Holistic Ways to Keep Your Mind and Body Healthy This Winter

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Winter weather brings cozy nights indoors and a holiday spirit.

However, cold weather can disrupt your body’s natural processes. As the weather changes, your body will try to acclimate to the cooler temperatures.

Adjusting to the season can be challenging when you don’t know where to begin.

Here are some holistic ways to encourage winter wellness this season.

1. Get Plenty of Sleep

The winter brings earlier sunsets and less natural daylight. The lack of sunlight in the evening can make you want to go to bed earlier. You aren’t alone – 34% of U.S. adults sleep more than usual in the winter. Embrace the temptation to curl up in bed earlier and take some time for yourself.

Invest time in a good book or write in a journal. Winter is an excellent time for introspection. Writing can allow you to reflect and focus on your goals and aspirations for the new year.

Adjusting your sleep schedule to fit the season can help you feel less groggy throughout the day. Go to bed earlier or sleep later if your schedule allows it to be more in sync with the sun’s rhythm and daylight hours.

2. Prioritize Healthy Eating

Colder weather can make you want to devour all the delicious seasonal foods. Comfort food is an excellent way to cope with the changing seasons, but it can harm your health if you divulge too much. Consider healthy alternatives to your favorite foods, like learning how to enhance the nutrient content of pizza and preparing warm soups chock full of vegetables and broths.

When you make these, you should definitely add spices like black pepper and cloves. Not only do these taste fantastic, but they have Beta-Caryophyllene in them too. But what is CBD (Beta-Caryophyllene)? Well, this is a natural compound found in a lot of plants (especially in black pepper and cloves), and it interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, pain, and inflammation.

The warmth that soups provide to your soul in the winter is unlike any other feeling – its coziness and contentment are wrapped and sealed with a bow.

If you’re looking for other ways to unwind, THC Gummies have also gained popularity as a cozy treat during the colder months, providing relaxation without the need for traditional comfort foods.

Healthy alternatives can encourage you to continue healthy eating habits throughout the colder months while still getting delicious treats of the season.

Related Reads:
• How to Ground Yourself in the Winter
• Mindful Winter Self-Care Ideas to Balance Your Life

3. Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness during winter is essential to your overall health and well-being.

The cold weather can bring your spirits down – the lack of natural sunlight in the evening hours can be saddening.

Find stillness in moments of gratitude and mindfulness. Don’t let the winter blues consume you.

Mindfulness practices help you find balance and positivity and can lower your stress levels.

You can practice mindfulness in many ways, like taking mindful nature walks and noticing the colors and energies surrounding you. Pay attention to how your surroundings make you feel and notice what they evoke in you.

Some other examples of mindful practices are taking yoga classes, journaling, meditating, and de-cluttering your closets or living space.

4. Move Your Body

Frequent exercise can significantly benefit your overall health and keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Exercise can warm up your body and get your adrenaline pumping to secrete all of those feel-good hormones you might miss from the warmer months. Consider adjusting your exercise routine to fit the season and switch things up a bit.

Sign up for classes at the gym or start working out at home for a change of pace. Yoga is an excellent exercise that can slow things down and help you find your center while still reaping the benefits of exercising.

5. Practice Self-Care

Winter is an excellent time to practice self-care since you’re cooped up most of the time due to the cold weather.

Do more things that make you feel better about yourself, like getting a manicure or taking long bubble baths. Avoid getting sucked into watching too much television and limit your screen time on your phone or tablet.

Too much time on your screen can make you feel more secluded or invoke a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). Since the weather will likely keep you indoors more, it’s an excellent time to learn a new craft or hobby. Consider teaching yourself how to knit by watching tutorials online or joining a class. You could experiment with cooking or revisit an old hobby like scrapbooking that you’ve been neglecting for months.

6. Wear Warm Clothing

Warm clothing can keep you healthy during the cooler months.

Some cultures believe that colds and infections can enter your body through the back of your neck. Whether that belief holds true or not, it’s important to cover up to protect yourself from the cold. Ensure you keep your feet warm and dry to prevent illness.

Waterproof boots are an excellent way to prevent getting wet during the snow or other storms in the winter. You’ll want to ensure you stay dry and warm to prevent hypothermia or other forms of sickness. It’s important to remember to dress warmly, especially if you’re planning on exercising in the cold. Even if you get hot, you’ll want to ensure you’re protected from the harsh weather and its effects on your body.

7. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Winter has a way of drying out your skin and your body.

Ensure you stay hydrated and moisturized during this cold season. If you wake up with chapped lips or a dry mouth, that’s a sure sign that you need more hydration. You may not feel like you need to quench your thirst as much when it’s cold out, but you still need to hydrate yourself.

Water has myriad benefits for your body regardless of the season. It can help digestion, support your immune system, relieve fatigue, and regulate your body temperature.

Drinking a warm glass of water in the morning can boost your digestive system and wake you up.

Hydration can also increase your brain performance and help you stay focused, which can help with the shortened daylight hours that make you feel tired earlier.

Staying Healthy This Winter

Utilize these holistic tips to stay as healthy as possible this winter.

These tips can boost your immune system and ensure you’re in the best position to fight off illness fast.

Cold and flu season can be brutal for everyone, but practicing these holistic tips can ensure you’re ready for winter and all it has to offer!