Tips For Feeling Well During The Winter Months

Is this winter, or an early spring, or winter?!  New Year’s Day was almost 60 degrees.  While that seemed like a fluke, each week since then has been back and forth between a few frigid days and then warm sunshine.  Even the plants are confused, some showing buds on their stems.  Regardless of the swings in temperatures, we are still in winter and that offers some possibilities for your health. 

During the remaining winter days ahead, catch up on some valuable sleep.  This winter may feel like a gift after last year’s constant snow and cold.  The question to ask yourself is will you feel rested and ready for the activity the spring season will bring?  On these 50+ degree “winter” days, it feels like we should take advantage of the good weather.  But what if the winter stays this moderate?  You can still get outside and enjoy the breaks of warmer days while replenishing your reserves.

Getting the right amount of sleep (an average of 7-9 hours for adults) can help support your immune system, key during the winter months of flu season.  But adequate sleep is also showing a correlation with overall mortality.  M.D. Anderson’s Cancer Center in Houston has been studying the effects of sleep on the immune system.  Our immune system is an intricate set of cells and proteins that work to fight off disease.  Just like the delicate balance of our natural environment, any “hit” to this system means there is less ability to fight colds, flu and other diseases.   Diwakar Balachandran, MD, is director of the MD Anderson’s Sleep Center and says, “The more all-nighters you pull, the more likely you are to decrease your body’s ability to respond to colds or bacterial infections.”1 And with that, less ability for the body to withstand other diseases.

Another way to bolster your sleep “bank account” is naps.  Set aside some time mid-afternoon to stretch out for 10-30 minutes (any longer than that and you might feel groggy afterwards).  Usually sometime after 2pm-3pm is a good time to nap since the body has a natural dip in energy, but it’s also early enough in the day as to not affect your nighttime sleep.  Make sure you have a quiet, comfortable place with no distractions.  Not sure you are a napper?  Give it a try and see what you notice!

Balance the respite we are having so far from a tough Northeast winter with some extra sleep.  This is nature’s time of hibernation, so make it yours too…it will likely serve your overall health.

Karen Giles


1  http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/immune-system-lack-of-sleep