Top 5 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues and Take Charge of Your Health

New Year not feeling so happy for you? Is it the sub-zero temps and dark afternoons? Or maybe it’s the extra 10 pounds you picked up during holiday celebrations that has left you feeling tired all the time, lacking energy and uninspired. These are common sentiments this time of year

Fear not! Now is actually one of the best times to get your health in order. You may feel like you just want to curl up in a ball under the covers. However, a little inspiration to fight the winter blues can help get you looking and feeling your best in time to emerge from your cocoon in the spring.

Our Top 5 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues and Take Charge of Your Health are simple steps anyone can take to start on a path to health, wellness, better energy and fitness. These apply whether you are a couch potato or an accomplished athlete, a gluten free vegan or a fastfoodie.

1. Back to basics – take advantage of this slower time of year to get some sleep. We don’t mean lie in bed all day binge watching Netflix. We mean actual good quality sleep. That means a consistent bed and wake time with a solid 7-9 hours of sleep in between. Trouble falling asleep? Find out about 5 Vitamins you can’t sleep without. As you may recall, sleep is essential for energy, weight loss, focus and so much more for your body’s optimal function.

2. Fluids galore – many people carry around a water bottle all summer and ditch the whole thing during these colder months. Big mistake! We tend to be more dehydrated than ever during these months, in part because if we live in colder climates, the outdoor air is dry and the indoor heated air is even drier. Don’t skimp on the fluids and especially don’t skimp on the electrolytes since these are key to maintaining your hydration and your energy. Fluids can come in the form of nice hot cups of tea and healthful smoothies, soups and stews too. We caution you not to get too swept away in the cleanse fad, since these forms of fluids can do more harm than good (find out about our version of a New Years Cleanse).

3. Start your year of health off right with the right vitamins. You knew we wouldn’t leave this one out. As we all know finding the right combination of nutrients to meet your unique needs is essential to getting your body back in action. A Personalized Multivitamin (take our personalized vitamin quiz) is a great way to ensure that you are taking the right amounts of key nutrients based on your diet, lifestyle and health concerns (not your friend’s or neighbor’s). Remember, taking too much or the wrong supplements can also cause more harm than good. So be smart, take a medically sound vitamin regimen.

4.Time to get in shape. You knew this was coming. The benefits of exercise are manifold– added energy, fight depression, weight loss, bone health, heart health and so many more. Some of us are already good about exercise but may need to change things or step it up. Some of us are not so good about this sometimes difficult task and find the walk to the fridge our main movement. There is no time like the present to start something. Anything is better than nothing. Meet a friend to walk the mall if you must, or try a yoga class even via an online venue. There is no excuse not to move your body in this day and age. Even your phone is ripe with offerings.

5. Make moderate and sustainable goals. You heard us, don’t go too crazy. Don’t swear off junk food or commit to two hours a day at the gym if these things are not you. Rather, find a new, slightly improved you that can make small changes and stick to them. Get on track with moderate changes in your sleep, eating, exercise, vitamins and after a few months, a whole new you will emerge. But remember, we all have our good days and bad. Let’s make 2017 one with more good and less bad. If yesterday wasn’t so great, do something that makes today a little better.

We hope these have given you some simple, actionable steps on your path to better health. Getting inspired to be healthy can be hard but should not be. Sometimes you just need to commit to making the effort. There is no magic bullet, but lots of small steps add up to big improvements. You can do it!

Romy Block specializes in Endocrinology and Metabolism and is mother to three active adolescent boys. Arielle Levitan is a Doctor of Internal Medicine with a special interest in Preventive Medicine and Women’s Health.  She is a mother of three teenagers. As professional women with active family lives, they recognize that people often neglect their own health needs and are uncertain about what vitamins to take. Each person is different in her diet, exercise and health history, and will benefit from different nutrients.  After years of advising their patients about the proper vitamins to take,  Drs. Block and Levitan created Vous Vitamin® to provide people everywhere with quality vitamins that are suited to their individual needs. They are authors of the award winning The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health (She Writes Press, 2015). Take your vitamin quiz now to get exactly the right vitamins for your needs.

The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products offered by Vous Vitamin® are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Nothing contained herein is intended to be a diagnosis or constitute medical advice.  The symptoms described in this Blog may be a result of a serious medical condition which requires medical treatment.  You should consult with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this Blog and before beginning any vitamin or supplement regimen.