Winter Wellbeing: Helping Your Body Through the Darker Months By Osteopath, Ammie Wheatley-Hubbard
Winter has a way of changing our habits without us really noticing. Now the clocks have gone back and the evenings are drawing in, we see less daylight, spend more time indoors and often become less active. These changes can influence our sleep, energy, mood and how we feel physically.
Here are a few things worth knowing about looking after yourself through the darker months.
Make the most of daylight
Light helps regulate our body clock, which plays an important role in sleep and alertness. Reduced daylight is also linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern.
Getting outside during the middle of the day is a simple way to make the most of limited winter daylight. A ten-minute walk after lunch provides natural light, gets you moving and offers a change of scene. Keeping regular sleep and wake times can help support your body clock too.
SAD is more than the usual winter dip in mood or energy. If you think you may be experiencing SAD, particularly if it is affecting everyday life, it is worth speaking to your GP.
Movement and your immune system
Our lymphatic system is one of the body’s less talked about systems, but it plays a crucial role in immune function. Lymph travels through a network of vessels and lymph nodes, helping transport immune cells and filter unwanted substances. This network extends throughout the body, including our muscles and joint tissues.
Muscle activity and everyday movement help lymph travel through this network. Staying active will not stop you catching a winter cold, but regular movement can help support the normal functioning of this important system.
Don’t completely hibernate
If you have back, neck, joint or muscle discomfort, you may be cautious about certain movements or worry about making things worse. There is no one size fits all approach. Finding the type and amount of movement that feels right for you is what matters.
If starting a new exercise routine feels daunting, try linking a little extra movement to things you already do:
Shoulder rolls while the kettle boils
A few sit to stands before settling down to watch television
Calf raises while brushing your teeth
These small prompts make movement easier to weave into your day without it feeling like another job on the to do list.
If pain or stiffness is getting in the way of things you enjoy, we can help. As osteopaths, we look at how your body is moving and functioning, while taking time to understand what matters to you. Treatment, movement and practical advice can then be tailored to you and your goals.
A little daylight and regular movement can go a long way towards helping us through the darker months.
Ammie Wheatley-Hubbard
Osteopath
www.the-sop.com