How does winter affect your mind and body?
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin due to high winds, low humidity and intense home heating. On top of that, with a cold comes the possibility of increased blood pressure, extra strain on the heart and, of course, the likelihood of catching a cold or the dreaded flu.
What's more, the cold weather can alter your mental health, with the NHS predicting it could affect as many as one in fifteen people between September and April.
Read on to find out how to protect your mind, body and skin during the colder months.
Give your skin health
As the weather cools and the air dries out, it's important to take steps to lock in moisture in your skin so it doesn't dry out. The way to achieve this is by stepping up your skin care regimen. Winter is no time to skimp on skin care, and your usual light lotion may not be enough.
In the morning, opt for a rich cream like Elemis Daily Moisture Boost, and at night choose a heavy-duty moisturizer like Elemis Overnight Matrix, a decadent wrinkle-smoothing night cream. Or, Murad Overnight Detox Skin, which detoxifies your skin while you sleep.
Once a week or more, apply a rich mask containing collagen. Collagen is a wonder ingredient that helps heal the redness and dryness caused by a cold, plus it gives your skin a boost of much-needed moisture.
This time of year is perfect to protect your skin by getting a facial. Spa Experience offers a range of facials for your face.
Biotec facial is especially effective during the winter months. This soothing treatment uses advanced 5-in-1 bio-electric technology that works in synergy with your skin's bio-electric field to gently lift the skin's surface and give it extra strength. All this leaves you with revived, radiant and, what is more important, protected skin.
Protect your breasts.
This winter you can expect an attack of colds and flu, so we recommend that you take our 6 steps to strengthen your immune system:
- Focus on getting the right nutrients.
- Take steps to stay hydrated.
- Get a good rest.
- During the winter, consume as much vitamin C as possible, as well as other powerful antioxidants, most of which can be found in fruits and vegetables. (Top tip: opt for richly colored produce; the deeper the tone, the higher the antioxidant count!)
- Warm yourself up. Falling temperatures during winter can affect your body's ability to fight infections, so stay warm in your house and pull out the covers!
- Consider visiting thermal spas to give your body warmth and relaxation.
Follow these steps and there's a good chance you'll make it through the cold winter months without sneezing.
Don't neglect your hands, legs and feet
Cold weather no longer dries out your skin and makes you feel cold - the far bigger concern is that it can constrict your arteries and blood vessels, which in turn restricts blood circulation and reduces oxygen to your heart.
Because of this, your heart is forced to beat faster to circulate blood through the narrowed vessels and, as a result, your heart rate and blood pressure increase.
Blood flow is important not only now, but also later in life, as high blood pressure often leads to heart failure. So it's crucial that you do everything you can to ensure your blood is circulating properly.
How to ensure adequate blood circulation
- Exercise is a great way to get your blood flowing. Try for at least 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise.
Get regular massages in the winter. Massage is a great way to stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation, so be sure to book a massage (or three!) this winter. - Try to drink more water because dehydration leads to poor blood circulation.
- If you smoke, it may be time to stop, as poor circulation is one of the most harmful side effects of cigarettes.
Source: https://www.spaexperience.org.uk/