3 Eco-Friendly Self-Care Ideas for the Winter Months
While the sun may be (very) slowly making its return, the winter still has a ways to go. We still have a lot of time to deal with dry itchy skin, seasonal affect, the flu, and all of the other joys that come with this global positioning. It can be easy to send our self-care habits into hibernation as we withdraw to our homes (for Netflix and chill season) and step out of social settings. Take advantage of this extra time at home to stay connected with yourself.
Check out some of these tips to stay on top of self-care this season in ways that are good for yourself and mother Earth (because it won’t matter how healthy we are if we have nowhere to live).
Yoga for your mind and body
Doing yoga is great for your mental and physical health. Stretching out your muscles releases pent up tension and improves blood flow. This can reduce your feelings of stress while improving your energy. During a time when the lack of daylight can really play a role in your mood, it’s important to take measures to boost your mental health so grab your favorite pair of Lululemon yoga pants and focus on your body. If you’re looking for a new pair (to bribe yourself into working out) but are worried about the implications of contributing to the demand of the fashion industry, there are alternatives to buying brand new that are more sustainable.
Consider trying out an online thrift shop to get reliable Lululemon activewear and help give these gently used items a longer life (which is one of the best things you can do to be a more conscious consumer). Not only does yoga require little to no equipment, you can do it anywhere that you have enough space. Yoga is perfect for finding a way to take care of yourself but avoiding the extra travel to the gym, helping reduce the use of gas and continue to be mindful of your impact on the planet.
Good eats to get the energy the lack of sun is stealing
Especially in areas where winter takes over in full force, it might seem like eating foods that are in season are very limiting. Take some time to look into seasonal winter produce in your area to discover the options that you actually have available. Supporting local farmers is beneficial for a multitude of reasons. These are people you can get to know at markets (and find out their growing practices to be sure they aren’t using any harmful or toxic methods to grow). Eating a produce-packed diet can be really beneficial while we’re out here dodging the flu and all the other germs that seem to spread like crazy at this time of the year.
Shopping locally sourced foods also reduce your grocery carbon footprint as the food does not have to travel nearly as far as it would if it were headed across the country to supermarkets. There’s the added benefit that since it has less distance to travel the food can be picked while it’s ripe and nutrient-rich (rather than being picked early to avoid spoiling during travel and then chemically ripened when it’s closer to its destination).
Self care ala skin care
As the temperature drops, the thermostat spikes (much to the chagrin to dad’s across America) causing many of us to experience dry skin. Not only can dry skin be irritating and itchy but it can be harmful to your health. As your skin dries and cracks you’re just allowing another avenue for germs to enter your body. Keep yourself protected by implementing a proactive skin regimen this winter.
Do the environment a solid and don’t use exfoliators that contain microbeads as they are getting into our waterways and being ingested by ocean life. Instead, try out a homemade sugar scrub to get the same desired results (and bonus points for using an organic cane sugar). Be sure to follow up with a non-toxic skincare product to keep your skin moisturized and protected from the harsh winter elements.
These winter months can be long depending on where you are on this beautiful planet, so take care of yourself!