Staying healthy through the winter months

What can we do to make sure we stay healthy through the winter months?

We hope that you are getting the time now to renew your energy and let your body rest and repair in preparation for the first signs of light and activity in February.

Winter sunrise at Querrin shore

Get outdoors

Even though the days are short, it’s still so important to get out and about in the fresh air, to visit your local park or forest, lake or coastline. Try to get out in nature, either a good brisk walk or what about a more solitary mindful experience, observing and noticing all that you see along the way. Better again, if you have a binoculars or scope, pick a local nature spot and watch for a while. Even the simplest scene can turn up some heart warming surprises for you. I experienced this on Saturday last, watching birds at Querrin. A very fiesty little ringed plover took on 2 bigger Turnstones and won out every time. I had to smile at him all puffed up, tail feathers up, giving out yards 🙂

Make time for friends

Do you have a companion that you could arrange to meet each day for a walk, run or swim or a general catch up?
Even though we have to stay apart to stay safe, we can still meet outside at a distance. There is nothing like having a good rant with a good friend to get something off your chest. If you are anything like me and my friends, we generally take it in turns in an informal way 🙂 That’s just the way life rolls. The old adage, ‘a problem share is a problem halved’ hold true eternally.

Stay warm and cosy, Eat comforting foods

We are trying to take a leaf out of the Danes book with the ‘Hygge’ lifestyle, treating ourselves to as much cosiness as possible.
The recent Irish Examiner article tells us to choose ‘Abhaile’ instead ‘From mammy’s stews to roaring open fires, it’s time to make our take on cosy global’

What does this mean? Well you could…..

• Eat lots of wholesome food. Start the day with warm porridge with your favourite fruits and seeds. Wholesome soups for lunch, and hearty stews and spicy curries with plenty of garlic and ginger for dinner. Lots of herbal teas during the day (make a little flask).
• Wear warm comfortable clothing. Get your cosy socks on when padding around the house. Throw on your favourite long cardie or dressing gown.
• Create a cosy atmosphere in your indoor spaces. Nice scented candles, low task lighting, warm blankets to snuggle under with your favourite person or pet.
• Enjoy it, it won’t be long before you’ll be craving for a quiet evening in by the fire.

Winter sunrise at Querrin shore