5 Easy To Do Winter Wellness Hacks

Shorter days and chilly weather make it harder to soak in the sunshine during wintertime. If you live in a seasonal part of the world, that means you probably don’t get enough vitamin D in the winter. Nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin”, this important nutrient is normally absorbed through the sun’s rays. Vitamin D helps regulate mood, prevents illness, and relieves pain. 

When you can’t get natural sunlight, you can still get your dose of vitamin D. You can also get vitamin D nutritionally by eating salmon, mushrooms, herring, egg yolk, and cod liver oil. Or, take a supplement to meet the recommended daily amount of 600 IU.

When the sun does come out, try and spend some time outdoors with winter activities like ice skating, sledding, and snowball fights to stay active outside of the gym.

During the winter, people spend more time indoors with the windows shut. This can increase the chances of catching a cold or flu. So you’ll want to keep your immune system working at its best. Herbs can boost your immune system, like garlic, ginger, horseradish, onion, and apple cider vinegar. Doctors from Harvard Health also recommend getting enough sleep, light exercise, and washing hands. 

You should also avoid stress or drinking alcohol in excess, as these can compromise your immune system. Find other ways to relax, like taking a long, hot bath, drinking warm tea, or doing yoga, particularly important during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. 

Winter air has lower humidity. This can cause your skin to feel dry or aggravate the sinuses. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, soothing the skin, nose, throat, and lips. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home

Then, turn to some tried and true ayurvedic skin treatments. Try abhyanga (daily self-massage) using restorative coconut oil. Drink warm tea or water with lemon to stay hydrated from the inside out. 

You can also use camphor, an oil extracted from the wood of camphor trees, used in treatments like Vicks VapoRub. Camphor relieves pain and treats dryness of the skin. A study published in Pediatrics also found that camphor improves respiration, cough, and congestion.

If you get a little blue during the winter, you’re not alone. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) causes many to feel serious mood shifts and low energy levels, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. If you do suffer from severe SAD, make sure to reach out for help and speak to a professional. When you ignore unpleasant emotions, they can manifest in unhealthy ways.

If you notice yourself feeling down, take a moment of meditation. Notice where you feel tension. Do you feel pressure in the shoulders? Neck? Head? Chest? Breathe into these areas. When you listen to the emotions in your body, you can understand what triggers them and allow them to release, rather than cause illness or stress in the body.

You can also give yourself the time to do the things that make you smile. Take a break and rest when you feel tired. Enjoy some moments of self-care, like taking a bubble bath, listening to your favorite music, or just dancing around the house. Put on a funny movie or call your best friend. You can also order your favorite delivery or cook foods that improve emotional wellbeing.

Even if winter isn’t your favorite season, you can still find things to enjoy during the wintertime. Rather than complain, focus on what you do like. Go outside and build a snowman and afterwards you can cuddle up under the covers, drink a latte, or enjoy a movie by the fireside. Enjoy the activities you can only do during this time of year. When you embrace the season, you’ll simply enjoy it more!

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