The festive season is nearly upon us, and with it comes temptation and over-indulgence. Many will even take a Winter break from exercising. As this time of year isn’t always so kind to our waistlines, keeping a healthy diet and having an exercise regime is essential. Here’s our top tips for looking after yourself in the Winter.
Water is one of the best ways to improve weight loss, promote healthy skin and relieve fatigue. It also maximises physical performance, prevents headaches, helps digestion, improves your mood and flushes out toxins. To stay hydrated, it’s recommended that you drink 2 litres of H2O every day. If you don’t like water on its own, why not add some lime or lemon to it for a zesty twist. We even have a handy danceSing water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
As the Winter days get shorter and there’s a lack of natural light, it’s easy to feel tired and sluggish. Getting enough sleep is vital when it comes to fighting that dreaded Winter tiredness. Why not treat yourself to a silk eye mask, cosy pj’s and some ear plugs so that you can recharge your body properly. To live a healthier and happier life, attempt to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
‘Tis the season to eat our body weight in food! As we all tend to eat more during Winter months, having control over your food intake is more important than any other time of year. You should control your portion sizes and only eat until you’re comfortably full. As it takes 20 minutes for the mind to register that you’re full, it’s important to eat food slowly so that your mind can recognise when to stop eating. A healthy diet is about being balanced, so don’t completely deprive yourself of the finer things in life. It’s okay to treat yourself and you shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying chocolate or a glass of wine every now and again.
The struggle is real when you have to pull yourself from the pile of covers on your bed when you’re cosy and the house is cold. However , you don’t need to run a marathon to get moving. Simply add a few simple exercises to your everyday routine like go for a walk, put the radio on and have a dance, or download our Stretch and Strength Pilates Video and follow the guided workout in the comfort of your own home. You can also stay active by taking the stairs instead of the lift or getting off the bus a stop earlier so that you have longer to walk. Coming along to one of our fun danceSing classes will motivate you to keep fit. As you can book your place with us for the term, you will be less inclined to put off exercise classes and will be more likely stick to your workout schedule.
Swap your morning coffee or tea with green tea; also known as the miracle drink. As it’s loaded with antioxidants, a cup of green tea every day can work wonders for your physical and mental health. Green tea also boosts your metabolism which helps to burn fat. Green tea has many other benefits such as improving your mood, maintaining healthy skin, improving your dental health and improving your mental performance. It really is a miracle in a mug.
At danceSing, we know that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. Fight the winter blues by practicing relaxation techniques. Calming the mind can help you alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. It can also increase your memory, concentration and problem solving skills. Why not practice deep breathing by attending our Strength and Stretch Pilates based exercise class? As well as all the physical health benefits, there is an increased focus on breathing and mindfulness to keep you feeling calm and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you.
Many of these are easy to implement into your daily life. By taking care of your body and mind during Winter, it will be easier to stay healthy and positive during the long, cold days.
We are returning for our Winter term on 22nd October, and would love to welcome you to a class.
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