Let’s face it, those niggles and aches aren’t going anywhere, and it seems to feel even worse during winter. Get through each season like a total boss with these simple tips to implement into your daily routine.
Exercising during cold weather can seem like an impossible task when all you really want to do is snuggle up and keep warm. But when your joints are inactive, they can become stiff and painful, making winter the prime time for joint pains.
A few important pointers to keep in mind when you’re struggling with this level of pain include:
- Applying a heating pad to painful areas of the body to relax your muscles and relieve tension. However, this method may not be suitable for diabetics.
- Try to stretch before you leave home to help loosen stiff joints.
- Sticking to a healthy diet with occasional snacking. It might be tempting to indulge in your favourite treats, but excess weight gain can affect your knees and joints.
- Dressing according to the weather. Keep a pair of gloves handy to keep your fingers nice and toasty.
- Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water. Despite the weather being chilly, try drinking enough water or have a cup of warm tea.
- Light to moderate massages can help to reduce pain and inflammation and increase blood flow. Those who have arthritis should first consult their healthcare professional before self-massaging or getting a professional massage.
- Using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus or, rosemary oil can also help to soothe the body, relax the tension and promote calmness. Make sure that you don’t have an allergy to the oil by testing it on a small part of your skin first.
- Consume enough Vitamin D to make up for the fewer hours of sun during winter. Foods that are also rich in Vitamin D include oily fish such as sardines or salmon, egg yolks, some mushrooms, and beef liver.
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