Just like we adjust our wardrobes as the seasons change, our self-care routines need a seasonal touch-up too.
Scientific studies show that seasonal variations in daylight, temperatures, and weather conditions affect us tremendously. Our mood, metabolism, hormone balance, and sleep patterns all change with seasonal cycles. Daily self-care routines help us stay happy and healthy. So when seasons change, it's time to switch up our self-care habits to restore the harmony between our body and the natural world around us. It doesn't have to be complicated. These eight simple cold-weather wellness tips will help you brave the chill as winter rolls in.
1. DRY BRUSHING
Dry brushing is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that has been around for centuries. This simple technique involves running natural bristles over the skin in gentle strokes. A combo of exfoliation, light massage, and dry brushing helps remove dead skin cells and toxins, unclog pores, reduce cellulite, encourage blood circulation, relieve stress, boost your immune system, and increase energy. It also takes you into a meditative state by bringing your undivided attention to your body.
TIP: Add your favorite True Self Aroma to the palm of your hand. Glide the bristles of a dry brush across your palm, saturating them with the essential oil blend. Start by brushing your feet and work your way upward, always brushing in the direction of the heart.
2. WALK MORE
Nothing clears the head like going for a walk when the air is crisp and cold. Replacing your short drives with walks is a beautiful way to get fresh air, natural light, and exercise during the cold months.
TIP: Try walking meditation. Set an intention for your walk. Inhale the True Self Aroma blend that best fits your purpose. Walk paying attention to your emotions, thoughts, and memories AND to the signs from Universe (birds, animals, plants, flowers, rocks, and feathers) that show up along your way.
3. SOAK IN HOT BATHS (AS A SPECIAL TREAT)
Yes, we all need to be mindful of our water use. But what is the most relaxing way to take the chill out of winter? Make it a special ritual: run a hot bath and soak for 20 minutes. Add bath salts for additional detoxification benefits and deliver minerals to your body: Epson sals, Dead Sea Salt, and Magnesium Flakes are especially beneficial.
TIP: Set your intention and soothe your senses with a naturally scented candle. Add a crystal to your (any quartz is a great idea) and your favorite essential water/hydrosol (up to 1 cup) to increase circulation, purify and soothe your skin. If you use Energy Shield - add it to your bathtub for the extra benefit of energy cleansing.
4. WINTER-PROOF YOUR SLEEP
Winter is a time to rest, relax and prepare for the following year. Everything in nature slows down and even hybernates, and so should we. It is not normal to perform and deliver all year round - it is a recipe for burnout. Notice that as days become shorter and we have fewer daylight hours, our bodies produce more melatonin, making us feel sleepy. To avoid feeling tired and sluggish, get 8 hours of sleep and stick to a fixed daily bedtime.
TIP: Don’t overheat your bedroom not to wake up sweating. Inhale True Self Tranquility Aroma before bedtime and spray Lavender hydrosol around the room and on the bed linen for yourself and the kids. Or add hydrosols directly to your diffuser and skip the essential oils ;)
5. SLURP YOUR WAY THROUGH THE WINTER BLUES
Nothing warms up our bodies from the inside out better than nourishing soups and broths.
TIP: Cook a comforting winter soup with local organic leafy and root veggies. And try to make your chicken or beef bone broth. It is so easy and rewarding!
6. CARE FOR YOUR SKIN (ESPECIALLY YOUR HANDS)
The cold weather can be harsh on our skin, so swap your lightweight moisturizer for a more intensive product to avoid dryness and flakiness. Also, consider switching to deeply nourishing shower foams or oils that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Our hands are exposed to cold and need extra care and protection, so ensure you always carry a hand balm to keep them hydrated.
TIP: Avoid synthetically fragranced creams and lotions. Remember that synthetic fragrance is a potential toxin and allergen for your body! Choose unscented products or naturally scented with herbs and essential oils.
7. HAVE A WINTER GARDEN
Fresh air and fresh veggies do wonders for our well-being. Edibles like garlic, leeks, onions, radishes, kale, and spinach are not just super healthy. They also winter hardy. Not a gardener? Start an indoor mini garden with a few planters of culinary herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage.
TIP: Add your fresh herbs to soups, broths, roasted chicken, and veggies. Or brew as tea infusions and sip for an extra immunity boost.
8. UNPLUG FROM YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER
Our smartphones and other devices can heighten winter depression, keep us locked indoors, and even mess with our sleep. Because we’re less active during winter, we can mindlessly scroll through social media on our smartphones more easily. So, now and then, lose yourself in a good book instead. Or gather around the table for a good old-fashioned board game. Playing board games doesn’t just make us happier—it makes us brainier, too. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that playing board games keeps our brains young and protects us from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
TIP: Light up an unscented or naturally scented candle to feel warm and cozy and create an atmosphere of relaxation.