We are in the thick of winter now and many of us are destined for cold temps until at least the end of March. Wintery conditions like below freezing temperatures require heat to be constantly blasting indoors and can lead to dry skin, chapped lips, irritated sinuses, and weakened immune systems.
Along with this, those cold temperatures (and now the current pandemic) are keeping people inside leading to a more sedentary lifestyle, less of a connection with nature, lower overall energy, and just feeling kind of “blah” somedays.
Yet winter does not have to be just something we hunker down and “get through”. These chilly months are full of as much opportunity for life and joy as any others. But staying well is a crucial part of enjoying this time of year fully. Read on for some easy to implement tips and tricks to embrace wellness this winter!
1.) Get a humidifier (or two) – This is one of those things that many of us know about but put off buying because we don’t think it was really going to make that big of a difference. BUT it does! Humidifiers can give your sinuses, skin, and even your hair some much-needed moisture during the cold and dry months. (Bonus… your houseplants will also benefit from the presence of a humidifier)
So don’t hesitate around this one! Get out there (or get on Amazon) and get yourself a nice humidifier today.
One of the best places to keep your humidifier is in your bedroom because you spend a lot of time there and it’s nice to provide moisture while your body is repairing itself overnight.
You can also get a smaller humidifier for your workspace since many of us are working from home and spending many hours each day in a dedicated space.
2.) Make the neti pot your new best friend – Neti pots are a part of ancient Ayurvedic tradition but weren’t mass marketed in the west until the 1970’s. We were definitely missing out on the great benefits of this nasal washing device until then. Now they are used more commonly and can be purchased in most stores and pharmacies.
If you never used one before it can seem scary, yet Neti pots are easy to get the hang of and have many benefits including helping with…
- Clearing the nostrils to allow free breathing
- Removing excess mucus
- Reducing pollen or allergens in nasal passages
- Relieving nasal dryness
- Reducing cold and flu symptoms
- Alleviating sinus headaches
You can even find a nice ceramic one if you are hoping to avoid plastic!
3.) Bundle up and get outside- For many of us, becoming too disconnected from nature can make us feel off in all sorts of ways. Re-establishing this connection with nature is crucial for supporting our overall wellness and mental states throughout the winter months.
While freezing temperatures may make it so you can’t walk around barefoot in your backyard like you may want to, you can still practice grounding in other ways during the wintertime. Perhaps hug a tree or two in your local park next time you take your pup on a long wintery walk.
Another option is bundling up and sitting outside for 15 minutes in the morning sunshine. Take your coffee or tea with you and enjoy the moment.
4.) Embrace Hygge – Yes, Hygge was all the rage for a few years there and while the hype has seemed to have calmed down around this fad, it still holds some very important space for bringing warmth and coziness into our lives in a season where we desperately need it.
“Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment”
Think fuzzy socks, chunky knit blankets, coconut wax candles emitting a warm glow, and lots and lots of tea (or hot chocolate if that’s more your jazz). Focusing on bringing coziness and comfort into our homes during the winter months helps to create peace and contentment. Something we definitely can all use a little more of right now.
5.) Support your immune system naturally –
- Eat probiotic-rich foods like real sauerkraut, yogurt, or drink some kombucha (a healthy gut can help create a healthy immune system)
- Get funky with immune supporting functional mushrooms like chaga or reishi by adding them to your warm beverages
- Spice up your cooking with ginger, turmeric, and garlic which all have properties known to boost your immunity
These foods/ingredients are all easy ways to naturally enhance your immune system and help fight off wintertime illnesses like colds or the flu.
Hopefully you’ve been inspired to try at least one (or perhaps all) of these tips for winter wellness. I myself am sitting here writing this with fuzzy socks on, my humidifier working its magic and cinnamon-spiced herbal tea in hand.
Don’t forget to schedule a visit with me to start making health changes to help you achieve your health goals in 2021!
