As you hopefully enjoy some well-deserved downtime before we approach the craziness of another New Year, I wanted to share with you some really simple and natural ways to support your wellbeing this Winter.

1 — Tackle poor sleep

I’ve put this at the top of the list even though I know that not everyone struggles with poor sleep – feel free to skip to point 2 below if you are one of these lucky people.

I did this because if you do regularly struggle to get enough, good quality sleep, it doesn’t matter what else you try to do for your wellbeing – eat a more nutritious diet,  do more regular exercise, learn to meditate or to better manage your stress levels – you are doomed to fail before you even start if you are exhausted from lack of sleep.

Also, if you are suffering with chronic insomnia, getting a handle on this alone will have the biggest impact on your physical and emotional health.

My advice is to stop trying all of the over the counter ‘sleep aids’ and ‘sleep hygiene’ tips that fill the internet (I tried them all previously and you should save your money and time) and book a free discovery call with me to create a good sleep action plan that is bespoke to your needs.

2 — Protect yourself from cold and flu symptoms

Our best natural defence barrier to cold and flu viruses and other winter diseases is our immune system. If we are experiencing poor sleep or high levels of stress this protective system is compromised and may be much less effective at doing its important job.

Boost your immune system naturally by eating a nutritious, gut-friendly diet, maybe taking a vitamin D supplement if appropriate (speak to your medical practitioner) and take steps to improve sleep  and better manage stress (see below).

Regular handwashing is still important too and I highly recommend the organic Defend and Protect hand care products from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Not only do they cleanse and nourish your hands naturally and gently but the purifying blend of organic niaouli, lemon grass and witch hazel will leave hands feeling clean, fresh and protected.   

If you do come down with a cold then Neal’s Yard also have a good range of natural herbal remedies to support you through it. Check out the Eucalyptus Pastilles  , Eucalyptus Salve  and the Multi Vitamin and Mineral Boost

 

3 — Use the power of aromatherapy

Essential oils can be a fantastic support to your winter wellbeing. A few drops added to a diffuser, onto a handkerchief or into your bath can help support both the body and mind.

Try oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree to help with nasal congestion and sinus problems.

Lavender, Ylang Ylang and mandarin can help with better sleep. Citrus oils such as orange, lemon, grapefruit  and lime are great mood boosters.

If you are nervous about mixing your own oils then Neal’s Yard have some fantastic blends already done for you. Check them out here

The Organic Defence and De-stress blends are my personal favourites this time of year.

4 — Mindfulness and stress reduction

Above I told you how important it is to manage stress to support our immune system but high levels of stress can have a significant impact on many aspects f our physical and emotional health.

If you are noticing that during this period of time when perhaps you are not working that you feel more relaxed and some of your physical and mental symptoms have reduced, then that’s a sure sign that you need to put things in place to better manage your stress when back at work.

Mindfulness can be a fantastic tool for stress management: it is simple to learn, easy to practice in the main and fits smoothly into even the busiest of days when you know how to.

If you are thinking, “I’ve tried meditating and I just can’t get my mind to switch off”, then you’ve not been supported to use mindfulness in the right way.

If you want to learn how to use mindfulness effectively then I highly recommend you join the Five Minute Mindfulness Challenge starting on 2nd January. It’s totally free and easy to follow for absolute beginners or more practiced mindfulness converts.

I will also be running a brand new Mindfulness Club Starting on 15th January online via Zoom which costs just £5 per session

5 — Warm baths and hot showers

It may be a cliché to say that a warm bubble bath is selfcare and although it may not cure everything, it can definitely form a part of your winter selfcare routine.

The simple act of taking time out to lock the bathroom door, pop a scented candle or reed diffuser on and spend some time with your own thoughts indulging in a warm bath or hot shower can be incredibly restorative. It sends a signal to your brain that you matter too, and helps you fill back up your cup so you can keep helping others.

A warm bath helps to relax tense muscles, stimulate blood circulation and soothe the mind. A warm bath or hot shower half an hour before bed is also an important part of a good bedtime routine for better sleep as it helps your body to naturally reduce your core temperature by the 1 degree it needs to help you drift off.

Neal’s Yard have a fantastic range of bath salts and foaming baths as well as aromatherapy shower gels   

 

Staying well in body and mind this Winter doesn’t have to all be about grand gestures or punitive regimes that are difficult to stick to. With just a few simple additions to your every day routine you can improve your sleep, boost your immune system and your mood, better manage your stress and replenish body and mind.

 

NB. If you purchase any products from Neal’s Yard using the links in this article you are helping to support my own small business.