The winter time is often associated with staying indoors with the fireplace (or other type of heating system) roaring while people curl up in blankets and do their best to stay warm and dry. To be sure, for many, the winter time is when people are the most sedentary. This is the time of year people like to keep still. It is taken for granted that, because this is the time of year when one "babies" ones self that staying healthy is relatively easy. This is not always true. Taking care of your health is as important during the winter months as it is during the summer months. Here are some hints to help you stay healthy this winter.

1. Eat a balanced diet. Do not give in to the snacks and tasty treats that accompany the winter holidays. Make sure that you are getting all of your servings of fruits, vegetables and grains each day as well as your daily allotments of sugar and fat. Take in at least two servings of dairy each day as well.

2. Get Enough Sleep. While winter seems to encourage sleep, it might surprise you to learn how much sleep is actually lost during the colder months. Have a regular bed time and try to sleep for at least eight hours every night. Your immune system needs you to rest so it can be at its fighting best to keep you from coming down with the flu!

3. Wash Your Hands. You can increase your health quite a bit by making sure to wash your hands after every visit to the restroom and before every meal. Use hot and soapy water to ensure that they get clean.

4. Stay Fit! If you don't want to exercise outdoors, join a gym and use their equipment to stay in shape while it is too cold to exercise outside. This important both to keep your body strong and to keep your emotions stable as well. Winter is the time when people feel the most depressed and off kilter. Regular exercise raises endorphin levels and keeps those feelings at bay! Regular exercise can help counteract the effect the extra snacking you'll be doing will have on your body.

5. Get Your Flu Shot. Flu shots are extremely affordable and readily available. A flu shot will help you fight off most of the colds and viruses that attack during the winter when you are more vulnerable to infection.

6. Quit smoking. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for one's health. When you smoke indoors (as is often the case for most smokers during the winter months) you can risk other peoples' health as well. Second hand smoke is as bad as the smoke inhaled by the smoker himself.

7. Be Happy! Staying cheerful can do quite a lot to help keep you healthy during the winter months.