2020 has been an extremely difficult year for many, and on top of that, the seasons are changing, which can affect your physical and mental health. You can’t forget to take care of yourself! The winter season officially began on December 21st, bringing shorter days and colder weather, so it’s imperative to stay healthy and reduce your chances of getting sick.
- Be Cautious When Traveling at Airports
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Although visiting family and friends is important for many people, reducing contact with people can save countless lives since the COVID-19 pandemic is still present in America. Crowded airports and planes can greatly increase the risk of spreading germs and viruses to others. Surfaces like ID scanners or bins in the security line pose a much lower threat than germy fellow passengers, but the danger quickly increases when many people are touching the same surfaces. With so many people crowding airports, you’ll want to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and good hygiene in check-in and boarding lines.
- Keep Exercising
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The winter months can be a challenging time to stick to your exercise routine. Not only can preparing for the holidays leave you feeling drained, but the cold weather can also be a deterrent to getting outside for some exercise. However, getting up and forcing yourself to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day can help improve your everyday way of living. Though visiting a gym isn’t the safest place to exercise, there are other options to stay in shape. YouTube has countless videos of different varieties where you can exercise at home.
- Take Care of Your Skin
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Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving you with dryness, flaking or cracking. To keep your skin moisturized and healthy through the winter, be sure to drink plenty of water, hydrate your skin with an ointment moisturizer, and use sunscreen whenever you’re out during the day. Exposure to the sun’s rays, even in the winter, can still have damaging effects on your skin, so be sure to choose a sunscreen that has an SPF factor of 30 or above to ensure adequate protection.
- Wash Your Hands
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Winter is the peak season for illnesses. In addition to COVID-19, we still need to take precautions to protect against cold and flu. The most effective way to remove and prevent the spread of illness-causing germs is to wash your hands consistently. When washing your hands, remember to get a good lather of soap on your hands and scrub for at least 20 seconds with warm water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer to help slow the spread of viruses.
Winter break can be a difficult time to practice healthy habits, however, taking these small steps can keep you safe and healthy during these tough times.