The winter season can be freezing and is often accompanied by continuous rainfall. The sun is seldom visible, and the days usually seem dark and gloomy. The persistent absence of sunlight and an extreme temperature drop can make you sad, exhausted, and grumpy. These feelings are often collectively called the Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
The harsh winter months also demand a different diet and skincare. You need to include more seasonal fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to boost your body’s immunity. You might also want to stock up on your cold creams and lip balms to protect your skin from the perils of the colder months.
Here’s how to defeat the harsh winter like a pro.
1. Stay active and socialize
Moving around is very important during the winter season. Though it is hard not to stay curled up next to your fireplace all day, staying cooped up in a room can impair proper blood circulation, make you feel gloomy and exhausted, and even cause several musculoskeletal disorders. To pass the winter with style:
- Make sure you are staying active.
- Step out of your home, meet with your neighbors, and spend time with them.
- Devote at least half an hour of the day to exercises and working out.
- Indulge in a new hobby to stay occupied.
It will help improve your mood and enable you to stay cheerful.
2. Go out and breathe the fresh air
During the winter, the weather can be unfavorable for several days. Thus, it becomes hard for people to come out of their blankets and step outside. But, staying indoors for a long duration can make you feel claustrophobic. If it is not raining outside, wrap yourself up in warm clothes and take a walk around the block. Or, bring out your bike and go for a ride in natural daylight. Exposure to the fresh air will make you feel rejuvenated and happier.
3. Include citrus fruits in your grocery list
The winter season usually brings along the peak of cold and flu season. Studies have shown that eating seasonal citrus fruits helps boost immunity and prevent you from catching a cold or the flu. These fruits are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, which help improve the immune system, build more muscular connective tissues, and improve skin health. So, include ample citrus fruits like mandarin oranges, tangerine, pomelos, grapefruits, and clementines in your winter grocery list. You can also get a precautionary flu shot from your nearest clinic.
4. Take Vitamin D supplements
Winters are usually dark and cloudy and with no sunlight for days. As sunlight is the primary source of Vitamin D, people often have Vitamin D deficiency during the colder months. Wearing many layers to keep warm also prevents sun rays from contacting our skin, making us unable to synthesize the required amount of Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is responsible for several health issues such as mood disorders, joint pain, and fatigue. To compensate for the deficiency, you must take Vitamin D supplements regularly. It will prevent musculoskeletal pain, help uplift your mood and allow you to stay active.
5. Keep your skin moisturized
The harsh winter winds can remove the natural moisture of the skin, making it dry and chapped. It also diminishes the intrinsic immune system of the skin, making it more susceptible to infections and damage. The loss of moisture stimulates the skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more oil to keep the skin moisturized. But, as our skin’s self-cleansing mechanism weakens on exposure to extreme temperature, the risk of pore-clogging also increases.
Thus, it is common to experience breakouts on your skin during the winter season. CBD creams have become quite popular as winter creams because of their multiple beneficial properties. It is rich in antioxidants that combat free radicals present in the skin and help facilitate faster healing of damaged skin. The only way to prevent these is to keep your skin well-moisturized using good-quality cold creams and hydrating lotions.
Applying CBD cream to your skin also helps reduce sebum synthesis and lowers the risk of clogged pores. CBD cream also has anti-inflammatory effects that soothe skin inflammations and breakouts. Its antimicrobial properties help prevent acne-causing bacteria. CBD creams are often infused with shea butter, olive oil, and cocoa butter to improve their moisturizing quality. It also contains hemp seed oil rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that help improve skin immunity.
6. Wrap up to keep warm
Whether going out to work or trekking, make sure you are adequately wrapped up in warm clothes. Buy thermal wear for extra insulation. Keep your sweaters, cardigans, and coats ready. Wear fleece or wool socks to keep your feet toasty. Make sure your shoes are correctly insulated. Wrap yourself with scarves and shawls for added warmth. Eat hot food and drinks too.
7. Install a good space heater
Heating your room is very important during the winter season. You can either use a portable space heater or install a central heating system in your home. All the gaps and holes (cat flaps, floorboard gaps, and even keyholes) from where cold air can enter are sealed. Set the temperature slightly over 18 degrees celsius in your living room. You can use electric blankets to get some extra warmth and comfort.
8. Try light therapy
Light therapy can be beneficial for combating seasonal depression. It will help enhance your mood and allow you to stay positive. If you feel winter blues creeping in, sit in front of a lightbox for at least two hours a day. You can also switch your living room lights with daylight simulating lights.
Beat the Winter Blues
Winter Blues are authentic and neglecting them can severely affect your physical and mental health. Winters are often harsh and gloomy, taking special care of yourself is crucial. Staying active, modifying your diet, and keeping warm will help you meet the winter days with a positive attitude and let you enjoy the season to the fullest.
