Beating the Winter Blues
Winter Practices should be simple, easy, and effective for transitioning to the colder months.
Having daily practice is one of the most important ways I find footing in the changing of the seasons. It could be going to the gym, how you make your coffee in the morning, or alternating the feet that touch the earth first thing when you wake up.
The reality is it's our responsibility to carve out time for our self-care practice. Play with these tips as creative daily outlets to add on to your tool belts.
1. Go for a walk
Incorporate a daily walk into your routine by bundling up and embracing the outdoors. Layering clothing not only adds comfort but also transforms the experience into an adventure. Brands like Patagonia offer excellent mid-layers, ensuring warmth during inclement weather. Embrace hoods, as they retain vital body heat, making your walk more enjoyable.
2. Sauna
The transitional season from Autumn to Winter can be a great time to detox. The therapeutic effects of sauna sessions are great for mental clarity, ease seasonal depression, and are great for things more medical like releasing the body from core toxins such as heavy metals. Start with 10-20 minutes until the body can adjust to the heat and work your way up anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Most importantly listen to your body as I offer guidance, only you know what works for you.
3. Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is an ancient practice for skin health and especially beneficial during the dry winter months when the body has less movement and sunlight.
It wasn't until I started to practice regularly and talked to a body treatment specialists that I finally found the proper techniques. So here we go.
Before you shower, start with the left foot making small 1-2 inch strokes on the toes, then work your way up to the feet, shins and calves, knees front and back, quads, groin, stomach, chest and heart.
Follow the other side from the foot to heart.
Next, start with the fingernails on the other hand and do the same process. Always moving to the extremity of the hand or feet– towards the heart.
Remember, you are exfoliating the skin and simultaneously encouraging the circulation of the lymph. Dry brushing feels great and a highly overlooked form of body awareness.
4. Moisturizing
Best Moisturizers are really the ones with the least ingredients. Coconut oil is a favorite, also Almond, Jojoba, or for detox—Castor oil. You can apply these generously preferably in the evening before the shower or after. Letting it soak in, then rinse off or lathering before bed. Similarly, apply the coconut oil in the shower after the body is clean and then rinse in water with a wash cloth.
5. Engaging Activities
This can be chopping wood to cooking dinner or kindling a fire, indoors or out. Consider the ways you like to use your hands.
6. Mindfulness Practices
Breath Work: benefits of breathwork are reducing stress and improving overall well-being.
Reading a Book: Perhaps you need a sense of escapism and relaxation found in reading, some of my favorite genres winter months are poetry and diy projects for Spring.
Journaling/Vision Board: Highlight the benefits of reflection and visualization through journaling or creating vision boards during this season.
7. Be Creative— Make music, paint, draw, or learn new avenues. Embrace your skills or delve into something you’ve always wanted to try.
Conclusion
These practices can serve as pillars for the winter months ahead. You can experiment with a few or incorporate them all to brighten your winter days ahead.
Peace and rejuvenation to you this season.
