Tag: Winter

Health

Beating the Winter Blues: Tips to Stay Active and Fit in Cold Weather

Jan 16, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Active, #Cold Weather, #Nikhil Kumar, #Stay Active, #Winter

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By – Nikhil Kumar, a fitness enthusiast

As the winter chill settles in, the temptation to stay bundled up in a cosy blanket can often overshadow our motivation to stay active. However, maintaining a regular exercise routine during the colder months is crucial for physical and mental well-being. Here are seven practical tips to help you beat the winter lethargy and stay committed to your fitness goals:

Exercise during your lunch break

Incorporating a workout into your lunch break may seem challenging, but it can work wonders for your energy levels and focus. A brisk walk, stretching exercises, or a quick meditation session can enhance mental clarity, physical strength, and flexibility. It’s a refreshing way to break up the workday and stay motivated.

Keep your body warm

Cold weather can lead to stiffness, making it difficult to exercise. Layering your clothing when working out outdoors is an effective way to stay warm. Alternatively, consider indoor exercises to avoid exposure to the cold. Finding the right balance in clothing is essential; stay warm but avoid overdressing to prevent discomfort.

Drink plenty of water

Hydration is key, even in winter. Sweating, breathing dry air, and increased urine production can contribute to dehydration. Maintaining proper hydration levels is essential for blood circulation, skin health, and overall well-being. Watch out for common symptoms of dehydration, such as dry skin, fatigue, and headaches.

Try walking and running

Embrace the simplicity and benefits of walking and running, especially in cold weather. These outdoor exercises contribute to cardiovascular health and burn more calories than their warm-weather counterparts. The chilly air can enhance focus and reduce stress, making it easier to shed those extra kilos.

Stretch before exercising

Skipping the warm-up can increase the risk of injuries. Warming up improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles, and enhances performance. These benefits minimise the risk of exercise-related injuries by reducing muscle strain and soreness.

A partner can help

Stay motivated by finding an exercise companion, whether it’s a friend, neighbour, or workout buddy. Having a motivated partner can keep you accountable and make your workouts more enjoyable.

Join an online class

If outdoor exercise isn’t your preference, consider joining an online fitness class. Whether instructor-led or pre-recorded, online classes offer convenience and flexibility. They can be an excellent way to stay motivated, maintain your fitness routine, and achieve your health goals from the comfort of your home.

By incorporating these tips into your winter fitness routine, you can overcome the seasonal challenges and ensure that your well-being remains a top priority. Stay active, stay warm, and stay healthy!

Health

A Sharp Rise in Arthritis Cases have been observed During Winter: informs Doctor

Dec 16, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Apollo Spectra Pune, #Arthritis, #Doctor, #Dr. Ashish Suryavanshi, #Dr. Vishwajeet Chavan, #muscle spasms, #Winter

Winter weather can be especially harsh on those who suffer from arthritis. The bone-chilling cold during winter can flare up arthritis leading to pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness of the joints. Thus, a majority of patients will feel uncomfortable as arthritis impacts their quality of life. Keep those achy joints warm by dressing appropriately, opt for physical activity to enhance strength and flexibility, boost energy and ease the pain. Get enough vitamin D as being deficient in it can lead to joint pain. Skip sugary foods that cause inflammation in the body.

Just like other allergies and infections, even arthritis can flare up during winter. Arthritis means the inflammation of the joints. “Winter can lead to a surge in cases arthritis. A significant fall in the barometric pressure, which often occurs as cold approaches, causing joints to expand and become painful. Low temps may also increase the thickness of the synovial fluid that acts as the joint’s shock absorber, making joints stiffer and sensitive to pain. So, when pressure lowers, tissues swell, building tension between joints, and causing pain.

Dr. Vishwajeet Chavan, Orthopedic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Pune Said, “About 70 patients with arthritis visit the outpatient department every month. However, since the onset of the cold, the number of patients has increased, and now 85 to 90 patients are complaining of joint pain in the age group of 55 to 80. Women are more prone to joint pain in winter than men. Hence, joint pain is 5% higher in women than in men. Hot water compression can be opted for to stay warm during the colder days and manage arthritis.

Cover your hands, knees, legs, and all arthritis-prone areas by dressing in layers. Stay hydrated as dehydration can make you more sensitive to pain. Don’t forget to exercise indoors to improve the symptoms like joint stiffness and muscle weakness, and also take warm showers. Eat omega-3 fatty acids to lower inflammation in the joints. Add avocado, flaxseeds, walnuts, and fish to the diet. Stress triggers arthritis pain, do yoga and meditation. Low levels of vitamin D might lead to arthritis pain. Take vitamin D supplement after consulting the doctor. Avoid heavily processed, sugary and fried foods, alcohol, and colas that trigger joint pain.”

Dr. Ashish Suryavanshi, Orthopedic, Lokmanya Hospital Pune Said, I am seeing 5-6 patients on daily basis with complaints of arthritis. Rise in 25% cases compared to last year. The woman above 50 years are largely seen compared to man.”

There are more muscle spasms in colder temperatures leading to joint pain. The cold climate reduces the blood circulation to the fingers and toes, which also causes arthritis pain. Less sunlight during winters can lead to lower vitamin D levels and weakened joints. Thus, many rheumatoid arthritis patients find it harder to control symptoms during chilly days.” added Dr Suryavanshi

Health

Aromatherapy for well being in Winter

Nov 25, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Anger bursts, #Aromatherapy, #Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies, #Clear thoughts, #Dr. Blossom Kochhar, #Feeling weepy, #Nervous and anxious energy, #Seasonal cold and flu, #Winter

By: Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Founder & Chairperson of the Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies

I love winters, the chill in the air, thick scarves, woolly hats, knitted socks, hot chocolate and cream, warm apple juice, Christmas, jolly music, vibrant decorations, and cosy time with loved ones, oh! I just love everything about winters.

But, the gloom that accompanies this season is a bit overwhelming too, especially when the festivities are over. It gets dull without any sun as your biological clock is disrupted due to shorter days. There are times when I just want to cocoon in my bed with a hot cup of coffee away from the crowd and I just do not feel like getting out of my bed, but when I do, my mood just resembles a landscape- cold and melancholic.

The winter doldrums or the winter blues, as I may call it is something everyone goes through. The sadness, depression and loss of energy may make you feel low but just be gentle with yourself and remember my magical essential oil blends will help you a great deal this time around too.

I swear by citrus oils such as orange and lemon as they lift my mood and cheer me up. Also, jasmine and ylang just put me in the right mood. Whenever I feel flat and bland, I just run a bath with a few (3-4) drops of jasmine in a bucket of water and pour it all over me.

One fine evening, I came back home all fagged out, I was feeling not so great, the winter blues had hit me hard and I had to go out for a party that evening. I had to combat my blues, so I went straight to my bathroom and saw a tube of coffee bean scrub. I put it in a bowl, add a teaspoon of coffee powder in it, mixed it, scrubbed my body with it and took a shower afterwards. Believe you me, it was the most exhilarating experience of my life and I felt as if I was having a hot cup of coffee. When I came out of the shower, I was all energized, ready to take on the evening and had a gala time at the party.

Here are some blends I am dolling out for all you lovely people to help you do away with low spirits during this time around.

Nervous and anxious energy:

2 drops of Geranium.

2 drops of Lavender.

3 drops of Bergamot.

Use this concoction as body massage, in your diffuser or in your bathwater.

Feeling weepy:                                                            

Use jasmine and rose essential on a daily basis.

Or

Put 1-2 drops of Neroli oil on a cotton bud or tissue paper and place it anywhere near you. You can also use it in a diffuser, just put 4-6 drops in it to help you remove the mental block and improve concentration.

Anger bursts:

Use Neroli oil to help calm anger situations.

Disinterest:

Use ylang ylang and lemongrass oil to pep you up.

Clear thoughts:

Take a bowl of water and put less than a drop of basil in it. Alternatively, you can also put one-tenth of a drop of this oil behind your ear and feel the fragrance giving you a relaxing effect.

Seasonal cold and flu:

Put a few drops of lemon and eucalyptus essential oil in a diffuser and keep the seasonal cold and flu at bay.

Help bring back the la vie en rose with these blends and revive your zest this winter.