It becomes very difficult to manage weight for most individuals including older adults during the winter season. As per researchers, individuals gain an average of 5-7 pounds during these months. Sudden weight gain can be detrimental for health especially for individuals with chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Prior to discussing about the factors that lead to weight gain during winters and ways to maintain a healthy weight, read to know more about the benefits of assisted living facilities.
Assisted living facilities comprise well-trained and experienced caregivers who offer round the clock care and support to the senior residents suffering from memory or mobility issues. Going for senior living communities is the best option to consider if you have a senior family member who faces difficulty in carrying out the basic household tasks or suffers from memory problems. If you are a resident of the Phoenix region in AZ, don’t look beyond Anthem Senior Living for the best form of assisted care and support. It is an award-winning assisted living Anthem facility in the region.
Reasons behind weight gain during winters:
Sleep in Excess– Cold weather tends to make individuals lazy. The colder months make us less productive. In the summer, it’s very easy to hop out of bed and be productive. In winters, it’s the complete opposite. The cooler weather deters individuals from continuing with their active routines. It’s advisable to wear proper clothing during the winters which is comfortable to wear outside which can help in getting up in the sun and get moving.
Seasonal Affective Disorder– The lack of sunlight during the winters usually affects the mood and health which makes a handful of people develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the winter, which is a type of clinical depression. Experts recommend waking up early and taking full advantage of the sunlight in the morning which can help sail smoothly through the day.
Holiday Meals– There is an influx of parties and gathering during winters which leads to tons of drinking and eating thus invariably leading to weight gain. People tend to gain an average of a pound during the holiday season. Additionally, people reach for heavier and more warming foods in these months.
Ways to maintain healthy weight:
Engaging in a new hobby– There are so many hobbies you can engage in like scrapbooking, watercolor painting, etc. which can prove to be beneficial in keeping boredom at bay. These hobbies are some interesting ones that doesn’t necessitate going outdoors.
Physical Exercise– Some physical activities that can be performed from the comfort of one’s living room are chair yoga, walking on a treadmill, etc. which can play a huge role in keeping your weight in check. You can also monitor your activity by purchasing a wearable fitness device.
Healthy Meals– Planning healthy meals and snacks is an effective way to fight winter weight gain. Planning in advance will tempt you less to rely on fast food or convenience foods. Make sure to prepare meals to meet the unique nutritional needs of your senior loved ones.
Socialize- Winter season lowers our productivity. Preventing the winter blues can help you avoid winter weight gain which can be done by going out with friends or loved ones. Talk to your physician if you are finding it difficult to beat the blues.
Visit Anthem Senior Living in Phoenix and book a suite with us. We have a beautiful suite available that is fully furnished, jack-n-jill bathroom adjacent.
If you are in the search for a quality assisted living home or adult care home in Anthem Arizona, Anthem Senior Living may be among your favorites, see what others have said about our assisted living home.