SELF CARE FOR WINTER WELLNESS
IT’S THE SEASON FOR COSYING UP, winter woollies, and festivities. But this time of year can bring challenges to our immune system, with colds, coughs and other viruses doing the rounds. And there can be challenges to our emotional health too, with increased isolation and darker days.
This blog will give you practical tips for self care during the winter season. From ways to keep your immune system in great shape to strategies for boosting your mood, there's something here for everyone to ensure you not only survive but thrive this winter.
IMMUNITY
EATING WELL with lots of home cooking will give you the right nutrients to keep your immune system in the best shape. It’s tempting to go for stodgy comfort food, but try to limit starchy carbs and include plenty of veg and beans instead.
If you’ve let your healthy eating slip, you may want to supplement with Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc, or a multi vitamin and mineral. Most northern Europeans don’t get enough Vitamin D over the winter so this is something we all need to think about.
PRIORITISE SLEEP: if you want to sleep for 8 hours you need to be in bed for 9. Wind-down time an hour before bed is a great start for a good night’s sleep.
In the festive season we often over-schedule ourselves with school events, parties or family gatherings. Only do what you can cope with and if you need to leave early to keep yourself healthy, people will understand.
KEEP MOVING in whatever way feels good to you. Your body will thank you and it will get your lymph flowing, which is where a large section of our immune cells live.
HOMEOPATHY
There are a whole range of homeopathic remedies to fend off or shorten the duration of seasonal ailments.
ACONITE is the first port of call. Take it at the first sign of a cold or flu and it may well stop it in its tracks.
BELLADONNA can be very useful in cases of high fever, especially in children who tend to get high fever spikes.
GELSEMIUM is great for the classic signs of flu, such as fever combined with body aches.
NUX VOMICA is used for colds that start after overwork or overindulgence, and the person tends to feel chilly.
PULSATILLA may be needed where there is a cold with yellow/green discharges, for earache, especially where the person is quite clingy.
These are just a few of the remedies that can be helpful at this time of year. A small remedy kit that you can use at home could be a very useful investment.
LIGHT
Light is important for our mood and our physical health. It’s no coincidence that our winter festivities include fireworks, lights, and bonfires.
TRY TO GET OUTSIDE IN THE MORNING as it helps regulate your circadian rhythm and improve sleep. It also boosts Vitamin D, immunity, and helps fend off a low mood.
If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) try a light therapy box which mimics natural light. There are homeopathic remedies that can help too, such as one made from the tree Hornbeam.
NATURAL LIGHT makes us feel so much better than artificial. The flickering light of candles in the home can support our wellbeing and make us feel warm and comforted.
WARMTH
WRAPPING UP and keeping warm is a must in winter. There’s actually some truth to the advice your mother gave you to wrap up or risk catching a chill.
Layering is the best way to keep warm: invest in some thin, thermal layers to wear under your jumper or coat. You’ll stay toasty on your morning walks, and save on heating bills when you’re inside!
It’s really key to adjust what we eat and drink according to the weather. Ice cold drinks will deplete your system, so drink water at room temperature and herbal teas in between. Do remember to stay hydrated as we often don’t feel as thirsty when the weather is colder.
COOK WARMING FOODS: stews, soups, roasted vegetables, roast meats and hearty pasta sauces are perfect for this time of year. Extra spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric and cinnamon will also add internal warmth, or try chilli for a bit of a kick.
COMPANY
It’s easy to become more isolated in winter as the temptation to stay at home and hunker down is strong.
Even if you don’t go out, make time to phone a friend or reach out to someone you haven’t seen for a while.
Find a cosy coffee shop and arrange to meet a friend there, or simply go there to work for a while. Getting out of the house will make you feel more connected and energised.
Or why not arrange to meet someone for a morning walk, or join a walking or running group. You will get your much needed light fix as well as boosting your mood with a chat and some good company.
HOW I CAN HELP
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE STRUGGLING mentally or physically this winter, homeopathy can help. If you need more than first aid remedies, it’s important to get advice from a qualified professional who can give you support and carefully choose the right remedies for you.
It’s important to find the right person to work with so I offer a free discovery call so that we can have a chat and you can find out more.
If you enjoyed this, you may also like: Immune Support to Get You Through the Winter, and A Health Coach’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays.