Winter has finally dawned upon us. The lower temperatures and calmer weather helps reduce stress and irritability. Along with its joyful festivals, this season is welcomed whole-heartedly by everyone. However, little does everyone realise that, this in fact, is the season when wellness is the most important. Treat your body as a place of worship. Here is a quick guide on small ways to keep yourself as fit as a fiddle this season.
Diet
Diseases take their rounds during winter. Hence, it’s of utmost importance to keep yourself healthy and strong. Your immune system should be well-geared to ward off any threats to the body. Changing everyday food habits can greatly help. Here are a few measures you can take:
- Honey is a good alternative to sugar as a sweetener. It keeps the body warm and helps fight viruses that might cause cough and cold.
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach are an ideal inclusion in your winter diet. Its anti-oxidant properties and high vitamin count make it good for the hair and skin.
- A lot of citrus fruits, especially oranges, are in season during winter. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and are good for the skin and metabolism.
- Garlic helps keep the body warm and has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight different winter diseases.
- Avoid white carbohydrate foods like bread, cakes, pasta and rice. They promote weight gain as they are digested quickly and cause your blood-sugar and insulin levels to spike. Switch to whole-grain varieties instead.
For comprehensive consultation on maintaining a healthy diet, contact our Nutrition Department:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutrition.html
Body Care
The cooler weather strips off moisture from the skin. A regular day time lotion may not be enough to keep your body moisturized for 24 hours. Try to replace your lotion with an oil or an extra-nourishing lotion. Aromatherapy can also work wonders. Use some lavender oil while in the shower or add a few drops of olive oil in the bucket. Avoid taking very hot showers or exfoliating too much, as it’ll just make your skin more fragile. Winter is actually as damaging as summer sun so apply a generous amount of sunscreen to any exposed areas before you step out. In the night, treat your skin to a rich cream massage. To support extremely dry, cracking heels or rough elbows, massage those spots with organic castor oil. Daily application during winter can help heal cracks and smooth out stubborn roughness.
For skin care treatments, contact the experts at The Aesthetic Clinic:
https://www.aestheticlinic.co.in/
Face Care
Your face is especially sensitive to harsh, cool winds. Following a strict face-care routine is advisable. This includes cleansing off all the dirt with a light face wash, followed by toning and moisturizing. You can indulge in natural moisturising by using warm almond or extra virgin olive oil and use it as a night massage routine. Home-made face packs are highly effective. Use ingredients like avocado, yogurt, honey, bananas, olive oil and aloe vera to make nourishing masks. Treat chapped lips by using petroleum jelly or an over-the-counter lip balm.
Hair Care
The cold weather can create a havoc on your hair. Keep your tresses silky and healthy with the following tips.
- Purchase a good quality shampoo and conditioner but avoid using too much of shampoo, as the chemicals may be harsh. Wash your hair not more than twice a week and use lukewarm water to avoid frizziness.
- Apply a nourishing hair mask once a week to keep your scalp healthy.
- Avoid using a hairdryer. It is always good to let your hair dry naturally.
- Moisturise your hair once a week with a hot oil treatment to promote a healthy scalp and nourished hair. Some natural oils that work effectively are coconut oil, avocado oil and almond oil.
- Make sure to wear a scarf or a hat to lock in the moisture of your locks and to save it from breakage.
- Also, to avoid static-prone hair that flies all over the place, keep your hair tied up as much as possible, especially when outdoors, or while exercising.
Here a few additional tips to keep going strong during the winter:
- Varying temperatures often irritate the nose and throat. The beauty of ayurveda comes into play here. Nasya oil is usually a sesame or sunflower oil base, infused with stimulating herbs to energize and refresh the mind, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemon. It helps to soothe the nasal passage.
- Consult a doctor about taking a flu jab. If you’re a diabetes, kidney disease or asthma patient, your likeliness of caching a flu is greater.
- Some of the ways arthritis patients can get pain relief is by dressing warmly, working out inside, and getting enough vitamin D. Massages are also extremely comforting. If the pain is consistent, don’t hesitate to contact our Pain Clinic:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/painclinic.html
Winter can be rough for those who aren’t prepared to face it. Therefore, going that extra step to pamper your body is imperative.
