9 Winter Health Myths Busted

Winter does have its downsides. It’s cold, dark and the days just seem to disappear – where did the summer go? That being said, this super-cold season isn’t as bad as people believe.

If we catch a cold or put on a few pounds, we’re quick to blame winter. But in many instances, the season is wrongly accused. From oldwives tales to common misconceptions, we’re separating winter fact from fiction. 

   

Myth 1: You can’t exercise in winter

This would be a great excuse to kick off the running shoes and sit in front of the TV, but the truth is, exercising in winter is perfectly fine.  Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise claims that it’s actually better for you than running in warmer climates. The cold forces us to pick up the pace, encouraging a faster, harder workout. It burns calories and increases endorphin levels, resulting in a healthier, happier you.

Myth 2: The cold air makes you sick

A classic line from mum – ‘wrap up warm or you’ll catch a cold.’ And whilst the drop in temperature can exacerbate feelings of sickness, there’s no definitive proof that it causes a cold directly.  Only by coming into contact with the germs themselves can you become sick. Flu expert Doctor Thomas Tallman of Cleveland Clinic says we’re “more likely to catch a cold indoors, where it's warm and crowded than outdoors in the chilly air. 

Myth 3: Less sunlight causes depression

The combination of bad weather and shorter days can make us feel down in the dumps. However, there’s nothing to suggest that the lack of sunshine during winter causes widespread depression. Some do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during this time – a condition that triggers depression-like symptoms such as lethargy, tiredness and withdrawal from family and friends. But this only tends to affect a small percentage, 3-6% of people in the UK. Family and financial stresses are more likely to cause winter blues than a shortage of sunlight.

Myth 4: You can drink less in winter

Whilst you might not feel the need to drink as much water during winter, it’s important to always stay hydrated, whatever the season. During the summer months, the hot and humid climates make us sweat, and naturally we reach for an ice-cold drink. But as you’ll agree, this is less tempting when the temperatures hit freezing outside. Hydration effects everything from energy to concentration, so be sure to top-up the hot teas and water during winter.

Myth 5: Sun cream in winter? Don’t be silly

Despite the lack of sunshine, you still need to apply some level of protection to your skin during the colder months, especially if you’re jetting off for some winter sun. Even skiing and snowboarding trips come with risks. The UV rays reflect off the snow, and this can cause skin damage.

The sudden exposure to sunlight after being wrapped up indoors can have a huge impact on your skin, so it’s better to be on the safe side.  By using an SPF all year round, you reduce the risk of skin cancer and keep your skin looking smooth and healthy.

Myth 6: Winter = weight gain

As much as we’d like to blame the change in season for weight gain, research proves that we’ve no reason to eat more during winter. Medical Director of the Bariatric Institute in Ottawa, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff says “We do know that in hibernating animals there will be seasonal changes in hunger hormones, but there is nothing to suggest that that’s true in people.” The sudden desire for comfort food and cosy nights in comes from our wish to avoid the winter – the cold, the stress, the dark nights – not because we have a biological need to increase our calorie intake.

Myth 7: Winter makes the allergies disappear

If your winter cold won’t budge, it could be allergies. There’s a common misconception that summer is allergy season. However, winter brings its’ own irritants. Being stuck indoors; in warm, temperate climates can flair up itchy eyes, tickly throats and constant sneezes. The best way to distinguish between the two is the length of your symptoms – common colds only tend to last a few days, a week at the maximum. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, it’s likely to be allergies.

Myth 8: Winter makes your hair fall out

The stress of winter might cause your hair to fall out, but the season itself isn’t the culprit. Research even suggests that summer could potentially be the worst season for hair loss.  A 6-year study conducted by the University Hospital of Zurich found that the ladies tested lost the least amount of hair during winter. The cold can make hair dry and brittle, and reconditioning treatments can help with this.

Myth 9: Alcohol makes you warm

Winter is a great time for socialising, but remember: alcohol doesn’t increase your body’s temperature. The warm feeling you experience when enjoying a glass of wine or beer is the blood dilating and rushing to your cheeks, making them nice and rosy.  This is only temperamental and can be dangerous, as your body isn’t actually as warm as you think it is. You may misjudge the icy-cold temperatures because of the instant feeling alcohol provides – so be careful.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-winter-health-myths-busted-090000505.html

How To Get Rid Of A Cold And A Blocked Nose: 12 Remedies

Christmas colds are par for the course this season.

While everyone else is gearing up for the office party, you're all bunged up feeling sorry for yourself.

Sadly, there is no magical cure for the common cold, but there are plenty of things out there to help relieve symptoms such as sinus pains and blocked noses.

Cures for colds and blocked noses! [REX]

We've compiled a list of some of the best and most unusual pieces of advice, so you're not a snotty mess missing out on all the fun.

1. Break Out The Swiss Ball

If you're feverish, then don't attempt this, but as my fitness instructor always used to say "If you're only sick from the neck up, get back on that treadmill!"

The common cold shouldn't stop you from continuing with moderate exercise. In fact, gently working up a sweat can do wonders for seeing off a cold faster, thanks to the endorphin-producing, immune-boosting consequences of a workout.

2. Humifidiers

Blocked noses are really annoying. There are lots of places touting really expensive humidifiers, but actually this really simple steam in haler, for as little as £4.99, works in just the same way!

Simple steam inhaler [Medisure]

3. Coconut Water

Yeah yeah, we know, every man and his dog is trying to sell you on the benefits of coconut water. But besides it being the trendiest thing to drink since Fiji water, there is some evidence to prove it hydrates you at a faster rate than tap water.

And as any good Doctor will tell you, recovering from a cold is all about hydration, hydration, hydration!

(In the absence of coconut water, normal water will also work just fine).

4. Blow The RIGHT Way

Blowing your nose (rather than sniffing) can actually be good for you.

However, there IS a right way to go about it.

Trumpeting really hard isn't just annoying for everyone around you, it also risks damaging blood vessels and pushing the phlegm into the passages between your nose, throat and ears, leaving you open to earache.

The best way to blow is to press on one nostril and gently blow out of the other, in one swift motion. Then repeat on the other side.

5. Get In The Shower

Quite apart from making you feel generally refreshed, a steamy shower can work in the same way as a humidifier - clearing your sinuses.

A hot shower can make you feel better for a number of reasons [REX]

6. Allergy Tablets

Although you should always consult a doctor before using medicine other than for its intended use, tablets for allergies such as hayfever can be useful to those suffering from colds.

They often contain antihistamines, which in some forms can help decrease the swelling in your nasal passages and prevent you from feeling so stuffed up!

7. Raw Onion and Raw Garlic

Yep, it's gross, but eating raw onion and garlic can help. You won't make any friends doing this, but you might get over your cold faster in order to hang out with your old ones.

Cooking onion is thought to strip it of its antimicrobial properties.

Just knock it back! [REX]

8. Dark Chocolate

This isn't just to make you feel better after scarfing raw onion and garlic, but it might help wtih that too!

The theobromine in dark chocolate can help stop persistent coughs and soothe sore throats.

9. Vaporub Babies' Feet

If it's not you but your little one that is feeling ill, popular doctrine says massaging vaporub into their feet and then covering with socks is best practice.

This means the vaporub is far enough away from hands and mouths where it would risk ingestion, but it is able to be absorbed and effective.

Rub on their feet to get them to sleep [REX]

10. Hot Toddies For Everyone!

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, didn't you know.

Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself while missing out on the season's party drinks is no fun.

Hot whiskey and lemon might be an oldie, with limited medical efficacy, but it makes everyone feel better, so who cares right?

11. Saline Solution

Is there anything a bit of salt water can't cure?

Whether it's gargling it three times a day, to spraying it up your nose, saline solution (salt water) can help.

Try dissolving a heaped tablespoon of salt into half a cup of water.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-cold-and-a-blocked-nose--12-remedies-145022952.html

9 Winter Health Myths Busted

Winter does have its downsides. It’s cold, dark and the days just seem to disappear – where did the summer go? That being said, this super-cold season isn’t as bad as people believe.

If we catch a cold or put on a few pounds, we’re quick to blame winter. But in many instances, the season is wrongly accused. From oldwives tales to common misconceptions, we’re separating winter fact from fiction. 

   

Myth 1: You can’t exercise in winter

This would be a great excuse to kick off the running shoes and sit in front of the TV, but the truth is, exercising in winter is perfectly fine.  Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise claims that it’s actually better for you than running in warmer climates. The cold forces us to pick up the pace, encouraging a faster, harder workout. It burns calories and increases endorphin levels, resulting in a healthier, happier you.

Myth 2: The cold air makes you sick

A classic line from mum – ‘wrap up warm or you’ll catch a cold.’ And whilst the drop in temperature can exacerbate feelings of sickness, there’s no definitive proof that it causes a cold directly.  Only by coming into contact with the germs themselves can you become sick. Flu expert Doctor Thomas Tallman of Cleveland Clinic says we’re “more likely to catch a cold indoors, where it's warm and crowded than outdoors in the chilly air. 

Myth 3: Less sunlight causes depression

The combination of bad weather and shorter days can make us feel down in the dumps. However, there’s nothing to suggest that the lack of sunshine during winter causes widespread depression. Some do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during this time – a condition that triggers depression-like symptoms such as lethargy, tiredness and withdrawal from family and friends. But this only tends to affect a small percentage, 3-6% of people in the UK. Family and financial stresses are more likely to cause winter blues than a shortage of sunlight.

Myth 4: You can drink less in winter

Whilst you might not feel the need to drink as much water during winter, it’s important to always stay hydrated, whatever the season. During the summer months, the hot and humid climates make us sweat, and naturally we reach for an ice-cold drink. But as you’ll agree, this is less tempting when the temperatures hit freezing outside. Hydration effects everything from energy to concentration, so be sure to top-up the hot teas and water during winter.

Myth 5: Sun cream in winter? Don’t be silly

Despite the lack of sunshine, you still need to apply some level of protection to your skin during the colder months, especially if you’re jetting off for some winter sun. Even skiing and snowboarding trips come with risks. The UV rays reflect off the snow, and this can cause skin damage.

The sudden exposure to sunlight after being wrapped up indoors can have a huge impact on your skin, so it’s better to be on the safe side.  By using an SPF all year round, you reduce the risk of skin cancer and keep your skin looking smooth and healthy.

Myth 6: Winter = weight gain

As much as we’d like to blame the change in season for weight gain, research proves that we’ve no reason to eat more during winter. Medical Director of the Bariatric Institute in Ottawa, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff says “We do know that in hibernating animals there will be seasonal changes in hunger hormones, but there is nothing to suggest that that’s true in people.” The sudden desire for comfort food and cosy nights in comes from our wish to avoid the winter – the cold, the stress, the dark nights – not because we have a biological need to increase our calorie intake.

Myth 7: Winter makes the allergies disappear

If your winter cold won’t budge, it could be allergies. There’s a common misconception that summer is allergy season. However, winter brings its’ own irritants. Being stuck indoors; in warm, temperate climates can flair up itchy eyes, tickly throats and constant sneezes. The best way to distinguish between the two is the length of your symptoms – common colds only tend to last a few days, a week at the maximum. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, it’s likely to be allergies.

Myth 8: Winter makes your hair fall out

The stress of winter might cause your hair to fall out, but the season itself isn’t the culprit. Research even suggests that summer could potentially be the worst season for hair loss.  A 6-year study conducted by the University Hospital of Zurich found that the ladies tested lost the least amount of hair during winter. The cold can make hair dry and brittle, and reconditioning treatments can help with this.

Myth 9: Alcohol makes you warm

Winter is a great time for socialising, but remember: alcohol doesn’t increase your body’s temperature. The warm feeling you experience when enjoying a glass of wine or beer is the blood dilating and rushing to your cheeks, making them nice and rosy.  This is only temperamental and can be dangerous, as your body isn’t actually as warm as you think it is. You may misjudge the icy-cold temperatures because of the instant feeling alcohol provides – so be careful.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-winter-health-myths-busted-090000505.html

7 Surprising Ways Winter is Good For Your Health

For most, winter means scarves, gloves and nights in front of the TV. December 1^st hits and you wait with baited breath for your first winter cold – bring on the sniffles! But before you write-off winter completely, cold temperatures can have their benefits.

Check out the 7 surprising ways winter is good for your health. There is light at the end of the tunnel, although it might take till March for you to see it.

  

 

Reduces pain

There’s no denying that we need to take extra-care during winter. It can exacerbate existing health conditions, worsen mobility and lower our immunity.

That being said, winter does have its plus points. In 2010’s Harvard Health Letter they discuss how some parts of the world praise cooler temperatures for their medicinal benefits. In Finland for instance, they are firm believers in the power of cryotherapy – an age-old process that relies on the extreme cold to decrease cell growth and supress pain.

This is supported further by a Finnish study, in which 10 women took cold-water plunges / full-body cryotherapy sessions for 3 months. The results found that the exposure to the cold increased levels of norepinephrine; a chemical associated with pain reduction.  

Some argue that small doses of the cold works in the same way that ice supresses inflammation, but we’ll leave that for you to decide.

Assists in exercise

Don’t hang up your running shoes this winter. Instead, embrace the cold and start exercising – the winter chill works in your favour. According to Men’s Health, running in cold temperatures forces us to acclimatise, which in turn trains our body to use oxygen more effectively. Northern Arizona University found that regular workouts in the cold increased running speeds by 29%.

If that hasn’t persuaded you, a quick run in the cold can also help beat the winter blues. Exercise strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and increases endorphins (happy hormones) – so get moving!

Helps maintain a healthy weight

Contrary to popular belief, winter doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll pile on the pounds. We do like to overindulge at this time of year, which can lead to ‘holiday weight,’ but there’s nothing to suggest that the cooler temperatures force us to bulk up.

In fact, some researchers suggest the opposite. The Harvard Health Letter explains that the ‘brown fats’ within our body react best to cooler weather. The cold activates these fats and effectively burns calories (a little consolation as the festive season gets underway).

Start Socialising

Many will agree, winter is one of the most sociable times of the year – so make the most of it! Visit family and friends and celebrate the cold weather in style. Be that by getting festive or throwing a New Year party to remember, socialising with your nearest and dearest has considerable health benefits.

Heading out and meeting others can alleviate symptoms of depression. Socialising reduces stress, increases our self-esteem and allows us to build on the positive relationships we have. Don’t let winter lead to isolation and find comfort in being with friends.  

Time to hibernate

For those who can’t face the cold, winter is also the perfect excuse to stay tucked-up in bed.  The decrease in sunlight creates shorter days and longer nights, which encourages us to sleep more.

According to the NHS, the shortage of sunlight causes our brain to produce more melatonin – a hormone that controls our day-night cycle and makes us tired. That’s why you feel sleepier earlier in the evening compared to summer.

This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Make up for lost time and enjoy the need to sleep. Catch up on your forty winks so you’re ready and raring to go come Spring.

Hot drinks all round

Hot drinks and soups are a great way to cope with the cold. Those tasty hot chocolates not only keep you nice and toasty, but they’re also rich in antioxidants. Chocolate contains flavonoids that fight free radicals and promote good circulation, so don’t feel too guilty about this wintertime luxury.

Alternatively if you’re being well behaved but warm this winter, drinking a cup of hot water carries numerous health benefits. It has a cleansing effect that not only hydrates but also helps to ward of impurities and assists in weight loss.

You search for sun elsewhere

If you aren’t convinced of the winter health benefits, think of it this way – at least it encourages you to travel. If you’re in desperate need of some winter sun, then why not top up your tan overseas?

Trips abroad provide much needed relief to a stressful time. They inspire change – new perspectives, experiences, cultures – and make day-to-day situations seem much more manageable than before.

Who knew winter could be so kind?

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/7-surprising-ways-winter-good-health-090000063.html

7 Surprising Ways Winter is Good For Your Health

For most, winter means scarves, gloves and nights in front of the TV. December 1st hits and you wait with baited breath for your first winter cold – bring on the sniffles! But before you write-off winter completely, cold temperatures can have their benefits.
Check out the 7 surprising ways winter is good for your health. There is light at the end of the tunnel, although it might take till March for you to see it.


 

 

7 Surprising Ways Winter is Good For Your Health

Reduces pain
There’s no denying that we need to take extra-care during winter. It can exacerbate existing health conditions, worsen mobility and lower our immunity.
That being said, winter does have its plus points. In 2010’s Harvard Health Letter they discuss how some parts of the world praise cooler temperatures for their medicinal benefits. In Finland for instance, they are firm believers in the power of cryotherapy – an age-old process that relies on the extreme cold to decrease cell growth and supress pain.
This is supported further by a Finnish study, in which 10 women took cold-water plunges / full-body cryotherapy sessions for 3 months. The results found that the exposure to the cold increased levels of norepinephrine; a chemical associated with pain reduction.
Some argue that small doses of the cold works in the same way that ice supresses inflammation, but we’ll leave that for you to decide.

Assists in exercise
Don’t hang up your running shoes this winter. Instead, embrace the cold and start exercising – the winter chill works in your favour. According to Men’s Health, running in cold temperatures forces us to acclimatise, which in turn trains our body to use oxygen more effectively. Northern Arizona University found that regular workouts in the cold increased running speeds by 29%.
If that hasn’t persuaded you, a quick run in the cold can also help beat the winter blues. Exercise strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and increases endorphins (happy hormones) – so get moving!

Helps maintain a healthy weight
Contrary to popular belief, winter doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll pile on the pounds. We do like to overindulge at this time of year, which can lead to ‘holiday weight,’ but there’s nothing to suggest that the cooler temperatures force us to bulk up.
In fact, some researchers suggest the opposite. The Harvard Health Letter explains that the ‘brown fats’ within our body react best to cooler weather. The cold activates these fats and effectively burns calories (a little consolation as the festive season gets underway).

Start Socialising
Many will agree, winter is one of the most sociable times of the year – so make the most of it! Visit family and friends and celebrate the cold weather in style. Be that by getting festive or throwing a New Year party to remember, socialising with your nearest and dearest has considerable health benefits.
Heading out and meeting others can alleviate symptoms of depression. Socialising reduces stress, increases our self-esteem and allows us to build on the positive relationships we have. Don’t let winter lead to isolation and find comfort in being with friends.

Time to hibernate
For those who can’t face the cold, winter is also the perfect excuse to stay tucked-up in bed.  The decrease in sunlight creates shorter days and longer nights, which encourages us to sleep more.
According to the NHS, the shortage of sunlight causes our brain to produce more melatonin – a hormone that controls our day-night cycle and makes us tired. That’s why you feel sleepier earlier in the evening compared to summer.
This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Make up for lost time and enjoy the need to sleep. Catch up on your forty winks so you’re ready and raring to go come Spring.
Hot drinks all round
Hot drinks and soups are a great way to cope with the cold. Those tasty hot chocolates not only keep you nice and toasty, but they’re also rich in antioxidants. Chocolate contains flavonoids that fight free radicals and promote good circulation, so don’t feel too guilty about this wintertime luxury.
Alternatively if you’re being well behaved but warm this winter, drinking a cup of hot water carries numerous health benefits. It has a cleansing effect that not only hydrates but also helps to ward of impurities and assists in weight loss.
https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/7-surprising-ways-winter-good-health-090000063.html

How To Get Rid Of A Cold And A Blocked Nose: 12 Remedies

Christmas colds are par for the course this season.

While everyone else is gearing up for the office party, you're all bunged up feeling sorry for yourself.

Sadly, there is no magical cure for the common cold, but there are plenty of things out there to help relieve symptoms such as sinus pains and blocked noses.

Cures for colds and blocked noses! [REX]

We've compiled a list of some of the best and most unusual pieces of advice, so you're not a snotty mess missing out on all the fun.

1. Break Out The Swiss Ball

If you're feverish, then don't attempt this, but as my fitness instructor always used to say "If you're only sick from the neck up, get back on that treadmill!"

The common cold shouldn't stop you from continuing with moderate exercise. In fact, gently working up a sweat can do wonders for seeing off a cold faster, thanks to the endorphin-producing, immune-boosting consequences of a workout.

2. Humifidiers

Blocked noses are really annoying. There are lots of places touting really expensive humidifiers, but actually this really simple steam in haler, for as little as £4.99, works in just the same way!

Simple steam inhaler [Medisure]

3. Coconut Water

Yeah yeah, we know, every man and his dog is trying to sell you on the benefits of coconut water. But besides it being the trendiest thing to drink since Fiji water, there is some evidence to prove it hydrates you at a faster rate than tap water.

And as any good Doctor will tell you, recovering from a cold is all about hydration, hydration, hydration!

(In the absence of coconut water, normal water will also work just fine).

4. Blow The RIGHT Way

Blowing your nose (rather than sniffing) can actually be good for you.

However, there IS a right way to go about it.

Trumpeting really hard isn't just annoying for everyone around you, it also risks damaging blood vessels and pushing the phlegm into the passages between your nose, throat and ears, leaving you open to earache.

The best way to blow is to press on one nostril and gently blow out of the other, in one swift motion. Then repeat on the other side.

5. Get In The Shower

Quite apart from making you feel generally refreshed, a steamy shower can work in the same way as a humidifier - clearing your sinuses.

A hot shower can make you feel better for a number of reasons [REX]

6. Allergy Tablets

Although you should always consult a doctor before using medicine other than for its intended use, tablets for allergies such as hayfever can be useful to those suffering from colds.

They often contain antihistamines, which in some forms can help decrease the swelling in your nasal passages and prevent you from feeling so stuffed up!

7. Raw Onion and Raw Garlic

Yep, it's gross, but eating raw onion and garlic can help. You won't make any friends doing this, but you might get over your cold faster in order to hang out with your old ones.

Cooking onion is thought to strip it of its antimicrobial properties.

Just knock it back! [REX]

8. Dark Chocolate

This isn't just to make you feel better after scarfing raw onion and garlic, but it might help wtih that too!

The theobromine in dark chocolate can help stop persistent coughs and soothe sore throats.

9. Vaporub Babies' Feet

If it's not you but your little one that is feeling ill, popular doctrine says massaging vaporub into their feet and then covering with socks is best practice.

This means the vaporub is far enough away from hands and mouths where it would risk ingestion, but it is able to be absorbed and effective.

Rub on their feet to get them to sleep [REX]

10. Hot Toddies For Everyone!

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, didn't you know.

Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself while missing out on the season's party drinks is no fun.

Hot whiskey and lemon might be an oldie, with limited medical efficacy, but it makes everyone feel better, so who cares right?

11. Saline Solution

Is there anything a bit of salt water can't cure?

Whether it's gargling it three times a day, to spraying it up your nose, saline solution (salt water) can help.

Try dissolving a heaped tablespoon of salt into half a cup of water.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-cold-and-a-blocked-nose--12-remedies-145022952.html

5 Christmas Hunger Triggers You Need To Avoid

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and doesn’t our waistline know it? After being good all year, Christmas comes and our healthy eating habits go out the window – hand over the mince pies!

And whilst it’s all too easy to get caught up in the festive magic, spare a little thought for the New Year you; the one sworn to a million New Year’s resolutions, in the hope a total detox will purge you of your dieting sins.

To make January much more bearable; refrain from overindulging this Christmas. Avoid these 5 hunger triggers, and you’re on the right track. 

 

Stress

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness. However, this is soon forgotten when you’re fighting for TVs in Tesco / queuing for the Christmas turkey.

December sends us into panic mode. We need to buy the perfect present now.  To cope with the stress, we find comfort in our old friend, food. High-sugar, high-fat treats provide a warm – albeit temporary – sense of relief that everything’s going to be ok.  

Experts at Harvard Health say our sudden need for food during stressful times is caused by the hormone cortisol, which increases our appetite and makes us reach for the chocolate.

To avoid this trigger, take a step back. Christmas is supposed to be an enjoyable time so try not to worry. Plan, budget and don’t set expectations too high. Instead, dedicate your time to having fun with family and friends.

Tiredness

Christmas can sometimes up the workload, resulting in extra long days at the office and sleepy eyes. Rather than feeling super-festive, you’re desperate for an early night. And to make matters worse, tiredness is a common hunger trigger.

Scientists believe that those who sleep less tend to eat more. A study conducted by Andrew Calvinof the Mayo Clinic found that those who were sleep deprived consumed 550 more calories a day.  We over compensate for our lack of energy by eating sugary foods. Not only that, when we’re tired we tend to ditch cooking healthy meals in favour of takeaway and junk food.

Beat the need to snack by leaving the office on time and getting your 7-8 hours of sleep. It can impact your diet more than you realise. 

Boredom

Eating when bored happens to the best of us, especially at Christmas. You’re surrounded by your favourite foods; cheese, crackers, chocolate biscuits – it would be rude not to.

However, this is where the holiday weight creeps in. December 25^th arrives and there’s nothing to do but put your feet up, watch festive films and eat your way through delicious foods.

If you can resist temptation, this is the perfect hunger trigger to try and beat. Ask family and friends to hold back on buying chocolate, avoid large portion sizes and be aware of ‘mindless’ eating. We tend to forget moderation at Christmas, and can pile on the pounds without even noticing.  

Winter Blues

Feeling down in the dumps is a good enough reason to reach for Christmas snacks. It’s cold, dark and we can’t wait for summer to come back. However, feeling sad during this season is serious business – don’t let sugary foods be your only source of comfort.

If you’re feeling low, call up an old friend. Time with your nearest and dearest is a guaranteed mood booster – as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. Alternatively, dig out the gym gear and exercise. This not only helps you maintain a healthy weight over Christmas, but it also releases endorphins (happy hormones) that make you feel great about yourself.

Merriment

During December, our social calendar is packed with office parties and Christmas catch-ups. And not surprisingly, many of us tend to put on a little extra weight. The season dictates that we must have an amazing time – so prepare yourself for mince pies and mulled wine aplenty!

The key with this hunger trigger is to limit yourself. Amidst festivities, it’s hard to say no. As we all know, Christmas can get notoriously boozy. And whilst alcohol carries serious health risks, it’s also secretly calorific. One pint of beer for instance, is 180 calories.

And then there’s the hangover. The only way to wake up from the rotten headache and terrible tiredness is with a big greasy fry up. Christmas parties are the gift that keeps on giving – lots of calories.

Our advice? Take the healthy option once in while. Swap the glass of wine for a pint of water, share the wealth (selection boxes included) and try to make those Christmas treats last longer than Boxing Day.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-christmas-hunger-triggers-need-avoid-090000040.html