Summer is slowly coming to an end; the evenings are drawing in, the mornings are chillier and the leaves on the trees are starting to turn from green to gold. That means it’s time to get into some winter self care tips.
Changing seasons can be an exciting time with lots to look forward to; as we head into colder weather it’s time to embrace chunky knits, hot chocolate, mulled wine and cosy nights spent snug indoors.
But this transition isn’t all smooth sailing; cold, wet weather and lack of sunlight hours can wreak havoc on our mental and physical wellbeing. Here are some tips and tricks to help keep you glowing, inside and out, throughout the colder months.
Winter Self Care Tips:
Skin
Cold weather is bad news for our skin; plummeting temperatures and central heating disrupts the protective layer on our skin, drawing out moisture and causing it to become dry, flakey and itchy.
Skin can become sensitive and if you suffer from any skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea or psoriasis you’ll notice these tend to flare up and worsen as the temperature drops.
To protect your skin, hydration is essential and as tempting as it is to have hot baths and showers, especially when coming in from the cold, make sure you keep the temperature relatively low as hot water will dry out your skin further.
Body
Immediately after showering moisturise your entire body. Favour rich moisturisers that are going to lock in moisture, such as shea butter or coconut oil, and make sure you’re moisturising your skin daily. Slough off any dead skin by exfoliating two to three times a week using either an exfoliating scrub, brush or gloves.
Face
If you don’t already, incorporate face oils into your skincare routine and make sure you’re using a moisture rich daily moisturiser. Find a good hyaluronic acid too; this is great for locking in moisture and can hold up to a thousands times its own weight in water. Despite the cold weather make sure you continue to wear a high SPF; even on those dark gloomy days the sun’s rays can still penetrate through the clouds and damage your skin.
Lips
The skin on our lips is thin and more susceptible to the cold weather which is why we find we reach for the Vaseline as it starts to get colder. Although Vaseline is a great lubricator try and favour lip balms that are moisturising and protecting as well as being a lubricating barrier. Like the skin on our body and face make sure you exfoliate your lips too by investing in a high quality lip scrub.
Hair
It’s no surprise that the drying nature of cold weather will also have a negative effect on our hair. When our hair is lacking moisture it becomes dull, lifeless and prone to damage and split ends. You might find you’re losing more hair in the winter months as damaged hair falls out to allow room for healthy hair growth.
To keep your hair moisturised and healthy invest in a hair mask and incorporate this into your beauty routine once a week. You can also use warm coconut oil by applying this liberally to your hair, paying particular attention to the ends. Leave this on for an hour before rinsing with warm water. Avoid heat styling and going out in the cold with wet hair as both can cause damage, including breakages and hair loss.
Mind
The winter months can be difficult on our mental health. Wet, windy, weather and dark gloomy days can make us feel sad, miserable and longing for vitamin D.
One in three people in the UK have reported suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months so it’s important to invest in your mental wellbeing and seek help if you’re feeling blue.
If you find you’re struggling to feel good make time each day to do something that makes you happy. This could be anything from snuggling up on the sofa with a new book to treating yourself to a coffee from your favourite coffee shop.
If you’re missing the sun, and booking a holiday isn’t in your budget, invest in a light therapy box. Sunlight does more than give us a great tan; it’s our natural time keeper and helps regulate our body’s natural cycles. When these natural rhythms become disrupted we can become depressed, anxious and have trouble sleeping but a light therapy box mimics natural sunlight and reduces stress, depression and anxiety.
Keeping fit
Exercise
As the weather gets colder the desire to stay warm and cosy on the sofa can outweigh the motivation to hit the gym but it’s important to keep fit and stay active.
Working out releases endorphins, those happy hormones that make you feel good, helping to reduce stress and depression. Try and spend time in nature; invest in some warm workout gear and the right footwear and get exploring. The mix of physical activity and being outside in the natural world will do wonders for your mood.
Exercise could also help boost your immune system hence its one of our winter self care tips. There is some research to suggest regular exercise helps flush bacteria from your lungs and airways helping reduce the chance of getting coughs and colds.
Diet
Cold weather can have us reaching for the comfort food; there is nothing more soothing than coming in from the cold and indulging in something hot and stodgy but it’s important to limit how much of this we’re eating. Carb heavy, fatty foods can make us feel sluggish and lethargic which in turn can have a negative effect on our mental health.
A salad probably isn’t what you fancy when it’s blowing a gale outside but make sure you’re loading up on veggies in things like soups and casseroles. Eating well will help boost your mood as well as helping to keep your immune system fit and healthy; something that’s especially important as we enter flu season.
Embrace It!
The winter months can be tough on us all but remember they won’t last forever. Try not to wish your life away hoping for better days and learn to embrace the colder months. Hopefully these winter self care tips can help make sure you’re looking after your mind and body, nourishing it with goodness, so you can be the healthiest, happiest you.
