Seasonal Self Care Ideas for Winter:
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"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...in spring, summer, and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."
- Ruth Stout
- Add hydrosols to your skincare routine: My current favorite for winter is Sandalwood hydrosol which hydrates, softens, and calms redness and irritation. It has a beautiful, light scent (very different than the essential oil). Mist hydrosol on damp face and neck after cleansing and gently pat onto face with clean hands. Follow with serum/moisturizer/facial oil of your choice to lock in moisture. You can mist hydrosol on your skin throughout the day to nourish your complexion and also receive the emotionally therapeutic benefits. Sandalwood hydrosol calms the nervous system.
- Stretching: Find a few stretches that make you feel good and try to get into the habit of doing them every day. Stretching tends to get overlooked, but it improves posture, reduces pain, helps relieve tension headaches, and is great for stress relief.
- Feel better eating less sugar: According to the American Heart Organization, the maximum amount of sugar you should eat in a day is 25 grams (6 teaspoons) or less. However, most Americans eat over 70 grams a day. As you pay more attention to sugar on food labels, keeping that 25 grams in mind, you'll see that it adds up quickly and insidiously. It's shocking how much sugar is added to yogurt, salad dressing, sauces, and any packaged foods. I definitely have a sweet tooth, but I'm aiming to be more mindful of sugar so I can live a longer, healthier, happier life.
- Diffuse citrus essential oils: They really bring in the sunshine and help lift low winter moods. Pink grapefruit, blood orange, and lemon are my current favorites. Here are some of my favorite essential oil diffusor blends for winter.
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"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...in spring, summer, and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."
- Ruth Stout