After the holiday season, you still have several months of winter left to cope with, so it’s a good idea to find ways to de-stress and relax. You may have been super busy throughout the holidays, giving you little time to reduce the stress of shopping, parties, etc. Self-care is an essential component of maintaining good health and should not be overlooked or disregarded.
Here are some winter care tips to help you feel better after the holidays end:
Create a Soothing Space in Your Bedroom
First, you should create a soothing space in your bedroom to cope with the cold temperatures at night. You may want to replace your old mattress and box springs by shopping at an after Christmas sale. Fortunately, January is a great time to find new bedroom linens at reduced prices so that you can have new items such as a thick comforter, heated mattress pad, and soft flannel sheets. A weighted blanket is a great help if you experience anxiety. Winter is also an excellent time to replace lightweight curtains with heavier draperies so that there are fewer cold drafts in your bedroom.
Visit a Day Spa
Winter is the perfect time for visiting a day spa for relaxing treatments to eliminate the stress from the holiday season. You can request a facial to cleanse and moisturize your skin, or you might prefer a full-body wrap that includes an application of mud and herbs. A spa will have additional amenities such as whirling hot tubs or warm saunas to help you feel better. It is also possible to have an assortment of massages along with beauty treatments such as pedicures, haircuts, and manicures.
Plan Your Exercise Routines
When you have avoided your exercise routine, January is the perfect time to join a fitness center. Winter is the time of year that local gyms are offering discounts on memberships, and a fitness center is a heated indoor space away from snow or ice. You will have access to an assortment of exercise equipment such as elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, and free weights. Most fitness centers also offer classes that involve group activities, such as yoga or calisthenics. Joining a class at a fitness center is an excellent way to socialize with others while also increasing the strength of your muscles and bones.
Maintain a Regular Schedule
You may have had a hectic daily and weekly schedule during the holidays because you were busy with the additional activities of holiday shopping and activities. Now, in January, you can begin to maintain a regular schedule again. To feel your best, it’s important to go to bed around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning. You will also lose more weight if you eat your meals and snacks at the same time every day.
While self-care can appear indulgent, it often has a much broader impact that goes beyond our own lives. People who invest in self-care are more likely to be healthier, both physically and mentally, and are therefore better prepared to perform at work. They are likely to be more focused, more emotionally stable, and form stronger, more positive relationships.
RECIPE
WARM SEED MUSH
Serves
2½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup chia seeds
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon of sea salt
1 ½ cups dairy-free milk
Sweetener of your choice
Dried cranberries
1 banana, sliced
Add the pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, coconut flakes, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, and dairy-free milk to a pot. Turn the heat to medium and stir until warm, but not boiling. Remove from the stove and serve in bowls. Serve with the sweetener of your choice, topped with dried cranberries, sliced bananas, and other fresh fruit.
To Your Health,
Patti
