Winter is the perfect time to change up your everyday routine in the name of self-care
As the cold wind blows, with it comes the dehydrating effects of Winter along with reduced motivation and an undeniable urge to hibernate under the doona. But Winter is the perfect time to change up your everyday routine in the name of self-care, to better nurture and protect yourself from the aggressors that come with this season and make the most out of each day.
Small adjustments to our exercise, diet, skincare and sleep patterns can dramatically impact how well you feel as a whole, and these small adjustments are actually much easier to implement than you may think. They can enable your skin to glow through dreary days, allow you to draw on motivation that normally fleets and set yourself up to maintain a healthy immune system to ward off common bugs that are prevalent during Winter.
So snuggle up and read on as these easy lifestyle tweaks can make you feel Winter wonderful!
Eat
Our natural inclination during the chilly months is to ditch the salads and eat up more warming meals... and you absolutely should! But be sure to dodge fatty fried foods and lean more towards hearty soups, casseroles and roasted vegetable based dishes. Ayurvedic practices encourage everyone to modify their diet, exercise and lifestyle in line with the changing seasons to best strengthen the immune system and promote optimal energy levels. Choose more protein-rich meals for sustained energy and incorporate warming spices such as cinnamon, clove, chilli and pepper to boost your circulation and metabolism.
Drink
Drink – Cold water is boring – that's a well known fact. But warm water with fresh lemon, herbal tea or a superfood elixir added is delicious! Try consuming lukewarm water or these flavour options to help boost your hydration internally, and you'll see a knock-on effect with glowing and hydrated skin. You'll be surprised at how much more water you will happily consume when it tastes great.
Chase the Sun
Aim to top up your essential Vitamin D when you can with some fun in the sun (between grey days). Rugging up and braving the cold is invigorating, especially if that time outdoors is paired with light exercise. The dose of natural sunlight, even 10 minutes on your lunch break, delivers huge benefits to you sense of well-being and happiness through the release of serotonin. This feel-good happiness hormone spikes with moderate sunlight exposure to lift your mood and evoke good vibes for your day. Just be sure to apply a good sunscreen to your face and any exposed skin as we know harmful UV is about rain, hail or shine.
Skincare
Spring is a great time to rejuvenate your skincare habits, but similarly Winter is too. With the drying effects of heating, wind and cold ravaging your skin, now is the best time to invest in some skincare alterations. Fend off dehydration, flaking, sensitivity and even conditions such as eczema or dermatitis with more rich, replenishing and hydrating formulations. Facial oils work wonders to deliver antioxidants and add vital nourishment to your current moisturiser, and are an easy way to step up your regime. Likewise, a creamy moisture mask will boost hydration for a more glowing complexion. And nothing beats a good body exfoliation to boost circulation, eradicate dull skin and reveal luminous skin radiance. Reach for a body brush or granular body scrub and work in upward circular motions to support lymphatic drainage and slought those dry, dead skin cells away.
TLC
Grey skies and rainy days make the perfect conditions for self-care days. So take this opportunity to dive into a relaxing bath or invigorating shower to start the process of nurturing yourself a little more. Set the water temperature to a comfortable warm without having it too hot, as although it may feel good, hot water over dries the skin and can cause capillary damage. Smother a replenishing mask over your skin and target dry areas of the body with a suitable treatment. Dry and dehydrated hands, elbows and knees love a deeply nourishing treat like Weleda's Skin Food and Elizabeth Arden's 8hr Cream. And when a little extra protection with repair for fragile skin is needed, go for the natural superheroes of The Beauty Chef's Flora Fix Balm, Lanolips 101 Ointment and Black Chicken Remedies Balm Of Ages.
Winter is a great time to pay more attention on yourself by really tuning in to what your body needs. Be that a little more sleep so head to bed earlier, some gentle exercise like yoga, or more warming meals in your tummy, be sure to roll with that desire and enjoy the crispness that these cooler months have to offer.
Where do we begin... Yvette opened the doors to 'Escape' in 1999, a stunning beauty sanctuary filled with candle light, comfy treatment beds and where serious skincare took place. Fast forward with many sleepless nights and gutsy decision making along the way to Activeskin HQ, where Yvette still slips into the salon to consult with her first clients. Years of close customer interactions lead Yvette to wanting more than a cold online presence, which is why Activeskin is the leading beauty destination with real beauty experts at the helm. Her superpower is getting ready in 6 minutes flat (yep, mascara and all!) and her weakness is a vitamin B serum, probably expertly layered to maximise efficacy of course!