Winter getting you down? Here’s how to relax

 

The winter weather has been roaring for a few months, and it’s only getting worse. The result? Skin that’s drier than the Mojave Desert, pores with the same vitality as a terminal patient and the pallid, sallow cheeks of a vampire.



It’s not a great time of year to be feeling ratty. The long night times of winter can throw off your circadian rhythm, meaning you’ll sleep less and struggle through the day in a miasma of exhaustion more often.

With that in mind, we’ve thought up a few great ways to help you relax. They won’t monopolise your time or cost you a pretty penny – but they will make your winter a little more bearable.

The perfect shower
There are few more satisfying sensations than the lick of hot water from a morning shower. But chances are you’re not enjoying yours to its fullest extent.

What you need are some of the finest quality washing products to ease you into your day. For hair, try some WEN cleansing conditioner and enjoy luscious locks. If you fancy cleaner skin, a vegan soap will wash off dirt and flakes without leaving you with rashes or blotchy patches (a particular hazard for easily irritable skin).

Once you’ve got these essentials perfected, your morning rinse under the shower will start to feel luxurious.

A perfect rubdown

Sometimes you have to take time out of your day to feel beautiful – but we can’t all attend retreats in the Alps. So, you’ll need to make do with what you can.

If you’ve got a spare room or a garage, then why not create a relaxation area, replete with a massage area for a wonderful rub down?

Invest in some lotions, potions and a relaxation CD, and invite your partner to give you a loving massage. You’ll both feel more relaxed by the time you’re done.

A deep breath
The winter weather creates myriad stresses, with some people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The need to relax is much greater in the chilly season – but all you really need to do is take a deep breath.

Breathing exercises are a positive way to boost your mood, pumping extra oxygen into your body and leaving you feeling brighter, no matter what the weather.

A few breathing exercises can be performed anywhere, whether you’re walking down the road or in your home.

Start a morning jog
Trying to exercise in the winter feels like a feverish uphill struggle. But a simple morning jog will pump air into your lungs, lift your mood and make you look healthier throughout the chilly period. By the time spring arrives, you’ll be fighting fit!