HCJMU’s Ultimate Winter Wellness Guide

Here at HCJMU, we know that winter can bring with it colds, stress, exhaustion, and for some people, mild depression. With this quick and easy winter wellness guide, you can say goodbye to all of those problems and embrace all the wonderful festivities of the season. This is the time of year we get to see our family come together, celebrate awesome holidays and eat delicious food. At the end of the day, it’s important to keep a smile on your face and live each day in the moment. You have to love and take care of yourself before you can do it for others. Thanks to Natural Health magazine, we truly know just how to make this the best season of them all.

When it comes to schoolwork, obligations, and deadlines…

• Make sure you set specific times so that you will be productive and get work done. Find a space that has minimal distractions and enough sunlight. When a lot of people flood to Carrier   Library, I love going to the top floor of Taylor and finding a comfy chair to sit in that overlooks campus. Find a special hiding place that works for you.
• Since it’s going to get darker earlier, try getting more work done in the daytime and morning so that your nights can be set aside for relaxing and less demanding assignments.

When you need a little “me time”…

• Really, really try to get nine hours of sleep. It’s hard sometimes to think that we have enough time for this crucial activity. Try cutting out some extra curricular activities or obligations that you really aren’t passionate about to find more time.
• There is a difference between “self-care” and “self-indulgence.” So while we all love our junk food and baked goods – don’t overdo it! A small sugar fix will give us energy, but an overload will make us sluggish and dreary.

·         Give yourself an olive oil massage before taking a shower or bath. Heat it just slightly so it’s only warm and rub it into your skin following the natural contours of your body.

When you forget how wonderful water is!

• Try drinking 10 glasses of water a day, especially one just before bed. This refreshing beverage will do wonders for your skin overnight, but overall should be our best friend in the winter months.
• If you can, take baths instead of showers. Use the extra time to sing to your favorite music, relax by candle light, or read a book that’s not on your class syllabus. Add some Epsom salts, tea bags, or maybe lavender to enrich the experience, make you more relaxed, and give your whole body some TLC.

When it’s hard to stick to our normal exercise and health routines…

• Since the cold weather can discourage us from getting outside to soak up maximum vitamin-D, try taking vitamins instead. Omega-3s are also good to look out for.
• Get moving! It’s getting dark earlier so it is even harder to go outside to exercise. Park your car farther from class and walk along to your favorite Pandora station or make a pact with your roommate to go on a walk daily. Sign up for dance classes and do jumping jacks during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. This is such an easy fix to lighten your mood.

When you sit down for a meal…

• Try drinking green tea instead of coffee. You can flavor it with ginger, honey and other natural ingredients to suit your taste. This drink still will give you the caffeine boost but it’s packed with other amazing vitamins and minerals. Also, it gives a great boost to your metabolism! How can you not give it a try?
• Try recipes with mint, ginger, or garlic, as these ingredients can boost your immune system and ward off viruses.

When you’re in the mood for some decorating…

• Get a plant! Indoor plants and gardens add life to a room and taking care of them is relaxing and beneficial to our spiritual health. Choose colors and scents that you enjoy. There are even some herbs you can grow that appeal to specific emotions and moods to keep your room, dorm or apartment happy and healthy.
• Put positive and inspirational quotes on sticky notes on your bathroom mirror! When you get ready in the morning you will instantly feel better reading the affirmations. For some ideas check out our #madisonmotivation tweets at @HerCampusJMU.

Source: http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/health/winter-wellness-guide