Your Path to Wellness: Building Healthy Habits for Every Season

Every season brings with it weather conditions that challenge your mind and body. That means you must adapt to the different weather patterns by changing your habits as the Earth moves around the sun. Creating healthy habits to meet the shifts in the weather allows you to be comfortable, feel good, and not worry about your skin and body.

The changing of the seasons tends to affect some people more than others, especially when dealing with a chronic condition. Here’s a look at some seasonal habits to include in your routines so you can live your best life.

Spring

Spring is the moment that the world starts to awaken and stretch after a long winter’s nap. There’s more sunlight during the day, the weather is warmer, and Mother Nature is making herself known. This is the time to take advantage of the pleasures of the season for both your physical and mental health, and build habits that boost your sense of wellbeing. Some of the habits you can incorporate include:

• Take steps to prevent pollen and mold from affecting your respiratory system
• Go for a walk as frequently as possible
• Take your dog for a run to enjoy the fresh air and keep both of you active and happy
• Evaluate your diet and make changes
• Schedule your annual checkup
• Eat fresh foods for maximum nutrition

These and other healthy habits prepare you for the summer activities that are to come. Your body is in good shape and ready to adapt to the hot summer weather when it arrives.

Summer

Summer is about enjoying warm weather, outdoor activities, and summer vacations. It’s also the time of year when the sun is at its strongest, and your skin is at the highest risk of UV damage. You’re also at your most active during the summer, something that affects your body in various ways. In turn, your daily habits become very important when it comes to protecting your mind and body from the intensity of the weather and your activities.

• Apply high SPF sunscreen on the exposed parts of your body
• Add electrolytes to your water for maintenance and recovery
• Wear clothes that have SPF protection for outdoor activities
• Take frequent breaks when working or playing

Also, make sure to get into beneficial habits. They can include:

• Regular exercise outdoors
• Buying local produce for quality nutrition
• Getting away from your screens
• Join a club or league
• Head to the beach

Make sure to wear the right kinds of clothing when you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. Look for tops that are made from breathable materials and let air flow through. These properties help you stay comfortable by wicking away moisture and helping you stay dry. The same goes for shorts and leggings because they’ll prevent chafing, letting you stay active for longer and free from discomfort.

The overarching goal of summer activities is to get out of your home and engage with the world at large. Protecting your body and doing outdoor activities helps you enjoy the long, hot days of summer. In turn, you’ll feel like you got something out of the seemingly short season and be ready to unwind when fall weather comes through.

Fall

Fall ushers in shorter days and cooler weather that limit your physical activity. The most obvious solution is to head into the gym for the next few months, but you also need to consider other aspects of your health. The loss of sunlight tends to make you less active and deprives you of vitamin D, while the cooler weather signals the arrival of flu season. It’s time to get into a new set of habits to keep yourself healthy.

• Add a vitamin D pill to your supplements
• Get a flu shot and boosters to avoid contracting seasonal illnesses
• Wash your hands frequently to get rid of bacteria and viruses
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Wear more layers to keep your core body temperature stable
• Maintain a regular schedule of activities outside of work

One of the effects on your mental health is seasonal affective disorder, but not everyone experiences it. If you find yourself feeling blue with the loss of daylight, get a lamp or light bulb that provides full-spectrum light and make it a point to spend time next to it every day. The light receptors in your brain respond to the stimulation and help improve your mood.

The end of fall brings the arrival of winter, a season that can be as harsh as it can be beautiful. Your fall habits help you prepare for the challenges that come with cold and dry weather.

Winter

Winter is arguably the roughest season in terms of its effects on the body. The constant cold makes it feel like you’ll never be warm again, and the winds can make your face and hands hurt. These and other harsh conditions cause you to spend more time indoors in order to stay comfortable. But it’s still good to get into habits that help you make the most out of the winter wonderland and keep yourself stimulated.

• Protect your face with moisturizers
• Go out for a brief walk when the weather is moderate
• Minimize the time you spend outdoors
• Wear warm clothes, a scarf, gloves, and a hat
• Reduce holiday stress
• Eat nutritious foods to power your body

Winter is hard on people with chronic conditions that affect their circulatory system. For example, a chronic condition like lymphedema results in poor blood circulation in the limbs. This makes it harder to stay warm and can also lead to other health issues. However, proper management of the swelling will help improve circulation and make it easier to stay warm with the right garments.

Perhaps the best part about winter is that it leads to spring and warmer weather. You can look forward to wearing lighter garments, there’s more daylight for activities, and the gentle breezes make you feel good about the months to come.

Combining Seasonal Habits With Ones You Should Do Year-Round

Changes in the weather bring changes in your habits, but some habits need to be done year-round in order to protect yourself. Always drink as much water as you can, but adjust your intake to stay ahead of dehydration in hot or cold weather. Sunscreen is another good habit, and you can adjust the SPF level for seasons that tend to be cloudy. Last, but not least, make it a point to get enough sleep by sticking to a regular sleep schedule.

It doesn’t take a lot of work to get into seasonal habits, and it’s only a little more effort to combine them with your existing daily habits. They help you maintain your wellness and lift your mood because you’ve taken steps to protect yourself against the environment.