5 Top Tips for Winter Wellness
Winter wellness can be tough. We can all feel a bit blah, less energised, lethargic, un-motivated. The winter blues can certainly feel mentally and physically draining.
The lack of sunlight coupled with the long dark nights is certainly a transition that many of us can struggle with.
Even though we might get longer in bed losing that sunlight can be hard as we have less sunlight to regulate our circadian rhythm and the sleep-wake cycle and why winter wellness is vital.
Here at Soapfullness we are all about embracing health and happiness. We need to recognise the days that we struggle and be kind to ourselves.
Sometime it can be hard to cave out some self-care time, but with small easy changes these winter months can be a little easier on you. Here are our 5 Tips for Winter Wellness:
1. Get Outside
Winter Wellness
Winter wellness doesn’t have to be about going to the gym.
Instead, warp up warm, put comfy waterproof footwear on and head out for a winters walk. Whilst our environments might be a little colourless and bleak at this time of year, take in the stillness, the quietness, the fresh air hitting your face and reset your mind.
Winter can be tough, but it can also provide many beautiful moments too.
Whilst the sun doesn’t provide enough UBV radiation in winter for our skin to make Vitamin D (Find more info out on the NHS site), we can still get physical and mental benefits from being outside.
Physical activity can help reduce fatigue, increase optimism, self-esteem, helps reduce stress, helps improve sleep quality and help our bodies stay fit and healthy. Something we all need, especially in winter!
Scheduling time outdoors is vital for both your physical and mental health and winter wellness.
2. Exercise Indoors
Winter Wellness
Ok, we all have days where it is a little too much effort to leave the house. But instead of sitting around schedule in some exercise. Access free fitness videos via Youtube, we are big fans of MadFit, Mady Morrison and the PsycheTruth.
Alternatively, there are some fantastic paid options such as Gloyoga, Gaia and Yoga International.
Sometimes it can be hard to get into the mindset to exercise within your home, but once you just start you will feel amazing for it!
You can exercise in a place which you feel comfortable, a place where hopefully your anxiety is low, a place where you feel free of judgement.
You can create your exercise space to how you wish. You don’t have to worry about germs and cleanliness. It’s the perfect excuse to stay in but also take care of your mental and physical well-being.
3. Take care of your Skin
Tips for Winter Wellness
Winter can be slightly brutal on our bodies from dry skin, to cracked lips, hands and feet, to dull hair, its vital that you take care of your body and embrace some winter wellness.
As we know in winter the air is much direr and colder which means that your skin loses its ability to hold moisture which makes it feel drier and tighter.
Due to the lower humidity and lower temperatures, it decreases the function of the skin barrier, this in turn means your skin is also more susceptible to wear and tear and becomes more reactive to skin irritants and allergens.
Helping your skin in winter is a vital part of winter wellness. It is an easy adjustment which can take just a few minutes of your time. Ideally you want to find a moisturiser which is a cream or an ointment based due to their oil content which helps lock in moisture and protect from the winter elements better.
In winter we want to help our skin by sealing the moisture and water into our skin so that it becomes less dry and more hydrated.
The best time to apply moisturiser is after a warm bath or shower as your skin as it provides an artificial barrier that can help prevent water loss and seal in moisture whilst your skin is still damp.
This is a very easy winter wellness habit to form. Make sure that you keep your moisturiser near your shower to pop on after a shower or bath.
4. Embrace a Healthy Diet
Tips for Winter Wellness
Its easy to fall into eating unhealthy during the winter. Something which isn’t good for winter wellness. The winter months trigger biological changes which stimulate increase cravings and hunger for more energy-dense foods.
A study in the US found that on average caloric intake increased 86 Kcal especially in fats and saturated fats during autumn compared to spring. This time period also saw that physical activity was less during the winter than the spring.
Help yourself out this winter and sit down and write meal and snack plans. Obviously allow yourself to embrace cravings in a moderate and healthy manor. Embrace winter wellness and help nourish your body.
Winter Foods to Embrace
Porridge
Have a healthy slow-release breakfast such as porridge and stay energised until lunchtime. Add some nuts, seeds or fruits to really increase the health benefit to your body and mind!
Soup
Stay full and hydrated by topping up on nutrient dense and high fibre vegetables with a side of whole-grain crackers. Help your body stay healthy and support your immune system by indulging in warming, filling, hydrating and delicious soups this winter.
Embrace Winter Root Vegetables
Add roasted veg as side dishes to your main meals. Help your body by providing it with vitamins A and C with the added boost of beta-carotene which these vegetables contain.
Include dairy products…
Dairy products are packed with a lot of Vitamins B12 and A, proteins and calcium which can also help boost your mental health. Embracing low-fat plain yoghurts decrease the calorie intake, so make great go to snacks.
5. Hygge your Home this Winter
Winter Wellness
Winter wellness is vital for our mental and physical wellbeing. With the shorter days and longer darker nights we tend to spend more time indoors.
Creating a space which makes us feel relaxed, cosy, comfortable and happy is a must this winter. Here are a few of our tips to help achieve hygge in your home:
1. Candles or Wax Melts
Here at Soapfullness we hand-make products which we hope that you will simply fall in love with.
Our goal is to help with winter wellness and help uplift and enhance your room with the most enticing aromas.
Sit back and watch the soul soothing flickers from a flame. It’s peaceful, meditative, relaxing and simply beautiful.
Candles or wax melts are the perfect way to create a beautiful space to relax in.
Science has proven that scent can have a big impact upon our mood and well-being.
Come check out our self-care candles out which are cruelty free, blended with essential oils and created with Soy Wax for long, clean and wonderful burns. Our candles make any room smell divine.
2. Cosy blanket
Is there anything better than switching off on the sofa with a good book or Netflix wrapped in a beautiful warming blanket? It’s the perfect winter wellness strategy!
Now is the perfect time invest in a beautiful blanket which will get you through the winter months so that you can embrace some cosiness and warmth.
3. House Plants
Green, good looking and can help improve our health. What is not to love?
In the winter months when the colour around us can seem dull and a bit bland, create a home space with some colourful green plants.
We admit that we have a few faviourite houseplant suppliers Hutch and Mella’s Jungle are two of our go to houseplant shops!
4. Good food and drink
Shop local! Winter can be a tough time for many and supporting local businesses is vital. You can indulge and find many treats that you many never have come across before.
Explore farmers markets or local farm shops, try new products allow yourself a little self-indulgence!
5. Comfy clothing – winter socks
get cosy at home with super comfortable clothing. Baggy Pj’s are a must alongside winter socks and slippers! Embrace the winter at home whilst you are all snuggly and cosy!
6. Good books or tv shows
Sit back and make some ‘me’ time. Find a book that you have been wanting to read or even go against the grain and watch a feel good tv show/movie.
7. Warmth
Winter warmth. There is nothing that beats being warm and cosy in winter.
So, whether you have a fire crackling away or wrapped up in a beautiful blanket, hygge is about creating warmth and cosiness in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. The ultimate winter wellness.
At Soapfullness we hand made beautiful products which we hope will leave you feeling cosy and happy. We create handmade self-care candles, soy wax melts and our hand-crafted soaps. W e hope you will find our lovely products rather beneficial this winter.
