Self-Care In The Winter Months
It's long been known that weather changes negatively affect mental health for many people. As the seasons change and there's less sunlight during the day, children and adults can feel tired, irritable, and even sad.
What happens in winter is the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin is decreased, while melatonin is increased. This means you'll likely feel more sleepy, irritable, and sad during these months.
One way to combat the winter blues is to build a self-care selection at home or at work. This means buying or creating soft and inviting things - and having them at your fingertips.
How to Create a Self-Care Environment
• Buy candles, room sprays, or essential oils with scents that relax you.
• Select a mug or cup that's special or comforting to you. Have one that's special in this way both at home and at work. Fill it with soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, warm milk - and enjoy the moment.
• Plan for self-soothing by having preset radio stations that play relaxing music or playlists that bring spa-like surround sounds.
• Keep a stock of beauty and health products, like sugar scrubs, bath salts, shower fizzies, masks, and lotions so they're easy to use.
• Make sure you have comfort foods or baking items on hand to cook for those moments of culinary self-care.
• Keep coloring books, writing journals, and art supplies near so creative self-expression happens easily.
• Don't forget to use the simple art of moving, stretching, and walking to awaken and soothe your body during the winter months.
Photo: ©iStock.com/Galina Sandalova
