Taking Care Of Yourself In Winter

Winter is well and truly here. Try as you might, you just can’t ignore that sharp drop in temperature - leaving us no choice but to haul out our winter woolies and say a reluctant farewell to summer.

If you aren’t careful, the change of seasons coupled with everyday stresses can get you run down in no time, so it’s even more important to take good care of yourself in winter. We especially need to pay more attention to our beauty needs as the chilly season can wreak havoc on our hair and skin. 

That harsh winter wind can really damage our skin, causing it to dry out and become rough and sore. The best beauty tip for this season is simple – moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Everything can start to feel a bit scaly, so whether it’s your face, hands or anywhere else exposed to the elements, the best remedy is to stock up on luxurious moisturizers, such as the Olay Total Effects Cream. Don’t forget to lather on some moisture rich lip gloss as well, to prevent them becoming chapped.

Winter also has a habit of sucking the moisture out of hair as well, so if yours is looking a bit fly-away, dry or limp, it’s could be time for some TLC. To get your locks back to their former glory, invest in some quality products – a good shampoo and conditioner can make a world of difference to unruly hair. Blasting hot air from heaters also causes major damage so if you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle with frizzy hair, give Herbal Essences None Of Your Frizziness serum a go.

You should also never underestimate the value of intensive hair treatments. These really lock the moisture in, helping to repair the hair and protect against further damage. Head & Shoulders scalp massage is a good one to try if you’re suffering from one of the great torments of winter - a dry and itchy scalp.

Even though we may not be as thirsty as we are in the hotter months, it’s just as important to keep ourselves hydrated in winter as it is in summer. The water from warming winter drinks such as coffee and tea are not enough – in fact, the caffeine in these drinks draw water from the system and promote dehydration. Aim to drink around two litres or eight glasses of water a day – you will notice an improvement not only in how you feel, but also in the condition of your skin and hair.

And just because it’s winter doesn’t mean we can regress back to our cavemen and women days. Fight the fuzz with a quality razor such as Venus Embrace, which keeps legs moisturized while making sure they’re silky smooth and fuzz free.

Despite our best intentions, it’s no secret that once winter arrives, our exercise routine goes flying out the window. Putting our fitness regime on the back burner is one of the worst things we can do during winter, especially considering the types of food we crave during the colder months.

As difficult as it may be to find the motivation to drag ourselves out of a warm bed in the morning, it’s important to make a conscious effort to maintain regular exercise. At least thirty minutes a day will lift those dwindling spirits and help keep those extra kilograms at bay, while also improving circulation and energy levels. No exercise and you’re bound to feel lethargic and sleepy.

The dip in mercury also signals the season for colds and flu’s has arrived – these can escalate to pneumonia if we don’t take care of ourselves properly. Women and children are particularly prone to infection, so keep up a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to improve immunity. Still, no matter how hard we try to fight off these winter nasties, they can and do get the better of us.

Make sure you have a jar of Vicks handy around the home for when the cold or flu strikes – not only will you be taking care of yourself and your family, you will also be supporting the Vicks Road to Relief campaign which is helping to immunize children in developing countries against the measles.

Most importantly, make sure you keep warm! Wrap up with snuggly woolens and keep your head and feet toasty with a beanie and socks. Cold conditions decrease your immunity, opening you up for a range of bacteria and viral infections. No one likes to be feeling miserable with a cold or flu, so protect yourself against those winter bugs by taking good care of yourself!