As we enter a new decade, there is no better time to partake in a little self-care. As winter rolls on, it can be tricky to keep your mind and body in tip-top condition. Cold weather, blustery winds, and the occasional snowball thrown your way can seriously disrupt your interest in self-improvement; more often than not, they just make you want to curl up indoors alone. This comprehensive guide should provide some easy tips that you can follow this year to have your best health year yet!
Improve your sleep habits
Most associate snow, cold temperatures, and the holiday season with winter, but in reality, winter is just a giant health trap. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, many people change their sleeping habits. While you may tell yourself that four hours a night is plenty, it certainly is not. Sleep is a time for the body to restore itself and prepare for the next day. Not getting enough sleep can have some serious impacts on your health.
When the seasons change, so does your body. As you begin to get exposed to less sunlight, your body’s schedule (also known as the circadian rhythm) is disrupted. When your rhythm is interrupted, your brain is not sure when to tell your body that it should be tired. This can cause problems like fatigue, oversleeping, and insomnia.
Get moving
The best way to keep your body in rhythm is to stay active and try to exercise. We know that getting exercise, especially in cold temps, is difficult, but trust us: it will do wonders for your health! Staying active will help regulate your levels of fatigue, and getting outside will allow your body to suppress melatonin in the day time and keep you feeling energized.
Add humidity
Your body’s internal rhythm is not the only thing disrupting your sleep health, however. In the winter, the air in houses tends to be drier and cooler, but sleeping in an overly dry environment can be difficult. Consider using a humidifier this winter to combat overly dry conditions. Also, if you find that your room is too cold at night, we recommend that you read up on our guide to winter sleep here. Just burrowing in with a few cozy blankets can keep you from tossing and turning all night.
Treat yo self 2020
If you’re not already practicing a little self-care (you should be), winter is a great time to start! When the weather gets cold and dry, it can have unfavorable effects on your appearance, causing issues with your skin, hair, and more. Treat yourself this winter to keep looking and feeling your best.
Adopting a new routine can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. When creating your routine, conduct a mirror check to see what areas of your appearance you would like to address.
Skin
When examining your skin, be sure to look for dryness. As the air gets arid both outside and inside this winter, it can severely dry your skin. If you find that every time you get out of the shower, your skin is beat red and that the mirror is fogged up, it might be time to take cooler showers. Hot water, despite being luxurious on cold days, can be extremely taxing on the skin and lead to dryness.
Also, the products you are using daily could be damaging your skin even more. Do some research on what ingredients can cause dry skin to avoid a load of other problems related to dryness, ranging from acne to eczema. Make sure to treat your skin this winter to keep looking bright and healthy.
Hair
As you continue to evaluate your appearance, take a deep look at your hair health, and be sure to look for dry, damaged hair. The unforgiving winter conditions can cause your hair and scalp to become dry and flaky. You don’t want to have to second guess if that is snow on your shoulders or dandruff. During the drier months of the year, consider washing your hair less often and using products specifically for a dry scalp that can help boost overall hair and scalp health.
Besides dry hair, you may notice that your hair is not as full as it used to be. If you realize that your hair is thinning, don’t panic! It doesn’t mean you are destined to be the next Mr. Clean. There are many ways you can fight against hair loss. Adopting a new hairstyle can do wonders when your hair is not looking as full as it used to be. If trying out a new hairstyle isn’t enough, look into using treatments that prevent hair loss. Whatever route you take, addressing the problem is the first step when treating your thinning hair.
Clean home, clean mind
While being a homebody is comfortable, staying in your house can be extremely taxing on your mental health. As winter drags on, it can be tough to want to leave the house to go out into the cold. When you’re stuck inside, being productive can help mitigate some of the restlessness you will experience.
Declutter your home
A dirty, cluttered house can cause mental health issues such as stress and anxiety. Tackling your home clutter will make you feel productive and can be helpful when feeling down. Take a weekend to give your home a deep cleanse and then stay on top of it for the rest of the year. When cleaning your home, do a complete overview of every room. Sometimes we forget to clean some of the most common areas of the house.
Deep clean the refrigerator
When conducting your deep clean, check your fridge and other areas of the kitchen for odors. You never know what you might find. If you find some cranberries buried in the back of your fridge from Christmas, it may be time to invest in a refrigerator deodorizer or even a natural charcoal deodorizer.
Here’s to an amazing 2020!
This guide is just meant to jumpstart your year in health. If you need more inspiration on how to lead a happier, healthier 2020, check out the rest of our blog!