5 Top Tips for Winter Wellness (When All You Want to Do is Hibernate)
Apparently we have a cold snap coming! About time too I say, this warm November is messing with my head, ‘when am I supposed to pack the flip flops away?’
I love the dark days when the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, wrapping up in a blanket and binge-watch some favourite programs. (I spent a lovely Saturday afternoon last weekend watching Leo – a cartoon about a school lizard, highly recommend!)
But my motivation to exercise and eat well feels like a distant memory as I start making plans for Christmas. And with the lure of cosy jumpers, winter coats, hats for bad hair days, there is so much to love about Winter coming.
Reminding myself, and you, that winter wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult, I’ve written out my 5 tips for keeping body and mind happy and healthy during the darker months ahead. It’s a reminder to myself as well as you. 🤗
Move Your Body (But Make It Cosy)
I really dislike running and I am the last person who will say – ‘lets go for a run’. So, I’m not saying you have to go for a 5am run in the freezing cold (unless that’s your thing!). Instead, think gentle movement that feels good. Maybe it’s some morning stretches while your coffee brews, a lunchtime walk wrapped up warm, or even a dance party in your living room. The key is to keep your body moving without it feeling like a chore. Remember: any movement is better than no movement!
A confession, this morning I lay in bed trying to decide – gym or swim, gym or swim, gym or swim. The easiest option would be stay in bed, but I felt I needed to move and do something. I had to force myself up and found myself in the pool. I’m glad I did, my body felt good after, plus I bumped into an old friend and had a quick catch up.
Nourish Your Skin
Just because you’re covered up in woolly jumpers doesn’t mean your skin should be neglected! Hiding it is ignoring it. Winter can be super harsh on our skin, so it’s actually MORE important to keep up with your skincare routine now. Book in for a facial (my Temple Spa treatments are perfect for winter skin), treat yourself to regular aromatherapy massages, and keep your body hydrated from the inside out. Or have you tried the fabulous shower gel?
Speaking of hydration – yes, you still need to drink water in winter! Hot water with lemon, herbal teas, and warming broths all count towards your daily intake. Warm winter soups – check out my recipe below (its really easy) – are nourishing, easy to digest when we feel sluggish and help keep the bugs at bay.
Schedule Your Self-Care
Here’s the thing about self-care – if we don’t plan it, it often doesn’t happen. And during the busy festive season it’s usually the first thing to slip. That’s why I recommend actually blocking out time in your calendar for wellness activities, whether that’s a monthly massage, a weekly at-home facial, or just 15 minutes of quiet time each day.
Remember, setting boundaries around your self-care isn’t selfish – it’s necessary. When family obligations and festive expectations start piling up, having these wellness appointments already in your diary can help you maintain some much-needed balance.
Embrace the Power of Scent
You know that cosy feeling you get when you walk into a room filled with winter aromas? There’s actually science behind it!
Next month, I’ve created a combination of orange, cinnamon, frankincense, and pine for the treatment room – it’s a festive hug for your senses. Try adding these scents, either together or select your favourites, into your daily routine through aromatherapy massage, essential oil diffusers, or even your morning shower products. These warming aromas can help boost your mood and energy levels, even on the greyest of days.
If you have experienced ‘joyful’ after a treatment with me and loved it click here
Create Your Own Light
Yes, the days are shorter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create our own warmth and light. Try setting up a cosy corner in your home with soft lighting, comfortable cushions, and perhaps a SAD lamp if you feel the winter blues creeping in. If you have been connected with me for a while, you might remember doing this during lockdown when we were all searching for a quiet spot. Has it vanished as life changed? This would be a great time to reinvent your ‘quiet’ space. Make this your dedicated self-care space – perfect for meditation, reading, or simply taking five minutes to breathe deeply and reset. Grab a cup of warm tea or coffee and pause.
A Little Extra TLC
And if you’re struggling to maintain your wellness routine? That’s where I come in. My range of treatments are specifically designed to support you through the winter months. From the warming aromatherapy massages to my deeply nourishing facials, I’ve got everything you need to keep your winter wellness on track.
Plus, with gift vouchers now available, you can share the gift of wellness with your loved ones too. Because let’s face it – we all know someone who could use a little extra TLC this time of year!
Winter wellness isn’t about pursuing perfection or forcing yourself to stick to rigid routines. It’s about finding what works for you, being gentle with yourself, and creating little pockets of warmth and joy in the darker months. And if that occasionally means watching Netflix under a blanket with a hot chocolate? That counts as self-care too!
Need some extra support with your winter wellness routine? Message me – I’m always here to help you find your glow, even in the depths of winter!
Winter Soup Recipe:
1/2 onion
2 medium potatoes
2 medium carrots
1/3 standard size butternut squash
3-5 tsp powdered vegetable stock (or any stock of choice)
water
1-2 tsp harissa paste
- roughly cut all the veg (onion, potatoes,carrot, squash)
- warm a pan large enough for all the veg and a decent amount of water
- add some olive oil and onion, gently sweat the onion until soft
- add all the other veg
- heat the veg for a few minutes and add veg stock
- add enough water to cover the veg and allow it to gently cook the veg until soft
- add the harissa paste and mix well
- once cooked, leave the pan and soup to cool before blitzing in a blend. Do this until smooth. You may need to add more water.
- you should have enough soup for 5 portions, you can add more water for a thinner soup and it will stretch to more people.
enjoy
fore extra texture, nutrition or for fun:
If you need some crunch, add a handful of pumpkin seeds, or almond flakes
If you like texture and eat meat, add in some cooked shredded
For a different flavour, grate parmesan
A dollop of cream or coconut yoghurt for some decadence (or if the harissa is a bit spicy)