Winter is upon us, and there’s nothing we can do about it. You may not think you need to change your health and beauty regimine seasonally, but I disagree! Here are my tips for looking and feeling good during the winter months:
1. Moisturize
Hopefully you moisturize your skin year round. If not, moisturize your skin year round. You may not realize that your moisturizer should change depending on the season and your skin type. This applies moreso to girls with skin that is not either very dry or very oily, but somewhere in the middle. For the winter time, your moisturizer should be decently thicker and creamier than the moisturizer you use in the summer. A thicker moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated during the dry months. Don’t forget to take the moisturizer down your neck too. For best hydration results, moisturize immediately after you wash your face! Don’t get dressed, do your hair, or eat breakfast and then moisturize-moisturize first! I love the brand Ponds for my winter moisturizer-it comes in a little tub, and the lotion is so thick and creamy without clogging my pores.
Not only should you moisturize your face, but you should make an extra effort to moisturize the rest of your body. Lather up your body in lotion post-shower to prevent scaley legs or crackling elbows. I also recommend carrying a travel size, perfume-less hand lotion, so your hands don’t dry out from being washed throughout the day.
2. Hydrate Your Hair
You may not think your hair gets drier in the Winter, but it can. Prevent dry, brittle hair by applying a little more conditioner than usual. Focus mainly on the ends of your hair to prevent a conditioner build up on your scalp which can leave an oily finish. Winter is also a great time to try out any hair masks- DIY or store bought. Remember to concentrate the mask on the ends of your hair. Of course keep up with your regular trims to chop off those split ends.
3. Wash Your Hands
As far as keeping yourself healthy, wash your hands! I cannot stress this enough. I can’t tell you how many adults I have seen use the bathroom, and then walk out the door without thoroughly washing his/her hands. So gross! I hate to sound like your first grade teacher, but make sure you use soap and water and lather your hands for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget to get under your nails and between your fingers. This may seem silly and unneccessary, but thoroughly cleaning your hands will kill lots of bacteria and germs.
Remember to wash your hands after you use the bathroom, before you eat, after you touch a popular object (CTA handle, money, etc), and before you wash your face, apply your makeup or any time you need to touch your face.
4. Wash Your Things
Obviously everyone hates laundry. Especially when you have to pay for it, especially when you have to walk outside, and down three flights of stairs to a creepy dark basement. But making an effort to wash your scarves, hats, gloves, and bedding can help prevent sickness. Think of all the times you accidentally sneezed into your scarf, and all the poles you’ve held on the CTA while wearing gloves. Washing your pillow cases and sheets every two weeks will ensure that where you spend almost half your day will be clean and fresh. Bonus: washing your pillow cases frequently will prevent pimples!
Don’t forget to wipe down your phone, remote, door knobs, faucets, etc. with a disinfectant spray or wipe. You don’t have to do this everyday, but once a week will help keep you feeling healthy.
5. Drink Plenty of Fluids
Again, I don’t mean to sound like your mom, but drink plenty of fluids! This means water-not pop, juice, or alcohol. I can’t stress enough how good water is for your body. Get yourself a big reusable bottle and challenge yourself to drink at least two bottles a day. You will thank me! You will feel more energized and lively. Not to mention, drinking that much water will cause you to have to use the bathroom frequently. This is good because when you use the bathroom, your body is flushing out the bad toxins and cells that cause you to get sick. Drinking lots of water also prevents dehydration and overeating. If you find youself struggling to get in at least two bottles of water a day, try infusing your water with lemons, limes, cucumber, or your favorite fruits. Pop and juice are okay in moderation, just remember they both contain high amounts of sugar, so treat them as your dessert, not your form of daily hydration.
6. Sleep
I understand this is easier said than done. Some days you just don’t have the ability to get to bed by 10:00. That’s completely understandable. Just don’t make a habit of going to bed at 2:00 AM everyday. Schedule your time differently, do your homework earlier in the evening, watch less TV before bed, work out in the morning, etc. so you can get plenty of rest during these cold and flu months. You will feel better, and your body will be better able to fight off disease.
These are just some simple ways I like to keep myself looking and feeling good during the Winter. I hope they help you too!