snacks or lunches for kids? Well, I'm as picky of an eater as any kid out there, so those articles are a life-saver for me. Check out "28 Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories." To me, even some of these would be nasty. But that's the cool thing about food. You can mix and match to make whatever you want. "School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters" also has some great ideas!

Make Working Out Easy.

Don't make such a big deal about working out. Start small. Do wall sits while you brush your teeth. Do calf and thigh stretches after you get out of the shower. That way, you don't have to warm up your muscles. Park farther away in parking lots so you have to walk just a little bit farther. Stop taking the elevator—take the stairs! Obviously, these won't have the same effect as an actual work out, but you know what? It's a start.

Remember to always take care of yourself. You're a loved and precious child of God. So treat yourself like one.

Rebekah