4 ways to have a healthy winter this year
I don’t know about you, but I felt like autumn arrived this morning! It’s only the middle of August, yet the nights are getting darker, earlier and temperatures are already dropping.
After the past 18 months, which none of us could ever imagine would happen, it’s important to move into the winter months feeling as healthy as possible, both physically and mentally. We need our immune systems to be running optimally, and this means taking care of ourselves.
Here are some things to consider:
Focus on Skincare
I find that during early autumn and early spring my skin becomes much drier and more sensitive. I’m a great animal lover and I’ve noticed this trend seems to coincide with my pet’s losing their coats and moulting, in preparation for a different season – I guess as humans we’re no different! It might be that you need to switch your skincare routine to support a more natural lifestyle, free from harmful toxins. If you’re not doing so already, make sure you go green with your beauty routine; look for products that have more natural ingredients, less harmful ones and you may need to search for more nourishing oils – such as coconut oil – to stop your skin becoming dry. The same is true for makeup options. If you wear makeup, support brands that support your skin and are kind to animals and the planet too.
Maintain a healthy weight
It’s natural to eat more in the winter; we’re designed to. But this doesn’t mean six months of comfort food while binge-watching Netflix for weeks on end! So that you can maintain a healthy weight throughout the colder months, take an honest look at your diet and make plans for any tweaks you might need to make now – it’s better to be prepared. You want to be eating slightly more, but you want the nutritional value to be high by choosing nutrient dense foods. If you’re serious about shifting a few pounds, now is a great time to do it. The NHS have these weight loss ideas that will help.
Get Plenty of Rest
Do you feel more tired and crave more sleep during the winter? That’s ok, you’re meant to! Getting plenty of rest is one of the best ways of being able to improve your body and mind. Getting the right amount of rest is so important for ensuring you look and feel great, and this is why you need some kind of sleep routine that will help you to get the best possible rest. I’m passionate about good quality sleep! Commit to turning off screens an hour before you go to bed, consider taking an epsom salts bath a few nights a week and do something relaxing before bed, like reading or drawing. Adequate sleep is essential for good health, so keep your room as dark as possible, get the temperature right and try something like a short meditation before drifting off to sleep.
Exercise
So you’re eating more and sleeping more, but you still need to get your body moving, no matter what the weather. I know it can feel like the last thing you want to do, so take a cue from the seasons and do something less energetic than a ten mile run or pushing weights in the gym. Exercises like yoga, tai chi or pilates will keep your energy moving, keep you supple and mobile, but won’t put undue strain on your body. If you have time to walk in the fresh air each day, so much the better. At weekends a gentle bike ride through nature will reset your batteries. Your body and mind will thank you for it.