Ten Tips for How to Have a Happy and Healthy Winter

Want to avoid the dreaded logy this winter? Here are 10 ways to stay happy and healthy this season.

1. Eat smart. It's natural to reach for comfort foods when the days get shorter and darker, and a little indulgence won't do you any harm. Do try to keep the balance right, though, and eat well. Help to strengthen your immune system from ever present infections by enjoying your usual healthy diet, plus extra added vitamin C foods like capsicums, Kiwis and citrus fruits. Also include highly colored fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin A like watermelon, carrot and sweet potato, zinc-rich foods like wholegrain, dark green leafy vegetables fish and shellfish, seeds and unsalted nuts plus cold-pressed oils like virgin olive which are good sources of vitamin E. Your diet alone may not supply all the nutrients you need all the time. So, if you are feeling a little low, think about taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement or an extra supplement of vitamin C, zinc and vitamin B complex.

2. Fight colds and flu. For most of us, it's difficult to avoid the sniffles completely; catching a cold is your body's way of saying your immune system needs a bit of a boost and this is more or less normal for most of us in winter. At particular risk are those who are already ill, asthmatics, the elderly, and those who are taking certain medications. These groups should consider having a flu vaccination as soon as possible, to give the body enough time to develop antibodies before the flu season really kicks in.

3. Go to bed. You know that if you sleep well you feel well; sleep quality is linked to your immune system, so if you sleep well and are well rested, you have a better chance of fighting off and recovering from infections.

To help get the best of sleep, try to stick to a routine - go to bed at around the same time every night, have a relaxing bath, or read a best seller, reading not only relaxes you and helps to take your mind off things, it can help you to get a good night's sleep, too. Drinking a cup of cocoa at bedtime may help you sleep peacefully. Some people sleep better by adding a few drops of lavender, chamomile or jasmine oil onto their pillow.

4. Stub it out. If you haven't done it already, now is the ideal time to quit smoking. Not only does it smell nasty, smoking weakens your immune system and damages your respiratory system, making it harder for you to breathe and conditions like asthma worse. Cigarette smoke affects your blood vessels, including those in your mouth, harming both teeth and gums; severe gum disease has even been linked with heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

Smoking also affects the look of your skin - because it damages circulation, a smoker's skin can look dull and grey. For help on quitting in your area, speak with your doctor.

5. Don't be SAD - get out and about! When sunlight is scarce, you may be one of the many to experience the winter blues. The official name for the clinical condition is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If your doctor diagnoses SAD, it is all the more important to get out and about when you can to soak up the winter sun even when it is cloudy. Get moving - physical exercise increases the amount of mood elevating endorphins in the brain, combating low mood and stress.

6. Get plenty to drink. Not too much of the alcoholic kind, though. As well as water, try fruit and herbal teas, fresh fruit and vegetable pulps. Tea, coffee and colas are tempting; perhaps partly because of the caffeine they contain which gives you a wake up jolt. But, they can also be dehydrating, so drink plenty of water in between. Green tea is a great option; research shows that it has high levels of anti-oxidants which can help protect the body from diseases and even ageing.

7. Keep fit to fight infection. Keeping fit isn't just about looking good on the outside, exercising regularly is vital if you want to boost your body's ability to fight infections, boost circulation and enhance your lymphatic system. Getting fit will help you look and feel better. Aim for around 30 minutes about five times a week if you can. Mix it up to get the most out of exercise. Try some weight bearing exercise and resistance activities to ensure you are using all your muscle groups and to help prevent problems like osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones, and to improve fitness and flexibility.

8. Start a health and beauty plan. Summer is traditionally the time for special care with your skin, but winter is the ideal time to look ahead and get in the greatest condition possible for the summer. Remember to moisturize regularly. The winter can be troublesome for some people with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, so keeping up the moisturizing regime is a must.

Make a luscious face mask with natural yoghurt plus grated cucumber (squeeze out excess liquid). Exfoliate in the shower with olive oil mixed with sea salt and a few drops of rose oil. Deep condition your hair by massaging with coconut oil, and then wrap your hair in cling film for half an hour, before washing thoroughly and rinsing.

To hydrate your skin throughout the day, fill up a travel-size bottle with moisturizer and keep it with you. And even in winter, always use a moisturizer with a high protection sunscreen.

9. Think clever colors. Winter colors tend to be darker and heavier than traditional summer or spring colors. Use airy pastel colored crockery and bed linen to lighten up your home - or wrap up in a bright and funky coat with matching scarf and hat.

10. Find time for yourself. Our hectic lifestyles can wreak havoc, causing stress, which in the long-term can really damage health. Try to find some time to relax and unwind and discover what inspires you, motivates you and satisfies your soul. Think about areas in your life that you want to blossom, and others that you want to change or improve. Meditation and yoga are great ways to de-stress and reconnect. Whether you attend a class in your area or watch a DVD and learn the techniques at home, now is the ideal time to connect with your spiritual self.