Prioritizing Your Wellness During Winter

Green Bay Area Mom
Feb 17
3 min read

This post was sponsored by the experts at Prevea Health.

Although winter can be snow-covered and magical, it can also bring about feelings of “winter blues” when the nights are longer and the daylight hours are shorter. It is important, especially as moms, that we have tools in place to protect our well-being throughout these good ol’ Wisconsin winter months.

Let’s go over a few tips to help you stay healthy and protect your sanity for the rest of this season.

Practice self-care

Self-care looks different for everyone. The trick is to identify what you need to feel your best and weave that into your regular routine. Examples of self-care include:

Taking breaks (including paid time off from work)
Exercising regularly (even just 15-20 minutes of yoga or a quick walk can improve your mood and reduce your stress levels.
Engaging in hobbies and interests (do what brings you joy, like crafts)
Eating nutritious food (have more whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, and limit processed foods)
Getting the right amount and quality of sleep (experts recommend adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night)
Socializing with people you enjoy (carve out time to get together with friends or family)

Outdoor activities

Getting all bundled up and braving the cold is a great way to get vitamin D and stay active! Below are a few outdoor winter activities for you to consider.

Brisk walking: A simple activity that can provide big fitness benefits.
Ice skating: A fun winter activity.
Snowshoeing: A cardio exercise that can also improve strength, agility, balance, and endurance.
Cross-country skiing: Can be an intense or moderate workout depending on your skill level.
Sledding: A fun winter activity.
Jogging or running: Can be done outdoors or indoors.

Boost your immune system

As we are in the cold and flu season, it is especially important to strengthen your immune system to stay ahead of infections and illness. A balanced and nutritious diet, combined with regular exercise, is a great start to staying healthy. There are also additional steps you can take to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meat thoroughly. Last, keep current with all recommended vaccines; vaccines prime your immune system to fight off infections before they take hold in your body.

Surround yourself with support

Social connection is important, especially over the winter months when isolation is more common. Identifying and utilizing your support system or building one through volunteering or community involvement is huge. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, build you up, and fill your cup! Also, remember that it is okay to ask for help; you are not alone. This could range from asking for help with tasks around the house to seeking professional support, depending on your individual needs. You are worth it!

At Prevea, we have a Prescription for Wellness team of health and wellness specialists and a registered dietitian nutritionist who are available to help you prioritize your wellness and achieve your individual wellness goals. Key services offered through Prescription for Wellness include: