The winter period can be magical if you have the right attitude, but it would be wrong to say that prolonged freezing temperatures, dark mornings and nights, and all the planning that the festive period demands doesn’t take its toll.
Walking in the park on a snowy morning, enjoying a hot chocolate while wearing wooly mittens, and seeing a beautifully lit exterior in the cold are all wonderful. But at the same time, you might need to de-ice your car for twenty minutes before your commute each morning. Our lips dry out. You might even have to deal with more difficulty when managing mold at home, given how you keep your windows closed and your heating on.
So, like anything, there are upsides and downsides. All this extra work, however, can bring with it its own sense of ennui. In this post, we’ll discuss some ways you can more easily manage, and perhaps even feel revitalized once more. Before long you’ll return to feeling excited about the seasonal period and weather once more:
Consider Skincare & Lip Treatment
Winter can be quite harsh on your skin, because the air outside is cold and biting, and inside, the central heating can dry us all out. Cycling through that all day long can cause dryness and even burn from the cold. You may experience chapped lips, dry patches, and a general lack of glow that affects how you feel. We’d suggest using richer, creamier cleansers that don’t strip your skin of its natural oils, as that can protect your barrier from the elements.
A thicker moisturizer will be your best bet, applied morning and night to create more of a protection against the elements you’re exposed to. You might find that adding a hydrating serum is useful too, as it gives your skin an extra drink of moisture under your cream before you head out. We’d also suggest that you could look up Hydrafacial near me if you want a professional treatment to really refresh your complexion and get it ready for the season.
Keep Various Pairs Of Thermal Undergarments
They say that layering up is the best way to dress for the cold, and not to assume one big coat will keep you wrm. As such, thermal undergarments are incredibly effective at keeping you warm, because they’re super thin and lightweight, so they won’t make you feel bulky under your usual clothes and also gives you freedom in how you dress.
Moreover, they do an amazing job of trapping your body heat close to your skin which is exactly what you need when it’s freezing outside. If you have a few sets: tops and bottoms; you’ve always got a clean pair ready to go whenever you need one. You can even wear them to bed if it’s a particularly cold night and you’d rather not run the heating or you’ve washed both of your main throws/blankets and are waiting for them to dry.
Treat Yourself To Some Worthwhile Boots
Good footwear is not only worthwhile for avoiding slips and falls, but if it’s waterproof, has good grip for icy patches, and lined to keep your feet nice and toasty all day, you’ll thank yourself. No matter where you go, wet, cold feet are a sure way to feel completely depleted, and it’s very hard to warm up once your feet are chilled after being exposed to cold. Some people have even had frostbitten toes which you really want to avoid.
As some advice, we’d recommend you look for features like thick soles to insulate you from the cold ground and a good tread pattern for safety so you don’t slip. You don’t have to compromise on style either since there are so many options that look great but still offer maximum winter protection from the weather. This is a purchase that you could look for discounted options with, but we’d very much suggest you don’t. Stick to reliable brands and check out their latest lines, and make sure they fit correctly. Go for the best you can afford. Keep them well-cared for and protect the material from the moisture with sprays or polish, and they can last for years.
Vitamin D & Light Therapy
The lack of sunlight in winter affects quite a few of us, more than just pining for the past warmth that the sun provides. Sunlight gives us Vitamin D, which is important for your mood and immune function throughout the year, so with fewer daylight hours and less time spent outside, it’s easy for your Vitamin D levels to drop quite low. This can often cause the “seasonal depression” that many people report, and you’d be surprised how many are deficient in this vital hormone. As such, taking a high-quality Vitamin D supplement throughout this season is easy, cheap and can help a great deal to offset the effects.
Light therapy is another popular way to counter the lack of natural light that affects us all. Using a SAD lamp for about 20 to 30 minutes each morning can help to lift your spirits, because these lamps have a similar effect to exposure from natural sunlight. You may even find it helps your sleep schedule.
Keep Yourself Social
When it’s cold and dark, the urge to just curl up at home and hibernate is incredibly strong, which is understandable. We’ve all been there. What do you want to do in a cold winter evening, go the gym, or settle in front of the sofa and watch a movie? Maybe you won’t go out unless great food and drink is on the cards.
But while a quiet night in is lovely sometimes, completely withdrawing from these kinds of social activities can make you feel isolated and it has something of a compounding effect. If you can, making an effort to maintain your social connections is very important, and becomes something of a natural antidepressant. If you don’t want to go out (totally understandable if the car is frozen over and the roads are dangerous), invited someone around! It’s the little things that often help the most.
With this advice, we hope you can continue to offset the ennui of winter.
The owners and authors of Cinnamon Hollow are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice. We cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult with your personal physician before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
