The honest reality is that the winter season presents a strong case for just staying in bed and wrapping your warmest blanket around yourself. We’ve been there, done that. But while tempting, giving in to that urge could be bad for your health in the long run.
It’s good to note, however, that feeling a little down during the winter is a normal experience. Less sunlight and lower temperatures can make you feel lethargic, and maybe even sad. That’s why intentionally caring for your mind and body becomes even more important this season.
No worries, we have some easy suggestions to make sure you stay your healthiest and best self through the cold months.

Take Care of Your Mind

Sometimes the winter can make your mind feel as overcast as the weather. Here are a couple recommendations to keep a sunny disposition despite the lack of natural light.

1. Make a habit of de-stressing.
   The season may have changed, but the amount of work on the to-do list only seems to pile up one after the other. It’s good to remember that you are not a machine. You are a person who needs regular rest and relaxation to be able to face your next challenges effectively and efficiently.
   Always leave room to do the things you enjoy, whether it’s catching up on your favorite series, reading, drawing, journaling, cooking—it’s really up to your preference. We suggest getting some help from Volo Wellbeing’s Natural Stress Remedy to usher you into a calmer state on your breaks. If you want to improve your quality of sleep, the BeYou Sleep Pillow Mist has essential oils to accomplish that.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
2. Spend time with friends.
   Isolation matched with the gloomy weather can only lead to loneliness during the winter, so it’s great for your mental wellbeing to be in the company of the people you love. Go out for coffee with friends on warmer days or invite them over to your home on colder days. A good heart-to-heart and some shared laughter are great ways to shake off the winter blues.

Take Care of Your Body

Your body needs to stay well and active, too, from the inside out. Here are some ways you can pay attention to your immune system, fitness, and skincare needs in wintertime.

1. Take your vitamins and supplements.
   The low temperatures can make you more vulnerable to winter bugs like colds and the flu. Take extra care to keep your body in good condition with your go-to vitamins and health supplements. A couple choices are Harker Herbals’ Elderberry + Vitamin C + Zinc, which is made to fight bugs especially in winter, and The Good Vitamin’s Good Mega Multi, a multivitamin for fortifying your body’s defenses.
2. Make movement a must.
   Exercise can be one of the hardest things to gain motivation for in winter, so if it helps you, start with small steps for your physical health. Apply this literally by parking a little farther when running to the store for errands to increase your daily step count. Forego the elevator in favour of the stairs, too, when you can. Then stay agile at home by standing up and walking around for some tasks, like when you’re taking a phone call or listening to a podcast.
3. Stay moisturized.
   Your skin is part of your body, too, and it tends to suffer from dryness in colder seasons’ low humidity. Power up the moisture by layering gentle and moisturising skincare products, like those from Antipodes’ collection that tackle the skin’s different problem areas.
   Find these products and more for your winter wellness at www.allowyourself.co.nz.