How to get a bit of winter self care into your days.
Self-care is important every day of the year, but maybe a bit more so through the chillier months.
The dark and rainy days can often put a bit of a downer on our once light and bouncy mood when the sun was shining, and the urge to just curl up in bed and fall into hibernation often becomes overwhelming. But winter, you’re not getting us this year.
We’re upping the self-care this season and saying bye-bye to the winter blues, and here’s how.
Keep your heart rate up
Keeping active in winter is tough. All you want to do is rug up in bed every day to escape the chill, and exercise takes a back seat for many during the colder months. I get it.
Although it may be a battle, keeping your heart rate up and getting in your daily dose of exercise is a huge factor when it comes to fighting the winter blues and keeping your mental health strong. If you’re looking to ease into it, then Myall is the place to be.
Picture this: your own little private escape in the CBD filled with yoga, pilates, meditation, massage, and an infrared sauna. You can pop in on your work break (no getting out of bed required), start the day with a morning flow, or head in at the end of the day to relax and reset. It’s an easy way to get moving without feeling too overwhelmed.
They also offer a 14 day Intro Offer for $39 that provides unlimited access to all yoga, pilates, meditation, and breathwork classes, so you can get a taste before you commit full time.
Indulge in a facial
It’s not often we find time in our busy schedules to pause and do a little something for ourselves, but this year we’re all about that self-love baby.
There’s nothing that can make you feel quite so good as a relaxing facial to get you glowing from the inside out, and it’s the perfect pick me up for the drab winter days where your skin may be feeling a little dull. The next question though – where to go? We rounded up some of the best facials in Perth recently so you’ll have no trouble finding one that suits you.
Take up baking
If winter is good for one thing, it’s loading up with delicious comfort food.
Sometimes you just need to let go of all restrictions and bake up your fave sweet treats for a feel-good feast, and getting busy in the kitchen is also a good way to pass the day while staying warm and cosy inside. Win win.
Sink into the bath with a glass of red
The perfect recipe for some me time? A hot bubble bath with a glass of red in hand.
There’s nothing quite like letting your worries float away in the tub and letting self-care take a front row seat for the evening. Light some candles, plop in a bath bomb if you please, and sink into the warmth for a little bit of R&R.
Go outside (yes, really)
I know, it’s the last thing you want to do when the cold weather hits, but living in Perth does have its perks.
We’re pretty fortunate to have quite a few sunny winter days here on the west coast, and getting your dose of Vitamin D is super important when it comes to mental health and wellness. When the weather permits, get outside and get some sunshine on your face- it’s a great way to increase serotonin and stave off any Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Find your creative side
Move aside dull winter days, we’re bringing some creative fun to the table.
Feeling as though you’re locked up inside can have its benefits, and whether you’re a budding Picasso or can’t even draw a stick man, there’s always something creative you can throw yourself into. Make a scrapbook, buy some clay and start at home pottery, get some paint on a canvas, try your hand at knitting – whatever works.
If you need a little more guidance, there are plenty of pottery classes in Perth to learn a new skill, or get the girls together for a night at paint and sip classes in Perth to escape the rain.
Do some winter cleaning
Decluttering your life can be a great way to not only feel productive, but ease a bit of the daily stress when you look at your stacked messy wardrobe and wonder how it got so out of control.
Getting into some winter cleaning can be an energizing exercise to reduce the anxiety that comes from a messy house. Plus, you might even find some long lost hidden treasures.
Practice meditation
If you’re feeling a bit blue or just looking for an escape, meditation can be the perfect way to practice mindfulness and reconnect with your body. It’s one of the best ways to get in some daily self-care, and may only take a few minutes out of your schedule.
There’s no wrong or right way to meditate – it’s all up to you. You can sit in a quiet space and focus on a mantra, put on a guided meditation through your headphones, or even just go for a walk with no other distractions if sitting still seems too hard.
Adopt a skincare routine
Unfortunately, we can’t afford to treat ourselves every day with a facial, so while we save that for special occasions a good skincare routine at home can help make sure we’re keeping up with our self-care quota.
Winter in particular can wreak havoc on your skin, and most of the time it might feel like you’ve been sucked dry of any moisture with cold winds and indoor heaters. Consider implementing some oils and creams to combat dryness and making a habit of a nightly routine to make you feel good on the outside and inside.
Clear your mind with a float
If you’ve never hit up a float tank before, give it a go this month.
It’s much easier to reach a state of complete zen when you’re in a tank depriving you of all senses as you’re buoyed up by a mix of Epsom salts. You can quite literally float away from all worries and escape the busy buzz of life while you fall into a deep state of relaxation. It may sound daunting at first, but many people swear by this as the ultimate self-care routine.
There are a few places in Perth now that offer a float, with Float Lab, Float & Restore or Beyond rest – just to name a few.
Treat yourself
We’re big advocates for a treat yourself moment, and it’s particularly important in the darker months when life can seem a bit slow.
A big part of self-care is taking the time to allow yourself the things you love, which may involve popping down to a cafe for your fave slice of cake, buying that pair of shoes you saw online that you’ve been obsessing over, scheduling a massage when you’re feeling a little tense, booking in a boujee night at a hotel, heading in for a manicure – the treat yourself opportunities are endless.
Read a book
With the windy days and pouring rain, inside activities are the way to do winter, so use the time to get through that book you’ve been meaning to read.
If you’ve got a heater or fireplace, get it going and perch up with a blanket and cup of tea in hand to dive into the pages. Reading is a great way to enjoy your own private escape while also strengthening your mind and improving your sleep.
Snuggle up for a movie night
Winter = nights in on the couch.
Indulge in yourself with a good old movie night starring that flick you’ve been meaning to watch alongside your better half or a bunch of friends and family – because who wants to head out on the town when you can cosy up inside with a pile of your fave snacks?
Up your immunity
Now more than ever after a recent global pandemic, it’s time to pump up the self-care and get that immunity boosted for the flu season.
Simple ways to get your immune system firing could include incorporating more fruit and veg into your diet, staying hydrated, getting involved in exercise, and making sure your sleep schedule is solid. You can also make yourself an at home immunity shot to fight off any pesky colds. It’s not the greatest taste, but it has plenty of health benefits. Find the recipe here.
Feature Image: @maddibazzocco
