It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amounts of delicious fruits and vegetables a successful #garden can produce or the variety and bounty of the local farmers market. Many #summer #vegetables can go directly on the grill, says Delish, including zucchini, eggplant, green beans, onions and corn. Many popular crops don’t even require heat to create a fresh and healthy meal: Tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce, for example, can be dressed lightly to create a simple salad. Or just rinse that tomato, slice it, and eat it with a little salt and pepper. Store-bought just doesn’t taste the same! #SummerGarden
Tag: diet and exercise
Take Your Winter Workouts Outside
Going to a health club or gym may not be your first choice to stay active as the #omicron variant is pushed #COVID-19 infections to record levels. Walking, running and cycling can be good, socially distanced wintertime alternatives, the Cleveland Clinic says, as long as you dress for the #weather. Invest in a good pair of shoes — waterproof, if necessary — and remember to incorporate stretching exercises into your workout since muscles constrict in the cold. Traditional cold-weather activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country and downhill skiing, are great options, too; vary your routine and you won’t get bored. #StayActive
Trick Yourself Into Getting Active
It’s difficult to start an outdoor exercise plan in the new year, exercise psychologist Jack Raglin told Today; the weather and lack of daylight often provide good excuses to stay sedentary. “People have been overindulging, they feel guilty, they feel like they have to do it, and they’re starting at a time when the environment is kind of conspiring against them,” he says. Luckily, there are ways to trick yourself into getting active: Get an exercise partner, even if you exercise on Zoom sessions; make your first goal just to get to the gym; or put your exercise clothes on before bed for the early-morning workout. #StayActive
Getting Active as the Temperatures Drop
The dead of winter has arrived in many parts of the country, with frigid temperatures and ample amounts of snow. While it’s tempting just to curl up under the covers in an effort to stay warm, it’s more heart-healthy to keep up your exercise regimen throughout the year. Find an activity that’s fun to do outside and dress in layers, Heart & Stroke says. Take advantage of the daylight hours to keep seasonal affective disorder at bay. And remember to stay hydrated even when you aren’t actively sweating or thirsty — cold air is often dryer than you think. #StayActive
Coping With Cabin Fever
Cabin fever is a natural side effect of winter. Cold temperatures, dark nights and snowstorms conspire to keep people indoors — and you can do only so much binge-watching before you start to get that unnerving, antsy feeling of being all cooped up.
This year, cabin fever is likely going to be more widespread and severe due to #COVID-19. Options for typical indoor pastimes such as a dinner out, a session at the gym or a concert are severely restricted or prohibited.
Cabin fever is more than boredom, however. “Cabin fever is a series of negative emotions and distressing sensations people face if they’re isolated or feeling cut off from the world,” says Healthline. “Cabin fever can lead to a series of symptoms that can be difficult to manage without proper coping techniques.”
Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, hopelessness, sleep disruptions, lethargy, and anxiety or depression. You will need strategies to keep cabin fever’s effects at bay when you’ve already done every jigsaw puzzle and streamed every Netflix show.
Maintain a schedule even though you’re more or less limited to the confines of your home. Include time for a variety of activities including exercise and outdoor time (bundle up if you must), and you’ll be a step ahead of the winter doldrums.
Keep your social life active at a distance by connecting with friends and family on Zoom, FaceTime or one of the other available platforms. Most people are in the same situation, so even if you feel like there’s nothing new to share, ask them how they’re coping.
We at ClothingDonations.org suggest you take advantage of the extra indoor time to #declutter. #Cleaning out a closet or cupboard and getting rid of the stuff you don’t need will not only give you a sense of accomplishment, but also help you feel more contented within your space.
People who develop severe eating disorders, sleep problems, anxiety and depression, of course, should seek professional help. But those of us who are just sick of being “stuck inside” can shake things up in little ways and make it through the winter — hopefully the last in which the #coronavirus is a major factor.