Winter Wellness Routine

“This post is sponsored by Nature’s Way. As always, all opinions are my own.”

Winters in Houston are unpredictable. One day I’m enjoying the most perfect 75 degree weather outside with my family and the next, our city practically shuts down because temps dropped 40 degrees overnight. I admit it.  Houstonians aren’t equipped to handle the cold. However, our cold isn’t normal. It’s the bone-chilling, skin-stinging kind, and it downright hurts. Luckily, I’ve learned that by modifying my self-care practices to a winter wellness routine, I’ve been able to support my overall health and active lifestyle as a busy mom. Today, I’m sharing 7 things I do as part of my healthy winter wellness routine and would love to hear if you have any to share!

STAY HYDRATED 

True story – I have to set a timer to remind myself to drink water throughout the day.  I blame some of it on laziness, but a majority of the time, I just forget.  Running around with 2 kids will do that to you. I always start my morning with a glass of warm water and lemon.  Sometimes, I’ll add some apple cider vinegar and honey for the full detox effect.

It’s especially important to stay hydrated during these cold months when things tend to “dry” up. As a rule of thumb, drink half your body weight in ounces, and don’t be afraid to get creative! Opt for warm drinks, yummy broths, or make your own infused water.

Also, don’t forget about hydrating your skin! Slather on that lotion to protect your skin from the harsh weather and use SPF whenever possible.

EAT WELL

One of the things I love most is making homemade soup during the winter!  When cooking, I try to incorporate dark green vegetables, healthy proteins, and my favorite seasonings for a hearty meal.  It’s warm and comforting and just good for the soul. Eat local if possible and use this time to grab seasonal fruits and vegetables to help boost your immunity.

TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS

Winter season can get hectic with the weather, school breaks, traveling, and holiday parties so I count on the right supplements to provide added nutrients and vitamins to keep my immune system running 100%. I recently added Nature’s Way Organic Sambucus Zinc Lozenges to my winter wellness routine and love how it’s helped support my overall health. That’s because their entire line is derived from elderberries, a dark berry rich in flavonoids made to keep your immune system strong.*

They come in a ton of forms and flavors and lately, I’ve been loving these on-the-go packets. With my busy lifestyle, it’s perfect to toss in my bag and go! Each lozenge is certified organic, free of preservatives, flavors or colors, and provides 12.5 mg of Black Elderberry Extract, plus 5 mg of Zinc and 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C (60 mg).

I’ve enjoyed this line so much that I got the girls the Sambucus Gummies for Kids.  Yes – they have an entire kid’s line too!  Matea takes 1 a day and Marli gets 2, but if they had their way, they would probably gobble them all up in one sitting.  That’s how you know it’s a good product – when your kids love it as much as you.

WASH YOUR HANDS

If I had a dollar for every time I asked my girls to wash their hands, I’d be rich by now.  I’m sure they think I’m OCD, but with cold and flu season in full effect, I’d rather be safe than sorry. I always carry hand sanitizer for when we can’t wash our hands and load up on sanitizer wipes to wipe down counters, tables, and basically anything the girls and I come in contact with.

STAY ACTIVE

Shorter days means finding creative ways to squeeze in some exercise while the girls get some play time as well. If the weather permits, we’ll take things outside.  I usually do my HIIT circuits while they play on the playground or explore the park and we end our exercise with a walk around the neighborhood.  For those chilly days when you’d rather stay inside, create a fun circuit training exercise and get the kids involved. Even simple things like cleaning can burn some serious calories!

GET SOME SHUT EYE

This one is probably my favorite! If I could, I’d probably hibernate all winter and catch up on the last 5 years of sleep I’ve been missing out on!  In all seriousness, getting a good night’s rest is so important for your health, not to mention all the digestion and ant-aging benefits.  Take advantage of the shorter days and allow your body to rest, recover, and reboot. You’ll wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and in a great mood.

HAVE A BACKUP

 There is honestly nothing worse than seeing your little one sick, but being a sick mom sure comes close and trust me, I’ve had my fair share of sick days to prove it.  I’ve learned that sometimes life throws you for a loop so be prepared! Umcka® ColdCare chewables are my secret weapon to cutting down on those sick days and the severity of common cold symptoms so I can get back to momlife as usual. It comes in many forms and flavors for all your cold and flu needs and these cherry-flavored ones taste great.

I also have the kids chewable version on standby in case my girls are feeling under the weather as well as this Umcka ColdCare Kids FastActives. They both work the same except this one comes in a powder packet.

Whether you’re a working professional or busy mom on the go (or both), I hope these winter wellness routine tips help you achieve a healthier, happier you. What’s one thing you do to stay healthy?  Have you tried these supplements before? Let me know in the comments.

Photography by Hayley Jackson Photography

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.