From skincare rituals to cosy mental hacks, here’s how to level up your winter wellness game and feel amazing all season long.
Winter can make it difficult to prioritise your self-care habits. However, the cold weather means it is most important to prioritise winter wellness, to help you feel like your best self on the inside and out.
Here are some of the best self-care habits to include in your winter routine to keep it as a priority.
Winter Skincare
During the colder weather, we can sometimes forget the importance of prioritising skin care, not just for your face but your body as well. It is at these times that it is most crucial we pay attention to what our skin needs, which will usually be extra moisture considering the cold can easily dry us out. Here are the best skincare tips for winter:
Moisturise
Hydrating your skin is key during cold days as these, as well as hotter showers, can be drying to your skin.
For your face, a thicker moisturiser is a great choice, such as the CeraVe Moisturising Cream – an affordable option that will keep your skin smooth and supple.
For your body, the Dove Body Love range is great for adding that extra moisture and a fresh, natural scent as well. Apply after showering to lock in the moisture you receive from the water and keep it lasting all day, no matter how low the temperature drops.
Serums
Adding in some extra skincare serums to your daily routine is a great idea during the colder weather. Hyaluronic acid is a suitable option, as a humectant that attracts and retains moisture. The Ordinary hyaluronic acid is easy and affordable, whilst also containing all the benefits the serum promotes.
Hydration from within
Even though it is cold outside, it’s still important to drink enough water each day to keep your skin smooth and supple. You could also gain this hydration by drinking cozy, hot teas when the weather has dropped that little bit too much.
Exfoliation
This is important all year round, but in winter, it becomes more useful in allowing the removal of any dry, dead skin. Exfoliating your face with a gentle exfoliating wash such as Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant will help with rejuvenating and refreshing the skin. For your body, a gentle exfoliating scrub one to two times a week with an exfoliating mitt is also great in allowing for the removal of dead skin cells that usually form much quicker with hotter shower temperatures and lower weather ones. The Tree Hut scrubs are gorgeous with their clean scents and moisturising exfoliation.
Winter Diet
The cold weather calls for warm and comforting foods like soups and roasts. It can also mean there is heavier reliance on food in keeping warm during the day, yet this is a time where prioritising health and food choices is important to avoid making unhealthy choices just because the days are shorter and colder. There are so many great nutritious meal options that are also great for the cold weather. Any vegetable soup, like minestrone or pumpkin soup will keep you feeling cozy and warm and provide many nutritional benefits with the various vegetables in each.
Hearty meals like steak or roast chicken with roasted vegetables are also great in supporting your immune system health, important during wintertime. They will provide many benefits to help with your bodily functions overall, and your digestive system will thank you later when you feel fulfilled after your meal.
Winter Tea Rituals
What better way to warm up than with a hot cup of your favourite tea. Pick out your favourite mug, boil some hot water and pull out your honey. Tea is not only a cosy winter treat, but also a great detoxifier and relaxant. It’s a great way to calm yourself, especially after a long, stressful and cold day.
Some of the best teas, especially for winter, include T2’s various options. Peppermint and Lemongrass and Ginger are great ones aiming for detox and aiding digestion. They also offer a variety of sweet, dessert-like teas such as Sticky Honey Chai and Creme Brulee, great for an after dinner treat. Sipping on a tea is the best way to end your winter’s day and a big part of your wellness routine in order to destress and relax in getting ready for bed.
Winter Wellbeing
Whilst winter has its benefits it is no secret that it can take a toll on our mental health. The days are shorter and colder, making it harder to get out of bed in the mornings and commit to work or the gym and prioritising yourself. It is important to remember all the great things about winter, like how there is more opportunity to stay in and watch a movie cozied up with a cup of hot chocolate and how sleep becomes a much more frequent task.
There are many things you can do to look after your mental health during winter and practice self-care.
Treat yourself to new bedding and pyjamas
What better time to treat yourself than at the beginning of the colder months. Buy a fresh set of pyjamas to get you through the cold nights and mornings, and a new, thick blanket to contain your warmth. This will guarantee to boost your mood and help with any unmotivated feelings that typically arise during the cold days.
Spend time journaling
A great way to take some time for yourself and prioritise your mental health. Write about your day and what you did each night, highlighting the positives to finish off the day on a high note, or even have a rant about the negatives so you feel more cleansed and detoxed after. Or start your days by writing about what you want to achieve and what you’re grateful for, to boost your motivation and help you through the hardest part of winter days, the morning. The Five minute Journal is not unheard of and is a great way to get your brain wheels working with the short prompts you must answer. It also gives you both a morning and night page, so that you can start and end your day on a calm and motivated note.
Winter Candlelit Comfort
Candles in winter are another addition to the cosiness of the icy cold days that just add to relaxing and warm vibes. They are a great form of winter wellness through their dimly lit light and allow for relaxation and an inviting atmosphere. Some of the best include any of the Glasshouse candles, particularly Pumpkin Spiced Cake and Arabian Nights. Both are vastly different yet each creates a warm, cosy feel with their intensely deep scents.
The Bath and Body Works Winter 3-Wick Candle is another great option which will add all the cosy feels. Light this one up when you’re beginning your night routine to fill your home with a gorgeous subtle scent that will emit relaxation and a stress-free atmosphere. Candles can be a significant addition to your winter wellness routine in aiding this relaxed environment and allowing for the full relaxing and cosy experience.
