5 Simple Ways to Look After Yourself During the Winter Months
Winter can be a time where we fall in to bad habits and where we don’t look after ourselves very well.
Our energy levels can crash and we can feel sluggish. It can feel like we are battling the harsh winter elements outside whilst waking up in the dark and getting home from work in the dark.
The amount of winter light we get can get can be little and some of us can even suffer with the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD). The winter blues can kick in and our motivation and energy levels can take a big hit alongside our mental and physical health.
Looking after yourself can feel a bit draining and bad habits can start to work their way into your daily life.
Habits are the small decisions that you make and actions that you perform every day. Forming habits before winter sets in will be really beneficial to your physical and mental health; that way when winter arrives you will already be in a good pattern at looking after yourself.
Forming habits can sound easy, but so is falling out of habitual routines. In winter it is easy to make excuses as to why you have not done something ‘it’s too cold, it’s too wet, I don’t have the energy, etc’. But winter is one of the most challenging times both physically and mentally and when you really need to look after yourself.
How to form habits to look after yourself
Looking after yourself is about forming healthy habits.
Make your habits you want obvious, grab the exercise mat and roll it out you will be much more motivated to exercise if you see you mat, Plan to only do a small bit of exercise and build it up as you get fitter and stronger, fill up your water bottle and set a timer to drink it by, grab your book and plan to only read just one page; these are just a few examples.
You want to make the habits attractive to you so that you can look after yourself. Think about what you struggle with in winter and how you can implement small changes into your weekly routine that will help you look after yourself.
Here are our 5 simple ways that you can help look after yourself this winter
.1.
Winter Exercise
Look After Yourself
Exercising in winter is one of the most beneficial things that you can do to look after yourself. We tend to do a lot a lot less physical activity in the winter and this can have a negative impact upon both your mental and physical health.
Whilst there are a variety of reasons to put exercising off such as the cold, the wet weather, the lack of light, the travelling to the gym, lack of motivation; there are a variety of reasons.
Why not consider an online exercise subscription or follow YouTube to keep those winter blues away?
Exercise is so beneficial to both you mental and physical health it can help improve sleep, boost your confidence and self-esteem, improve your mood and motivation, reduce depression, increases your energy, help keep a healthy weight, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to name but a few of the benefits. It really is a great way to look after yourself.
Reduce the chances of avoiding exercise. Schedule it in a couple times a week (at a minimum) and build up as you get fitter and stronger. Make sure that you have an exercise mat ready, some yoga blocks, appropriate clothing and footwear. Prepare for the exercise that you want to do so that you don’t have the excuse to not do it.
Exercise Subscriptions to check out:
*Alo Moves
* Apple Fitness +
* Gaia
* Les Mills
.2.
Hydration Matters
Look After Yourself
Staying hydrated can be one aspect over looked during winter, yet it is one of the most important things that you can do to look after yourself.
Our bodies are made up of between 55-60% (approx.) of water. Water is required to help support cells, tissues, organs and is vital for maintaining temperature, removing waste and lubricating your joints.
So how much water should you be drinking each day to look after yourself? The aim is to drink around 6-8, 8-ounces of glasses of water a day.
Signs that you might be suffering from dehydration include:
– Dry mouth
– Sleepiness and/or fatigue
– Headache
– Dark urine
– Confusion
– Dizziness /light headiness
How to stay hydrated in winter to look after yourself:
Set a drinking water goal
To help look after yourself, set a timer every hour and do you r best to consume the amount of water that you need. Being conscious of your water intake will help you be more mindful and aware of what your body requires.
Warm it up
Switch to healthy warm drinks such as green tea, cinnamon tea and hot chocolates.
Eat hydrating food
Embrace the fruit! Watermelons, Strawberries, Oranges, Apples, Blueberries, Peaches, Cucumber, Lettuce to name a few.
Buy a refillable water bottle
Our go to bottle at Soapfullness is the Klean Kanteen bottles. With a wide variety to choose from there is something for everything. Their bottles can keep drinks cold or warm and it is a greasy way to keep track of your water intake and a great way to look after yourself.
.3.
Candles and Wax Melts
Look After Yourself
Whilst there are many ways to actively look after yourself, taking time to slow down and recharge is equally as important. Winter can throw a lot of challenges our way and at times we may fine them overwhelming both physically and mentally.
Looking after yourself during winter is vital. Take the time to make some self-care time. It doesn’t need to be anything time consuming or expensive. It can be as easy as putting some candles or wax melts on and enjoying the peace, warmth, stillness that comes with it.
Candles and wax melts are the perfect way to look after yourself. Their aromas can uplift and enhance any room that they are in. They are personal, unique and affordable. Their aromas can have an impact upon your mood and motivation.
At Soapfullness we have a gorgeous collection of both self-care candles and wax melts for you to chose from to help look after yourself in a guilt free way. We have unique fragrances and our products are handmade from soy wax which is a natural wax which provides beautiful long clean burns (no scoot).
.4.
Skin Care Matters
Look After Yourself
Our skin is our biggest organ and makes up 15% of our body weight. It protects the outside world from our inside world. Our skin protects against germs, viruses, infections, bacteria and fungi. Taking care of it is one of the best ways to help take care of yourself.
During winter our skin experiences some of the harshest elements of winter, the cold, harsh winds, indoor heating, and these elements can suck the moisture out of your skin. When your skin become dry its not only uncomfortable but it is breaking down the healthy barrier that helps to protect you.
Take care of yourself this winter and take good care of your skin. Read Caroline Hirons book, search online and read about your skin type.
Remember to moisturise when you skin is damp so that it can lock in the hydration and leave your skin feeling beautiful.
Skin can have a big impact upon how you look and feel so take good care of your skin this winter.
.5.
Lastly, the Wim Hof Method
Look After Yourself
Cold therapy. Does the thought make you shudder? We totally get you but the science and the benefits behind the Wim Hof method is real and it is incredibly beneficial.
Never practice the Wim Hof Breathing method near water, driving or any where that isn’t safe. Please read up fully on the method before practicing.
There are three pillars to the Wim Hof Method Breathing, Cold Therapy and Commitment. Trying the Wim Hof method as a one off just won’t work. You need to be committed to the method to see the results.
First the breathing pillar, the benefit of this pillar is heightening the body’s oxygen levels which results in more energy, reduced stress levels, greater immunity.
’’ By practicing the breathing exercises, you are releasing more energy, influencing your nervous system and changing various physiological responses.’’
The second pillar is Cold Therapy which boasts a whole range of health benefits such as reduced inflammation, balanced hormones, improved sleep, improve metabolism, boost immune system, put you in better mood due to the production of endorphins. Cold therapy boosts your cardiovascular circulation which is beneficial for a healthy heart and well-balanced mental health.
Lastly and very importantly is the commitment pillar, without this pillar you would not be able to perform and experience the breathing exercises and cold therapy consistently and reap the benefits that the Wim Hof method provides. This is a crucial step as cold therapy requires patients and dedication.
To a lot of people cold therapy or the Wim Hof Method can be overwhelming. The thought of exposing your body to the stress of the cold can instantly get people to shut down and say ‘no thank you’ before experiencing what the benefits are.
But to benefit from such a method we have to push ourselves outside our comfort zones. The Wim Hof method is magical, transformational and so incredibly beneficial to mind and body. Whilst we can talk about the methods and benefits here, there is nothing like experiencing it for yourself. Once you do that you will understand why the method is so incredibly popular.
We highly recommend checking Wim Hof’s YouTube, Wim Hof’s free mini class which you can sign up to and his wonderful book.
This is a truly amazing way to take care of yourself.
♥ Our Wax Melts are Made with 100% natural soy wax.
This means that our Soy Melts are non-toxic, strong scent throwing, clean burning.
♥ Our Soy Melts are long lasting and will last up to 90 hours (approx.), making them excellent value for money.
♥At Soapfullness we do our upmost to use recycled and recyclable materials for our packaging.
