We’re all familiar with the winter blues: moodiness, trouble sleeping, low energy, lack of motivation. Oftentimes, the season doesn’t have us feeling in tip-top shape. Now, while you can’t change the weather or the amount of daylight during the winter, you can practice good self-care. We’ve compiled a few wellness tips and tricks to help get your spirits up and get you back to feeling your absolute best through the months ahead:
1. Let in the light
Soak up the sun as much as you can in the winter. Our bodies need ample sunlight to balance our circadian rhythms and maintain healthy sleep cycles. If you can’t get outside, a great way to seek out sunlight is to open the blinds and sit by the window. For more light, you can buy a light lamp. Light lamps come in different styles and sizes and can help boost your energy and mood. And for even more light, a laser skin treatment can be a great healing tool and mood booster. BBL® photofacial uses intense pulsed light to clear away dark spots and sun damage, revealing a luminous, younger-looking complexion. Halo™ laser skin resurfacing is another invigorating treatment for improving the overall appearance of your skin. Often when you treat yourself on the outside, it can make a world of difference on the inside, improving your energy and reducing stress.
2. Catch some zzz’s
Sleep has a huge effect on your mood. If you want to overcome the winter blues, you will need good quality, regular sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will help your body get into a rhythm for falling asleep and waking up. Now, if falling asleep sounds easier said than done, you’ll want to follow a simple bedtime routine that revolves around rest. This could mean taking a relaxing bath or drinking a cup of herbal tea before bedtime. And remember, put those screens away at least one hour before you want to be asleep. Then in the morning, expose yourself to light as soon as you wake up. As we’ve mentioned before, sunlight and light in general is crucial to maintaining healthy sleep cycles.
3. Get up and moving
It’s tempting to stay snuggled in bed with a comfy blanket, especially during the colder winter mornings. But getting up, moving around and doing some well-needed physical activity has been shown to boost mood, decrease the symptoms of depression and reduce stress. Every bit counts when it comes to exercise. Start slowly and build yourself up to longer, more intense forms of physical activity as you can. Just getting outside every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes, is another way to expose yourself to sunlight and brighten your mood.
The shorter, colder days are tough on all of us, but we want you to know the team at Hendrick Plastic Surgery and MedSpa is here to help! For more wellness tips or to learn about our plastic surgery or medspa treatments, please give us a call at 325.670.5320 or request a consultation online today.