Winter Wellness Guide
This winter, it’s more important than ever to look after yourself. With short days and cold weather, it can be easy for us to feel unmotivated. We’re sharing some top tips on how to keep up your self-care during the colder months.
1. Encourage your creative side
With the majority of England in Tier 2 or 3, and us spending most of our time at home, now is a great time to tap into your creativity, especially with Christmas coming up - one of your gifts could be a handmade creation. Arts and crafts are a great way to destress and get calm. There are many ways in which you can encourage your creative side such as drawing, coloring, knitting and painting. Any creative screen free activities, are the perfect way to take a break from your phone or laptop and explore a new hobby - The Good Trade have some great ideas: see more. Here are some of our favorite adult coloring books.
The Mindfulness Colouring Book: Anti-stress Art Therapy for Busy People (Paperback) - £7.99
2. Go for a walk
We normally associate winter with being dull and gloomy, especially in the UK. However, it is also important to remember that this season can be beautiful. As we go into the festive season, why not go for a walk and enjoy the Christmas decorations in your area. There’s nothing better than a walk on a crisp winters day ready to go home refreshed and appreciate the warmth.
3. Relax and get cosy
After that (slightly) chilly walk, you might feel the need to warm up and get cosy. Change into your pyjamas and snuggle up in a blanket to read a good book, put on your favourite TV show or watch a Christmas film?
4. Put on a face mask and have a bath
With this cold weather, our skin goes through a lot and tends to get dryer than in warmer months. If you’ve got a free hour or so, you could run a warm bath, light a candle and put on your favourite moisturising face mask. A warm bath makes your blood flow easier and more oxygenated by allowing you to breathe deeper and slower, when taking in steam, acting as the perfect way to de-stress. Here are some products we would recommend for the perfect night in!
5. Be kind to yourself
Take some time to meditate. Close your eyes, relax your mind, and take a few deep breaths. Think about all the things that you have accomplished this year, people you are grateful to have in your life, and the mere fact that you are alive and healthy. Remember to check in with yourself and thank yourself for going through a tough year. With a global pandemic going on, having survived the year is more than enough. Always remind yourself that you need to relax, rest and take care of yourself.
It can be difficult to meditate or take time to practice mindfullness if you’re new to it so here’s some handy guides:
Mediation | Breathing Exercises | Positive Affirmations | Self-Practice Instagram
6. Spend time with friends and family
Just like how the sunny weather can make us happy, the grey weather can also cause us to feel down and lonely. During this time, it’s important to stay connected with friends and family (within restrictions, of course). Whether it’s a walk around your local area, a zoom call, going out for a meal or staying in with a takeaway, spending quality time with our loved ones can certainly improve our mood and well-being.
7. Get more sunlight
The short days and long nights can be tough and the winter months can often cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is marked by the onset of depression or low moods in months when there is less sunlight. Exposing yourself to sunlight and vitamin-D, even for 20-30 minutes a day is certainly beneficial. Try to include going for a walk in the park into your daily routine and be sure to open your curtains or blinds and sit near the window to catch some rays.
8. Enjoy a hot drink
Having a cup of tea is a great way to keep you warm and relaxed on cold winter days. Drinking tea is also a great way to strengthen your immune system which we all need after this year. If you’re not a fan of regal English Breakfast tea, there’s plenty of flavours you could try all with different benefits. Earl Grey contains antioxidants, chamomile is recommended for its calming benefits and peppermint tea can improve digestion. Here are some of our favourite teas and recipes.
Nemi Teas:
Nemi Tea’s loose leaf teas come in biodegradable tubes. Teas come from a Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade certified Indian estate.
Check Out their Chai Latte Recipe
Good and Proper:
Good and Proper manufacture their tea in plastic free tea bags, made of Soilon (from cornstarch) which make them compostable.
Check Out their Jasmine Arnold Palmer Recipe
If you’ve got any other Winter Self-Care tips to share, add them in comments or drop us a DM on Instagram.