Tips for Self Care in the Winter Months

If you feel a little blue in the cold, darker winter months and in need of a little self care, then you wouldn’t be alone. SAD or seasonal affective disorder affects 1 in 3 people and is 4 times more likely to have an impact on women than men.

After the clocks change and the nights start to draw in earlier, you might find yourself longing for summer. If you have noticed your mood start to deteriorate since the change, then there are a few self care tips for the winter months that you could follow. 

In this blog, we share our top self care tips to help you beat the winter blues and feel your best, whatever the weather is doing.

Take a long bath

There is nothing quite like a long, warm bath in the winter. In the summer the idea of a bath doesn’t quite fit, does it? Light a few candles, treat yourself to bath salts and some delicious smelling Rose shower whip from our friends over at Splash Cosmetics. 

Exercise 

When we exercise we increase endorphins which are natural mood lifters. Even an evening walk after dinner can boost your mood if you are feeling a little bleak. If the weather is bad, why not sign yourself up for a class? Try dancing, sweaty circuits, bootcamp, yoga, pilates or spin. Exercise can be fun, so choose something that suits you. 

Meditate

Leading a busy and stressful life when you are already feeling down, isn’t going to help. Taking 5-10 minutes a day to focus on nothing but your breathing is a perfect way to block out the noise. No phone. No email. No boss or deadlines. Just you and your breath. 

Sleep 

Alright, so Netflix has a new series that everyone is talking about, but it isn’t going anywhere. Surely you can call it a night after an episode and get yourself to bed earlier.

Studies have found that even a small amount of sleep deprivation has a significant effect on mood. In one study subjects were limited to just 4.5 hours of sleep a night for a week and they all reported feeling angry, sad, stressed and mentally exhausted. Make sure you switch off the light (and TV) at a reasonable hour and aim to get your 7-8 hours a night. 

Pair sleep deprivation with SAD and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a seriously low mood. 

Get your vitamins and supplements 

Ideally, you will be eating a healthy diet, full of fruit, veggies, and protein. However, if some of your diet starts to slip, you might benefit from a multivitamin. CBD is another one to consider when it comes to mood. It is said to help boost serotonin levels which play a huge part in how happy you feel day to day. Add a dose of CBD to your daily self-care routine. 

Final thoughts

If you are suffering from SAD, then make sure you are kind to yourself. Treat yourself to baths, enjoy a good book, get the endorphins flowing with an exercise class. Remember, spring will be on its way in no time!