Weekly Health Tip
The air has turned crisp and cold and that means that wintertime is here. Winter is a beautiful time of year with all the wonderful holidays and snow. But there are some concerns truckers might have to face to make sure they have a safe and healthy winter season. As truck drivers, you know that the beauty of the season also brings some dangers with driving. The cold conditions can cause issues with your vehicles and affect the state of the roadways as well. It’s important you take care of not just your trucks, but your bodies as well. Luckily, we have some tips to help you manage these issues to have a safe and healthy winter season this year!
WINTER PHYSICAL BODY TUNE-UP
Many health problems come in the winter. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. The winter weather brings on some specific health considerations of its own. Winter is a prime time for some illnesses such as the common cold, stomach ailments and pneumonia, not to mention the Covid-19 virus. Due to the icy weather, there can be more broken bones due to falls from slippery surfaces.
We want to take a moment to pester you a little bit about your health. Throughout the snowy season, it is tempting to stay indoors and curl up but don’t do it! When you’re healthy, you inspire others. It’s a chain reaction of positivity! Here are some ways that all of us can stay healthy this winter.
EATING FOR A HEALTHY BODY
One of the easiest ways to start is to make sure you are eating a balanced diet to keep your immune system strong to ward off illnesses. Eating fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources and complex carbs help keep your body running in top form. Here are five foods that are recommended to bolster your immune system and keep you healthy.
FIVE EXCELLENT WINTER FOODS:
• CITRUS FRUITS – Citrus fruits contain a lot of Vitamin C which is great for warding off winter bugs.
LEAFY, DARK GREENS – Kale, collard greens and spinach offer a wealth of vitamins A, K and C as well as folic acid.
• WINTER SQUASH – Winter squashes such as acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash are wonderful for providing Vitamins A, B6, C and K, folate and potassium. They have a wonderful rich taste as well and there is such a huge winter variety to choose from.
• OATMEAL – Oatmeal is high in nutrients, particularly zinc which is great for immune function.
• BERRIES – Berries such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are wonderful sources of nutrients. They are particularly easy to get in the winter by simply purchasing them frozen. They are easily used right out of the freezer and can be added to many recipes as well as smoothies, oatmeal and yogurt.
It is also very important to remember to drink an adequate amount of water. Most health authorities recommend around two liters of water a day for adults to keep the body running smoothly. Water helps the body regulate temperature and keeps the cells and tissues operating properly. Water can keep you feeling fuller which can help you eat less and avoid winter weight gain. It also helps bolster your immune function!
