As winter is fast approaching the importance of health and wellbeing in winter is key as it can be difficult to know the best ways to stay on top of your health and wellbeing with the change in seasons, shorter days and colder months. In this article we worked with partners Future Fit Training, to bring you some top tips on how to recognise and maintain your mental health and wellbeing throughout this time of year.

Importance of regular exercise

Just because the seasons are changing it does not mean regular exercise is less important, it’s key to remember that any form of regular exercise is better for your health and wellbeing than none. The reason this can become more difficult in the winter months is due to shorter days and colder weather, it may be that throughout the warmer months you started running in the evenings, but this is now harder to do. One resolution for this might be to join a cardio-focused class such as indoor cycling, circuit training or functional training, this a good way to get your high-intensity workout in whilst staying warm inside a gym! Booking a class in a gym is likely to motivate you to attend due to the accountability you would have from booking, if you are relying on yourself to just go to the gym in the evening, it’s easier to avoid this than a class.

Exercise can quickly become a key factor in your health and wellbeing, physical activity has been shown to have a direct impact on reducing fatigue, enhancing job satisfaction, improving optimism, self-esteem and stress management. Even if you get a 20-minute brisk walk in each day, just to get some fresh air and get your body moving, it is likely you will notice a boost in your mood.

Importance of nutritious foods

Nutrition and diet will have a direct impact on your overall health and wellbeing throughout the winter months. Eating nutritious foods and maintaining a healthy diet will provide your body with the energy to stay active, and nutrients for growth and repair whilst also preventing diet-related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. It’s important you consider the right balance of foods and nutrients to help keep a strong immune system and maintain a healthy weight.

In order to maintain a balanced diet, you should ensure you are including a good amount of protein, and healthy fats as well as fruit and vegetables. These will provide the key nutrients we need to promote an anti-inflammatory and immune-supportive diet. A good way to learn more about foods may be to study a nutrition course, this will help you understand what is in the foods you are eating and how this has a direct impact on your overall health and wellbeing.

How to stay motivated

It is one thing to discuss how exercise and nutrition are important to your overall health and wellbeing, but sometimes these are points you already know and it’s the motivational side of things you may be struggling with. Below we have covered some key takeaways you can use to help motivate you in areas of both exercise and nutrition. 

Exercise motivation

Personal Training

One way in which you can remain motivated for exercise and physical activity is through personal training. Since a Personal Trainer is qualified in a Level 3 personal training qualification, they will understand the fundamentals of helping clients become motivated, encourage behaviour change and help clients reach their fitness goals. 

As well as the knowledge and skillset they have to help make a difference when you hire a personal trainer you would be paying for their service. Naturally, as you invest and book in something like this you are always going to turn up which helps keep you on track throughout winter despite the cold weather!

Create a routine

Creating a routine can be a great way to stay motivated and on track, with your fitness goals as well as maintain your health and wellbeing during winter. Naturally, when your body becomes accustomed to a routine you are less likely to avoid or make excuses for getting your daily physical activity in. According to HealthLine, it can take an average of 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic. 

Nutrition Motivation

Nutrition coach

If you struggle to know where to start when it comes to eating to improve your health and wellbeing during winter, a nutrition coach might be the best option. As nutrition coaches, they will have studied a nutrition course which will provide the skillset and knowledge to understand the nutrients in food and how this influences the immune system, energy levels and life satisfaction. As your coach, they will provide you with education in food whilst also influencing food habits and mapping out meal plans for your body’s needs. You can find nutrition coaches through online directories or social media to understand more about their service.

Weekly meal planning

Another way you can start making a difference in your nutrition throughout winter is by researching foods which improve energy, mood and immune system then start meal planning for the week. By meal planning for the week it will be easier to stay on track whilst making a long-term difference in your behaviour with food. 

Header photo by Julia Larson