Self-Care Tips to Thrive in Winter

Some await winter to get sun-soaked, curl up under a warm blanket, and enjoy warm cups of coffee and soup, while others see the winter season as the arrival of flaky, dry skin, chapped lips, and cracked heels.

Besides worsening skin conditions, winter also aggravates your cardiological health, diabetes, arthritis, and respiratory issues. So, what can be done to deal with such winter huddles to enjoy the season in the best possible way?

As winter approaches, let’s take a look at some self-care tips to maintain good health and thrive through the season to enjoy it to the fullest.

Embrace the Hygge Lifestyle

Winter is the best time to embrace the hygge lifestyle. By Hygge, it implies creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life amidst good people. The concept of Hygge is regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture that centers around warmth, coziness, and well-being. You can create a hygge atmosphere by making your home cozy and comfortable.

Here are some healthy tips for winter to follow a hygge lifestyle:

• Create a cozy and inviting home environment – Make a cozy corner at home or deck up your bedroom with fluffy blankets, pillows, candles, and comforting decorations to soak in the relaxed feeling.
• Stay focussed on the modest pleasures of life – Things like spending time with a good book, sipping a cup of warm tea, and enjoying a lazy and relaxed afternoon. These are the things that bring joy to your lives.
• Disconnect from technology for a while – Try to distance yourself from technology. Rather than connecting through social media, try to meet people over a cup of coffee or a meal.
• Spend as much time as possible with your loved ones – Social life is another focus of a hygge lifestyle. Try to spend as much time with your near and dear ones as possible by hosting dinners, enjoying meaningful discussions, and sharing thoughts and emotions.
• Go out and explore nature – Enjoy the winter sun in the outdoors and connect with nature. Despite the cold weather, being outdoors under the sun can be invigorating.
• Enjoy your comfort food – The idea of relishing your comfort food is highlighted in Hygge. So, cook and share meals and relish them in the company of your loved ones.
• Practice mindfulness with meditation and yoga – Hygge emphasizes enjoying the simple pleasures in the present moment. The practice of meditation and yoga helps center your focus on the present.

Nourish Your Body

Along with setting a cozy environment for self-contentment, winter also marks the time to care for your body. To nurture your body, you need to follow a good and nutritious diet by including winter superfoods in your palate.

There is a list of nutritious winter foods that combat winter blues by supporting immune health. Let’s look at some of the winter superfoods to nourish you this winter.

• Pure Ghee – Pure ghee keeps your body warm by producing instant heat and energy. Consume in moderation to avoid dry and flaky skin.
• Sweet potatoes – This winter delight is rich in vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and nutrients. Consume regularly to cure constipation and build immunity.
• Amla – When it comes to a good source of immunity-boosting vitamin C, the Indian gooseberry (Amla) ranks at the top. Along with eating raw, Amla can be consumed in other forms, such as pickles, murabba, chutneys, candies, and juice.
• Dates – Dates are natural sweeteners packed with health benefits. They are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, calcium, and fibers. Consuming dates as morning or evening snack enhances stamina.
• Jaggery – Jaggery is the best sugar alternative and has a warming property. They are enriched with iron and act as lung cleansers for people living in highly polluted areas.
• Millets – Millets are high in fiber and low in glycemic. They are also packed with a range of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Hence, including millets like ragi and bajra in your winter diet is best.
• Cruciferous vegetables – Broccoli and cauliflower are some examples of Cruciferous vegetables packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They boost the body’s immune function and control sugar.
• Root vegetables – Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, and carrots are rich in beta carotene, fiber, potassium, manganese, B vitamins, and antioxidants. These veggies are a must-eat during winter.
• Nuts – The regular intake of nuts during winter keeps you warm and keeps your heart healthy. The nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Leafy greens like mustard leaves – Winter is the best time to gorge on the traditional sarso ka saag and makke ki roti. This is a tried and tested recipe for providing heat to your body during winter and replenishing the body with minerals and vitamins A, C, and K.

Together with healthy food, staying hydrated is also essential. So, maintain your body’s required water intake regardless of the cold weather.

Skincare and Protection

Winter is the time of cold weather and dry, flaky skin. Hence, your skin requires maximum protection during this season. This is because the colder the weather turns, the drier the skin becomes. Here are some winter skincare tips in a step-by-step guide to maintaining your winter skincare at home.

• Double cleanse your skin – To hydrate your skin better, use an oil as per your skin type and apply it on your skin every alternate night. Clean it in the morning using a mild cleanser.
• Exfoliate skin – Exfoliation is important to make your skin soft and supple. The process also removes dead skin. Do it twice a week.
• Use a Serum – Hydrating serum can nourish the skin and cure most skin issues. Try to use a serum containing hydraulic acid to retain moisture on your skin.
• Moisturise daily – The skin’s resistance power is less in the winter, especially in the harsh cold weather. So, you need more layers of moisturizer. Buy moisturizer containing SPF for enhanced benefit.
• Face mask – Face masks are excellent for hydrating skin. Try to use a face mask that is clean and non-drying on alternate days for 15-20 minutes.

Besides skincare, wearing protective layers of clothing is also important to avoid getting sick in the winter. So, wear woolen to cover yourself and keep you warm. Carry extra warm clothes like gloves and hats when traveling. However, be mindful of the layers of clothes you put on so that you do not choke yourself. Tight and uncomfortable clothes might affect the circulation of your blood.

Physical Well-being

Though we tend to get lazier during the winter months, this is when you should get more exercise to strengthen your muscles. Exercising in winter helps the body burn calories and produce heat.

There are many indoor and outdoor activities that you may carry on during winter:

• Brisk walking
• Indoor exercises
• Yoga and meditation
• Zumba
• Dance
• Outdoor games like badminton, basketball
• Cycling, etc.

Exercise will not only lift your energy level but also enhance your mood and balance your mind-body connection for mental well-being during winter.

Quality Sleep

Make your bedroom a sanctuary, a calming place where you can relax completely over a good night’s sleep. Transform your bedroom into a cozy and sleep-friendly space. Try to create and follow a sleep routine. It is vital to maintain a consistent sleep schedule for overall well-being. Good sleep boosts your brain power and mood.

Lack of sleep on a regular basis may increase the risk of many diseases like heart disease, stroke, obesity, and dementia. Hence, good sleep is another important aspect of self-care to remember during winter.

Conclusion:

As discussed above, self-care is the best way to thrive in the winter season. Here is a quick glance at the key self-winter care tips to embrace this winter for your overall well-being.

• Stay Hydrated: Always keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water, juice, and soups.
• Protect Your Skin: Indulge in a skincare routine to keep damaged and dry skin away
• Bundle Up: Dress in layers and wear warm clothing, gloves, and hats.
• Mindful Nutrition: Choose nourishing, warming foods to support your immune system.
• Create a Cozy Space: Add blankets, cushions, and warm lighting to your living space.
• Warm Baths and Showers: Enjoy warm baths or showers with moisturizing products.
• Stay Active Indoors: Engage in home workouts, yoga, or dance to stay active.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Incorporate mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, to reduce stress and promote relaxation during winter.
• Prioritize Sleep: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule and create a comfortable sleep environment.
• Boost Your Immunity: Consume immune-boosting foods like citrus fruits and ginger.
• Cultivate Hygge Moments: Create warm and intimate moments with candles and loved ones.

Prioritizing self-care is of prime importance for yourself and your family. With the above winter health tips, try to make the most of this year’s winter season. In addition, you may also avail of an all-inclusive health insurance cover to add extra protection for yourself and your family to stay covered through the winter season.

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