Let’s talk about how to stay happy and healthy during the winter. We’ll focus on three areas: skin care, health & fitness, and mental health.
SKIN CARE
During winter you may feel your skin getting dry and dehydrated. This is when you need to be very keen on moisturising and hydrating. But be careful not to clog your skin. Check that your skin care products are non-comedogenic. This means they will not clog the pores, the products will let your skin breath, as it should.
1. Hydrate with spray mists: to lock in the moisture spray a little rose water on your face.
2. Gently cleans your face. If you use the wonder brush or any other exfoliating brush, be gentler with your skin during winter. Switch to the softer brush to avoid irritating your skin.
3. After you clean your face and are getting ready to tone, do not dry your face with a cloth or any other towel. (you shouldn’t be doing this anyway) allow your face to air dry.
4. Invest in oils that moisturise the skin.
- Avocado oil
- Sweet almond oil
- The ordinary 100% plant-derived squalene
Either add the avocado oil or sweet almond oil to a face mask.
I use the ordinary 100% plant-derived squalene as my serum during my night time routine.
5. Purchase hydrating serums: your skin needs to hydrate a lot more during winter. The Ordinary Hydrating serum does the job for me.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
1. “Abs are made in winter!” I bet you’ve heard this phrase before. And it’s true. If you want to build muscle or lose weight, winter is the best time to establish a steady workout routine.
WHY? You are burning slightly more fat during prolonged exercise during the cold season. “In the cold, your body can regulate its temperature a little better” meaning you can work out for longer. So, you burn more.
FOOD
Increase your intake of foods that are high in vitamin C, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 vitamin D, zinc and iron. These are known for immune support and energy boosting.
Vitamin C
- Broccoli
- Green and red peppers
- Spinach, cabbage
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Squash, butternut, pumpkin
- Citrus fruits
- Chilies
Vitamin D
- Fatty fish
- Soy milk
- Beef Liver
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
Vitamin B3
- Peanuts
- Avocado
- Tuna
- Peas
- Unrefined Grains
Zinc
- Meat
- Legumes
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Whole grans
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collard greens
Iron
- Beans
- Lentils
- Tofu
- Potatoes
- Leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cashew nuts
MENTAL HEALTH
Your mental health is important at all times, but it is especially important to take care of yoourself during winter. When the temperature drops it's very common to suffer from a seasonal depressive disorder. This a lot of the time is caused by the deficiency of vitamin D in your body. So first things first, purchase vitamin D to be taking every morning.
You need to get restful sleep during winter. Often when the temperatures are low your sleep may be interrupted. So, try maintaining a routine of rise and rest times. Put plants in your room to regulate the air and make it less stuffy.
Get in more exercise hours during the week. You need that little kick of dopamine from a good workout during winter. You may want to buy a ceramic oil diffuser and patchouli oil to burn. Patchouli oil essence aids in mood-boosting.
The most important thing about a healthy mind is what you put in your body. Avoid refined sugars and carbs! WHY? The immediate high (sugar rush) and a crushing low caused by refined sugars and carbs affect your mood significantly.
Replace them with sweet fruits such as berries. Eat more beans, dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Drink more herbal teas. And avoid foods and drink such as alcohol, bread, pasta, and white rice.
I hope this blog post helps you cope with the ups and downs of winter. And for those who don’t experience winter, this will help during your cold seasons too!
See you soon. xx
