Taking Care of Yourself in the Winter

It's yucky out and it's so easy to stop taking immaculate care of yourself in the winter. No one cares that you haven't shaved your legs for months, and your energy may be sapped from lack of sun. On top of that, there is a host of seasonal issues to deal with like dry skin, chapped lips, and staticky hair! 

But these are actually even better reasons to take extra-good care of yourself in the winter. Here's the WooHooMommy guide:

Warm Baths

I might be a little obsessed with baths. They feel so good, they provide a calming atmosphere to relax and unwind, and they can serve a ton of other purposes. Add a few drops of different essential oils and your bath can transform into a relaxing oasis, an energizing pool, a clarifying soak, or a rejuvenating time. You can add baking soda, epsom salts, and apple cider vinegar for extra detoxification. A squirt of body oil will keep your skin extra soft and moisturized. 

Baths calm your mind and they soothe your body. If you have frequent sore muscles, like I do, they are the absolute best! I like to have my glass of wine and a couple of candles next to me on the bathtub ledge or small table next to the tub. Sometimes I watch a show I love or listen to an audiobook or music while I soak, too.

Care for your Feet

I'm a little crazy on this one and I know it. I have bad feet! I've had bunions since I was probably 6 or 7, and on top of that I spend a lot of time on my feet whether for running, walking, or just standing at work or while cleaning. I remember looking at my grandma's feet when I was little and being appalled. They were so dry and calloused, I had no idea how she could wear sandals without shame. Of course, life is so much more that having nice feet, but something about the combination of already having ugly feet and seeing how much worse they could get has made me vigilant about a daily foot-care routine. I smother my feet in a really creamy lotion or vaseline and then put on cotton socks after my bath or shower, before bed each night. It is actually a relaxing time of the day as well, because just rubbing them provides a little reflexolgy-style massage. I also put lotion on them most mornings when I change into new socks. I regularly give myself "pedicures," scrubbing them with a heavy duty exfoliant and pumice stone during the bath or shower. I finish off by trimming my nails and topping them with a nice gel nail polish for a groomed look.

Skin

I douse my skin in high quality oil after every bath or shower to keep moisture in. For my hands and feet, I use a creamy lotion. If my hands are very dry, I follow the same routine for as for my feet, coating them in creamy lotion and putting on gloves before bed. I also use nice oils for my face, such as rose hip oil or jojoba oil.

Hair

Hair is trickier and I'm still working to find the right defense against frizz and static in the winter, but there are some tricks I've learned. Of course, start with a good quality shampoo and conditioner, and use a deep conditioning treatment weekly, or more depending on your level of damage. Let your hair air dry; do not use heat! Using a metal brush or comb helps with static, as does using a bit of extra styling product or dry shampoo. I like to put my hair into sleep rollers before bed and wake up with gorgeous curls.

Get Some Sun

I know it's hard, but if the weather lets up even for a day, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity and get out in it! I also take vitamin D to help fuel my body with the nutrient that it needs but doesn't get in the winter.

Exercise!
Exercise is the number one thing that will make you feel good whether you see the sun all day or not. If it's just too cold to get outside, find something to do indoors. You could join a gym and play pickleball, swim, or just work out on the machines. If you don't have the time or money for a gym membership, there are still things you can do at home to stay active. If you have access to stairs, use them! Go up and down the stairs at least ten times a day. You can also do lunges, incline push-ups, and more using your stairs. A treadmill is really nice, but if you don't have one you could buy an inexpensive mini trampoline instead. Or you could always do workout videos in the comfort of your own home. There are thousands and they're really fun to try out - anything from dance to yoga! Also, invest in some inexpensive weights, or even use water bottles or cans to lift to strengthen your muscles. 

Hygge

Take a cue from the Danish, who spend plenty of time with cold weather, and use hygge wherever and whenever possible. Hygge (pronounced somewhat like hoo-gah) is a "mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment" and it's really more a feeling than a set of rules. Hygge literally only requires a conscious appreciation, a certain slowness, and the ability to not just be present – but to recognize and enjoy the present. That’s why so many people distill ‘hygge’ down to being a ‘feeling’ - Hyggehouse.com.  That being said, there are some solid techniques that are often associated with hygge, like lighting candles during dinner, lighting a real fire in the fireplace (or in our case, turning on the electric fireplace,) spending quality time with your family and friends, making a gargantuan pot of homemade soup, bringing elements of outdoors into your home such as filling a vase full of pinecones or stones from a walk along the creek you took with your honey, snuggling up with a book and a soft blanket, wearing your thickest, comfiest socks, making hot cocoa, baking bread, and putting away your phone, tablet, and laptop. Of course, the list doesn't stop there! Get creative! If it feels hygge to you, then it is hygge.

Journal

I've always been a big journaler, but only recently discovered bullet journals. And I'm ob-sessed. There's so much you can do with a bullet journal that I love. It can be anything you want it to be: planner, diary, sketch book, budget, cleaning, habits, and more. Look for more posts featuring bullet journals in the future.

Have you tried these? Have more to add? Comment below!