As the cold weather sets in, it’s vital to give your mind and body a boost to improve overall mood and wellbeing.

1. Centre in on your diet.

Fill your plate with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to give your body adequate nutrition and vitamins to increase energy levels throughout the winter months.

A nutritious diet, along with drinking plenty of water, will ensure your immune system stays strong to help ward off any colds or flus.

If you’re curling up to cravings of comfort food, get creative and give your standard winter meals a healthy twist.

Try using lean mince for your spaghetti bolognese, and add in extra vegetables.

Swap creamy, salt-laden soups with broths filled with plenty of vegetables, lentils, chickpeas and herbs.

Top shepherd’s pie with sweet potato and pumpkin mash, made using low-fat milk, or substitute noodles with spiralised zucchini in your favourite baked pasta dish.

2. Get active.

When the temps are low, it’s tempting to stay warm under the covers, but a little movement can work wonders for your mood and overall health.

Maintain motivation by exercising close to home, or get active as a family or with friends to help keep you accountable.

If the cold is a factor, opt for exercising indoors by hitting the treadmill, joining a gym class, or setting up a circuit in your own home.

3. Get social.

Spending time with family and friends can help lift your mood and generate positive thoughts.

You could organise a day of bushwalking, rug up for an outdoor picnic, or stay indoors for a movie or games night.

One third of all cancers are preventable through healthy lifestyle changes. It’s vital to help lower your risk of cancer this winter by enjoying a healthy diet, being physically active every day and maintaining a healthy body weight.

For more information about staying healthy this season, visit Cancer Council Queensland or phone 13 11 20.

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Originally published at Mum Daily.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels.