Adjusting to the winter months is never an easy task, especially when there are a million other things to be worried about. Before you know it, your skin is dry, you have an irritating cold and the days are dragging on. Not to worry! This winter, we are preparing in advance using my guide to protecting your body from winter before it creeps up on you.
Winter Skincare
Cold air and full-blast heat are enough to make anyone’s skin dry, which can lead to flakiness and breakouts. In order to avoid dry skin, it’s important to make sure that you are not stripping your skin of its natural oils. Cut your exfoliation back to twice a week and consider switching your foam cleanser for a cream based cleanser such as the Cerave Cream-To-Foam Cleanser. You can also introduce hydrating products into your routine such as the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream or The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid.
Humidifier
I cannot stress this enough – get a humidifier! Whether you have them throughout your living space or just in your bedroom, humidifiers not only help with dry skin, but also allergies, sinuses and keeping you from a sore throat. I recommend setting one up in your bedroom and having it run with the door closed for an hour before you head to bed.
Supplements
We can all use a little help, especially during the winter. While there are many supplements that support overall health, it is important to choose vitamins that are geared towards combatting winter.
Vitamin D- Although it is important to take vitamin D year round, the lack of sunlight and more time spent inside during winter calls for an added boost.
Vitamin C- With cold and flu season more prominent than ever, vitamin C will help strengthen your immune system and fight off the classic winter runny nose.
Zinc- In addition to vitamin C, Zinc is also a major helper in fighting sicknesses. It also can help decrease inflammation and stress in the body, which may come in handy when dealing with the stresses of Christmas shopping.
Exercise
Exercising when it is cold out is not always the most inviting task, but there are many alternatives that you can try to keep active through the winter.
- Swap your daily walk for a new activity. If you do not want to brave the cold, there are plenty of indoor activities that may push you out of your comfort zone. Keep moving by starting a new class such as spin, kickboxing, pilates or rock climbing.
- Try a more meditative practice. If you’re accustomed to high intensity training, a change in temperature may also be a good time for a change in pace. 30 minutes of stretching or yoga can improve mobility and prevent injury while also strengthening your muscles
- Embrace the cold! Put some extra layers on and try a winter activity such as snowshoeing, skating or skiing.
Winter Wellness Check
In addition to your physical health, it is extremely important to take care of your mental health in the winter. Whether it be journaling, redecorating your space or adding a few more blankets to your life, finding things that support your mental health through a challenging season is crucial. You can start by switching up your morning routine to adjust to the fact that it may still be dark when you wake up!
Taking care of your body and mind is more important than ever as winter approaches. In addition to this guide, you can also check out our other winter resources such as Prioritize Your Health This Winter and Comfort Food For Winter Blues.
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