Winters can get dingy, with shorter days and frosty weather. The dry and frigid climate instigates a plethora of health issues like cold, cough pneumonia, and acute bronchitis, strep throat, croup, and stomach flu. You may not have observed but certain behavioural changes and mood swings are triggered during the cold season. Most of the time we fail to acclimatise to the weather and become lazier to beat the winter chills, which, of course, is not the correct option. In addition to being indolent and blanket hideouts, the season also brings with it an array of bad habits and some very common health mistakes that have to be avoided in order to stay healthy and fit. Healthy Winter Fruits: Build Stronger Immunity This Winter Season With These Fruits.

Here are 5 of the habitual cold weather fails you should avoid this season:

1. Ditching Exercise 

Zero physical activity lowers your immune system. However, it is advised to strictly follow the workout regime or carry out other forms of physical activities up.  Basic activities like walking, cycling, jogging and light workouts release happy hormones and will keep you active and energetic throughout the day.

2. Avoid Long Hot Showers 

If a hot shower is what your body craves during the frosty mornings, you’re not alone. A hot steamy bath might feel like heaven during the winter months but it could leave your skin hanging out to dry and scaly. Experts suggest that using gentle soaps and thick moisturizers can help protect against skin inflammation and eczema flare-ups.

3. Oversleeping Can Be Dangerous 

Oversleeping, more than 9-10 hours in a row, may be associated with significant medical problems like cardiovascular disease, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, depression, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The cozy and comfortable weather can make you feel lethargic, but those extra 5 minutes will make you pay for your health. So bears are only allowed to hibernate in the wintertime, not humans.

4. Craving Comfort Food 

Do you overeat in winters? With the drop in mercury, our body has to fight harder to keep itself warm. And so it requires more calories to produce energy. According to several theories, colder temperatures and less daylight may make you feel hungrier and eat more than your usual diet.  Cheesy pastas, potato fries, creamy meat, and sweets, and hot chocolate desserts elevate your mood but this indulgence increases your blood sugar level in the body, and then your body struggles with the stress to handle the excess glucose. So, it's better to stick with nutritious warm soups and stews.

5. Being Over-Clothed 

It is a good idea to keep yourself warm in winter with all your cardigans, pullovers, and sweaters, but avoid wearing excessive clothing. Actually, when you feel cold, then your immune system produces white blood cells (WBCs), which act as a shield against infections and winter diseases. But when the body is overheated with woollen sweaters and mufflers, the immune system is unable to function. So, the aim should be to keep muscles warm and retain the moisture levels in the skin in a balanced way.

Keep in my mind that precaution is better than cure! Happy Winters, Healthy Winters!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 15, 2021 05:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).