Winter aches and pains are normal and typically worsen as we age. Most of us turn to painkillers and rest to help us feel better, but these certainly aren’t the only ways to cope with winter aches and pains.
There are some fantastic alternative options which could help you to stay comfortable and enjoy the cold weather.
Stay Active
It can be hard to motivate ourselves to exercise when our muscles and joints ache, and you might be tempted to stay home and rest.
While some rest is essential, especially if you have an injury, too much inactivity can lead to stiffness, making activity harder and aches worse.
Staying active can ease stiffness in your joints, boost your circulation, and help you stay loose and pain-free. Exercises like yoga and walking can be ideal in winter.
Build Strength
Stronger muscles better support your joints and bones, which can reduce the risk of winter aches in the first place.
If you are new to strength training, instead of rushing off to the gym to lift heavy weights, practice yoga and body weight exercises like Pilates, which will build strength and flexibility gradually while improving your posture and easing aches.
Acupuncture
There are many benefits to acupuncture, one of which is reducing pain and discomfort. Acupuncture is often used to relieve things like dental pain but can be equally effective when it comes to fighting off winter aches and pains.
Regular acupuncture in Bristol can help you stay pain-free and enjoy the season. Bristol acupuncture can also help reduce stress, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep, giving your body a better chance to rest and recover and further reducing winter aches and pains.
Vitamin D
A lack of vitamin D can have a range of symptoms, including fatigue and aches. If you struggle to get enough vitamin D from your diet, consider a supplement, especially in winter when there’sless natural sunlight to boost your intake.
Work on Your Posture
Good posturereduces pressure on your joints, relievingaches and pains, especially in your back, shoulders, and hips. Check yourself and make corrections throughout the day, and then add exercises that strengthen your core to support your back.
Improve Your Mood and Reduce Stress
Aches and pains can cause low mood, but low mood and stress can also worsen aches and pains. Low mood can also make it harder to stay active and enjoy exercise.
Finding ways to reduce stress, like exercising, sleeping well, spending time with friends, and practising self-care, will improve your mood and reduce your stress levels. Trying to get outdoors every day, even in poor weather, can also be effective.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight puts extra pressure on your joints and muscles, increasing aches and pains and making activity more difficult. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh food and exercising will help.
While there are benefits to resting and taking pain medications, keeping active and looking at your lifestyle can help you live pain-free without needing to rely on medicines.
