December is officially here! If you are new here, hello and welcome! If you are already part of the blog squad, hey girl hey! I’ve decided to take on the challenge of doing Blogmas this year. I was hesitant and said no immediately because I didn’t have the time, but that wasn’t the real reason. The real reason is that I have struggled with posting consistently on the blog this year and believed that I would struggle with this challenge. However, I’m a 100% or nothing kind of girl. As a result, with early planning, I decided to take this challenge on. With that said, welcome to Day 2 of Blogmas. In today’s post, I will be sharing 5 amazing winter self care tips that you can include this Christmas season.
Whenever I’m coming back from outside and I can see my building complex, only two things are on my mind: blanket and a cup of tea. As the temperatures continue to drop and the days get shorter, our self care routines tend to slip as we get ready for hibernation and the festive season. In other words, prioritising ourselves gets pushed to the bottom of the list and that leads to burnout unfortunately. These 5 winter self care tips will help you prioritise your mental and physical wellness, as well as, give joy to your soul.
Add Masks In Your Routine
Go to your local store or pharmacy and pick up some sheet masks for your face and some foot masks. One thing I started doing at the end of last year was foot masks. I wish I had discovered these years ago which is why I’m sharing this with you. Applying a mask weekly adds an extra step of pampering yourself. Take some time to add a little more moisture to your skin and keep up with your routines. I like to sit down on the couch with a cup of tea and close my eyes like I am in a spa. These little moments of pleasure gives me a sense of peace.
Get More Sunlight
Winter months come with less light and more staying indoors. Unfortunately, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be triggered during the winter months. Try to spend a few minutes a day to 30 minutes outside for some fresh air, to improve your mood and your physical health. Secondly, as Black people, we need to be more conscious about the time we spend outside regardless of the season. We get Vitamin D from the sun and with less sunlight in the winter, your Vitamin D level are not optimal. Try to eat foods fortified in this vitamin or add some supplementation during the winter months.
Step Up Your Body Care This Winter
As you begin to layer up and start wearing your winter coats of the season, don’t forget to step up your body care. I’m guilty of this and I get better each year. Look into double cleansing your body like you would do with your face. Switch to a heavier moisturiser like shea butter and get some body oil. Spend these extra hours inside pampering your body on a daily basis. Lastly, get a humidifier to add more moisture in the air.
Surround Yourself With Small Pleasures
With more time spent inside and less motivation to go outdoors, surround yourself with small pleasures. Snuggle up on the couch and read a book. Watch some of your favourite movies, listen to a playlist of your choice. Light your favourite scented candle. Grab that recipe that you’ve always wanted to try and get cooking. Christmas time and the winter months come with a different range of activities. Do something each day that brings you joy.
Drink More Water & Hot Winter Drinks
My water intake hasn’t been that great these last couple of weeks. I’ve been pushing myself to drink a little more each day until I reach my usual 3 to 4 litres. If you generally struggle to drink more water, this is the time to start working on this. The festive season comes with more celebration and drinks, so water may not be your go-to beverage of choice. However, the festive season can also come with dry skin and hair, and less energy. Here are my winter tips:
- Drink at least 1 cup of water as soon as you wake up in the morning
- An hour or two later, have a hot drink. It can be tea or coffee (I’m more of a tea kind of girl).
- Make sure to have at least 1 cup of water every two hours and drink 1 cup of water before and after each meal.
Trust me, your body and your health will thank you later.
So there you have it, my 5 amazing winter self care tips for Christmas time! Luckily, winter hasn’t officially started even though it feels like it has. This can help you get prepared ahead of the crowds and be solid throughout the next few months. Don’t forget to subscribe to become a member of the blog squad and be notified of all the Blogmas posts!
Until next time,
Folakemi
