Simple Self Care in Cold Weather
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I hope this finds you well as we move deeper into the holiday season and closer to the first official day of Winter here in the Northern Hemisphere. There has been a lot of cold weather happening for so many people that it almost feels like Jack Frost has come early this year. If you’re anything like me, it may be a bit of an adjustment getting used to the cold weather and dreary days. I’ve included some of my favorite self care tips for cold weather below and I hope they will give you some comfort and support during this chilly season.
One of the biggest challenges that I have when I’m cold is remembering to drink water. I know, it seems so simple especially with every shape of water bottle available on the market but when it gets cold, I tend to forget to drink enough water. Staying hydrated is equally important when it’s cold as when it’s hot outside so here are a few ways that can help you increase hydration if you tend to forget to drink your water when you’re cold too.
Set up a room temperature water station in your kitchen so you can see it when you walk by and the water won’t feel too cold to drink.
Opt for drinking a hot water with lemon or orange instead of cold water. You’ll still be drinking water but it will really warm you up at the same time.
If you tend to drink coffee throughout the day to stay warm, try switching to herbal tea in the afternoon and evening. You’ll be drinking water and it will warm you up without dehydrating you.
Keep your humidifiers running (if you have them) so that your skin, scalp, and sinuses stay hydrated. The air in our homes can tend to get very dry when heaters or fire places are being used which can dehydrate and dry out our skin and systems.
Make a simmer pot on your stove to add hydration to you and your home while also adding some lovely scents at the same time. This option is for when you’re going to be home the whole time your simmer pot is being used. Fill a stockpot with water, add some of your favorite spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, fresh rosemary, apple, lemon, and or orange slices and bring your pot to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and allow your simmer pot to fill your home with holiday aromas. Remove from heat when water is about ½ inch deep so you don’t scorch your stock pot.
Use your Netti Pot to keep your sinuses hydrated and clear. You can find these nasal cleansing pots at most health food stores or online. They are a big help especially if you experience sensitivity or challenges with your sinuses.
Allow your bathroom to get steamy when you take a bath or a shower, this will help your skin to breathe and open up. This will help you to breathe deeper and will allow your body oils, creams, and lotions to absorb more easily as well. (You may want to have some water in the bathroom in case you feel thirsty during your steam.) You can also hang a bunch of eucalyptus branches in your shower to help support your deep breathing.
If you find that as a highly sensitive person you experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder during the cold season, you’re not alone. There are a lot of wonderful products and support systems available now. Here are a few things that I’ve found to be helpful, and I hope they will offer you some support too. Please remember you can reach out to a professional support person as well if you find your symptoms to be presistent.
Getting outside into full spectrum lighting when it’s possible for at least 10 minutes. Even if you have to get bundled up and stand in the one spot that has sunlight in your back yard, go for it. Even a little bit of sunlight can reduce symptoms significantly.
If you aren’t able to get into full spectrum lighting, you may want to consider purchasing a light box for extra support. The Happy Light (I am not affiliated with them in any way professionally) is a great option and they are really small now and you can set it up anywhere to get some extra light. You can find them online and the prices have come down a lot over the years. I find this extra light to be very helpful during this time of year.
Skin sensitivity can be an issue during this season, some highly sensitive people experience painful face swelling. You can gently massage your face and neck to help reduce swelling and discomfort. You can find images of the face map online which shows how to gently massage your face to help clear fluid and inflammation. You may also want to try using a Gua Sha stone or a Jade Roller to help soothe your skin.
If you experience body skin sensitivity, you may want to try Dry Brushing which can help with circulation, and movement of your lymph system. You can find body map images and videos online to help you understand how to use the Dry Brush to help reduce symptoms you may be experiencing.
Increasing your core body temperature is really important and many sensitive people have a tough time warming up and staying warm even if they are wearing layers and drinking warm drinks. Movement is the best way to get your core body temperature up and help you to stay warm even after you’re no longer moving. If you can get outside for a walk, you can bank some full spectrum light, get your circulation flowing, increase your oxygen levels, and maybe even work up a little sweat. All wins! If you can’t get outside, that’s okay, even doing a light exercise or stretching routine will help you increase your circulation, oxygen levels, and increase your core body temperature. If you have a treadmill, bike trainer, a yoga mat, or some light weights, give yourself permission to use them because it will help you to warm up and you will also benefit from endorphins from moving your body.
Insomnia issues can sometimes occur from being too cold throughout the night. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because you’re too cold even with extra blankets, socks, and flannel pajamas, you’re not alone. Your feet may be too cold (even with socks) which could be keeping you from warming up and sleeping through the night. If you have an electric blanket, you may want to get it out and see if that helps improve your quality of sleep. I highly recommend using a hot water bottle…yes, seriously, yes, the ones from old back and white movies. Okay, I know what you’re thinking but they are still available and in recent years I’ve seen them in a lot of stores with a variety of cozy covers in nearly ever fabric you can imagine. They really do work and they stay hot throughout the night so your feet will stay warm and you can have deeper, and higher quality sleep. They only trick with them is to double check that the top is screwed in all the way before placing it at the bottom of your bed. I recommend placing it in your bed 45 minutes to an hour before you’re ready to sleep but any time is great. You can find them online and in lots of home style stores too.
Bring plants inside your home to help increase oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. We tend to spend a lot of time indoors when it’s cold outside and the air in our homes can get stale and stagnant. Bringing large leafed plants into the home can help to clear the air while also adding color and the beauty of nature. Color therapy with plants and flowers can help to add life to your home and the color can be very uplifting and supportive in more ways than one.
If you use diffusers to uplift your mood, the energy in your home, or to create a cozy environment, you may want to try diffusing citrus oils. Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, and Lime are very bright and uplifting scents and can make a positive impact on you and your home. As you make filling your diffusers in the morning a regular practice, it will become natural for you and you’ll probably find that you enjoy using your diffusers regularly.
Say yes to cozy. This is probably my biggest tip for this season. Leaning into soft fabrics, gentle and warming foods and beverages, soft lighting, warm slippers, and winding down from the day when you feel guided even if it’s earlier than you would normally begin your wind down process. Honoring your body and rhythms to the best of your ability can help you more easily move through this season while also enjoying it too.
I hope these self care tips will be helpful and inspire you to cultivate your own personal self care practice this season. I’d love to hear what’s working for you! I hope you are enjoying a very happy holiday season.
I’m sending you so much love and support from my teeny corner of the world, right to you.
With deepest love and gratitude,
Kristy~ xoxo
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