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Winter self-care: 15 easy ways to stay healthy and happy this winter
Posted by Claire Boote, on November 24, 2020.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s)
There may be some glimmers of hope on the horizon (hello, Covid vaccine!), but winter will still be a long, hard slog for many of us. Staying positive and keeping well is the aim during these darker, colder months. So, this blog post is our ‘winter self-care package’ to you – fifteen ways to get a burst of happiness and health this season, ready for brighter days ahead…
Breathe
The simple act of breathing not only provides a wealth of health benefits (such as lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, reducing pain) but can alleviate stress and give us some much needed brain space. To get real benefit try guided breathing techniques offered by yoga practitioners and meditation experts. Breathing gurus Breathpod also offer live sessions at 8am every weekday on their Instagram channel @Breathpod (sessions are free or donations welcome).
Sunshine
Yes, we do still enjoy sunny days in winter, albeit not for very long so you need to grab every opportunity you can to make the most of it. Exposing our skin to the sun boosts production of vitamin D, a nutrient that’s vital for a number of health reasons, including an effective immune system. Fairer skin tones need around 15 minutes of sun exposure to reap the benefits, with darker skin tones needing up to two hours.
Get Crafty
Crochet, painting, knitting, pottery…craft hobbies are a great way to escape from our everyday routines, and their repetitive nature is pure mindfulness. We love to get crafty at Royce so we’ve started a brand new series of easy craft projects especially for you! Have a go at our first project, from Jeanine of Fancy That Creates, ‘Make a cinnamon macrame Christmas decoration’. Share your results on social media tag @Roycelingerie and check back regularly for new craft ideas.
Snack on ‘happy foods’
Chocolate may be tempting but the inevitable sugar crash can cause low mood. Swap it for a handful of blueberries (a source of resveratrol, an antioxidant pigment that has been linked to relief from depression); a boiled egg (loaded with mood-promoting omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins); red pepper crudites (more than double the vitamin C and up to 8 times as much vitamin A than their green cousins); or coconut chips (packed with medium-chain triglycerides, fats that fuel better moods).
Yoga
Destressing, happiness-boosting, energy-giving – the health benefits of yoga are well known but lack of time may be stopping you from getting on the mat. No longer! Yoga With Adriene’s You Tube channel has a section devoted to routines under 10-minutes – try a quick 10-minute yoga for self-care or 5-minute morning yoga to start the day on a high.
Complete a crossword
Treat your brain like a muscle and tackle regular puzzles such as crosswords and sudoku. Some studies have shown that it can improve memory and cognitive function by strengthening connections between different parts of your brain. And completing a puzzle will leave you with a warm glow of satisfaction!
Plant flowers
Getting your hands in the soil is a great way to unwind. While we live life day-to-day in lockdown, planting for spring and summer next year is about pondering the longer-term and feeling positive about the future. Fragrant sweet peas seeds can be sown now as can many spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and alliums (smaller varieties are perfect for pots and window-boxes if space is tight).
Digital detox
Give yourself a break from the constant news updates and social media feeds by switching off your phone and putting it away in a drawer for 24 hours. Do not open that drawer until tomorrow!
Write a letter
When was the last time you actually wrote to a friend or family member in your own handwriting? Time to get out your best stationary and write a letter to someone you miss (extra marks for personalising it further with doodles and drawings).
Walking
It’s such an easy, simple way to boost your mental and physical health that we’ve written a post all about it. And don’t forget to join in with our latest competition – share pictures from your beautiful walks on Instagram/Facebook, tag us and use the hashtag #WalkWithRoyce – we’ll pick a winner every Friday who’ll receive a Royce sports bra.
Brew some tea
We all have five minutes for a cuppa. Make yours count by choosing a herbal tea that can calm, sooth and relieve depression and anxiety – sage, turmeric, fennel, lemon balm and ginseng are great options, with classic green tea known to boost dopamine, the brain’s happy hormone.
Bake a healthy cake
Lose yourself in the mindful process of baking, then enjoy the thrill of having a delicious cake at the end of it! But is there such a thing as a ‘healthy’ cake? Hmmm, we’ll report back once we’ve tried this healthy beetroot and chocolate cake, these butternut squash muffins and this giggle cake.
Cardio exercise
You haven’t had the real 2020 experience if you haven’t tried at least one Joe Wicks workout. The exercise hero of lockdown credits HITT workouts as the saviour of his own mental health. Check out his Body Coach TV channel for 10-min workouts for seniors, kids PE classes, and high impact sessions for exercise fanatics.
Phone a friend
With social distancing limiting face-to-face contact with friends and family, other forms of contact are even more important. When you’re sick of seeing your own face on a video call, pick up the phone and talk. A 2009 study revealed that those with fewer social ties were the most likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and heart disease. Real-time connection with others helps maintain our own well-being, and you can provide a much needed emotional lifeline to someone else.
Buy a house plant
These green leafy miracles are a guaranteed happiness booster. Studies have shown that by increasing humidity and decreasing dust levels indoors, these natural air purifiers can help alleviate headaches and drowsiness, plus reduce cold-related illnesses by an amazing 30%! Our own marketing executive Claire (aka ‘Crazy Plant Lady’) has an incredible 72 house plants at home!
