Want to maintain good physical and mental health this winter? Your winter wellness should be top of mind!
To help you stay happy and healthy this winter season, we’ve put together our top tips for winter wellness. Plus, we’ve included a list of supplements that can help you improve your mental and physical state – even during the coldest, dreariest months in Edmonton.
The Importance of Focusing on Winter Wellness
Winter brings cold and gloomy weather, fewer daylight hours, and a general lack of sunlight. As a result, your physical and mental health can be severely impacted. In fact, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, approximately 15% of Canadians experience the winter blues.
In addition to colder, darker days, your winter wellness can be impacted by a lack of essential vitamins. In particular, Vitamin D. Therefore, focusing on your winter wellness is vital. This includes eating the right foods, exercising, and taking winter supplements to ensure you’re happy and healthy all winter long!
What are good supplements to take in winter?
Supplements can help improve your physical and mental health during the winter season.
Here are 5 supplements and vitamins that are essential for winter wellness.
Please Note: Before adding any new vitamin or supplement to your diet, consult your doctor or dietician.
5 Essential Winter Wellness Supplements
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Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system.
Although some foods contain vitamin D, the best natural source is the sun. But how do we get vitamin D from the sun? When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it manufactures vitamin D!
Unfortunately, during cold Edmonton winters, the vitamin D we get from the sun is limited. That’s because the days are shorter and colder, and, as a result, people spend less time outdoors. Even when they are outdoors, they are bundled up to beat the cold!
To get the dose of vitamin D that you lack, you could turn to food. However, there aren’t many foods that contain vitamin D – especially in quantities large enough to meet your daily requirement. Therefore, a vitamin D supplement is recommended for winter wellness.
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Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects your body from dangerous molecules linked to cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Vitamin C can also help strengthen your immune system.
Unfortunately, the human body does not create vitamin C. Therefore, people must get this vitamin through their diet – or with the help of supplements.
Vitamin C is commonly found in fresh fruits and vegetables. However, during the winter months, when comfort foods are preferred, it can be challenging to get the right amount of vitamin C through food alone. Therefore, a vitamin C supplement is recommended.
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B Vitamins
B vitamins help the cells in your body function properly. For example, B vitamins help your body convert food into energy, create new blood cells, sustain healthy skin cells, etc. Thus, B vitamins are essential for a strong immune system and for upkeeping your energy levels.
There are various B vitamins that are collectively known as vitamin B-complex. These include B1, B2, B6, B-12, etc. However, one of the most important B vitamins for maintaining your winter wellness is B-12.
Vitamin B12 helps your body convert food into energy and is vital for a healthy immune system. Therefore, during the winter months, when people are feeling less energetic and getting sick more often, B-12 is essential. It can help improve your mood and boost your energy levels!
Vitamin B-12 is primarily found in poultry, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals. For those who don’t consume these food products, B-12 supplements are available. Adding a B-12 supplement to your diet can help you beat the winter blues and ensure winter wellness.
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Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is also extremely important for proper cell functioning and immune response. Thus, an adequate intake of zinc is vital during the winter – aka cold and flu season.
You’ll find abundant amounts of zinc in shellfish, red meat, legumes (e.g. chickpeas, lentils, and beans), seeds (e.g. pumpkin, squash, and sesame seeds), dairy, and poultry. Zinc is also available as a supplement to help boost your immune system.
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Probiotics
A healthy immune system requires a healthy gut – but why? Because 70% of your immune system is in your gut!
Taking a probiotic supplement can help boost your immunity and improve your digestive health. Probiotic supplements are helpful year-round, especially in the winter when colds and the flu run rampant.
Bonus Winter Wellness Tips
In addition to getting the essential winter supplements and vitamins above, there are several
simple steps you can take to improve your winter wellness.
Here are some tips to help you enhance your physical and mental health this winter.
- Get outdoors – the winter cold keeps us inside. However, getting out in the sun (whenever possible) can help enhance your mood and mental health. Not only will the sun’s warmth feel good, but it will also supply you with much-needed vitamin D.
- Stay active – during the winter, you may be unable to do all the outdoor activities you’d normally do in the spring and summer months. Therefore, it’s important to find physical activities that you can do inside. Some fun (and active) indoor activities include swimming, rock climbing, exercise classes, etc.
- Don’t forget your veggies – rich, warm comfort foods are a winter favourite. However, many essential vitamins come from fresh fruits and veggies. So, don’t forget your greens this winter!
- Visit your local health food store – health food stores in Edmonton, like Vitality Health Foods, carry seasonal supplements and health products that can help you achieve winter wellness.
Visit Vitality Health Foods today for the best selection and lowest prices on all the winter wellness supplements you need!
