As winter approaches, it’s essential to tweak your healthcare routine accordingly to maintain your overall well-being.  From maintaining your health, and managing your weight, to nourishing your hair and skin, here are some valuable tips to add to your routine:

Maintain Your Overall Health:

• Eat a healthy diet: Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can help boost your immune system and improve your overall health.
• Get enough Vitamin D: Consider speaking to your healthcare provider about getting Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D helps boost your immune system and since there is limited sunlight exposure during winter, supplements might be a good option to make sure your body gets the Vitamin D it needs.

Manage Your Weight:

• Be mindful of your food portions: Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues and practice mindful eating. Slow down when you are eating and listen to your body to know when to stop.
• Stay active: Consider indoor exercises to help you stay active even during the winter. You can find exercise videos online to help you with your exercise routine.

Maintain Healthy Hair:

• Moisturise regularly: Moisturize your hair regularly by using deep conditioning treatments or hair masks to prevent dryness. Consider using natural oils like coconut or argan oil to nourish your hair and scalp.
• Limit heat styling: Reduce the use of heated styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, or hairdryers as they can dry out your hair. If you do use them, apply a heat-protectant hair product.

Maintain Radiant Skin:

• Moisturise daily: Use a rich, hydrating moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out. Products with coconut oil, lavender oil and avocado oil may be good to give your skin the moisture it needs.
• Stay hydrated: Drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated from within.

Be mindful of your mental wellbeing:

• Prioritise self-care: Taking care of yourself is crucial for your mental wellbeing. Simple activities like getting enough rest, eating a balanced diet and engaging in physical exercises, spending time with your loved ones and taking much needed breaks can help boost your mental wellbeing.
• Find healthy coping mechanisms: Healthy coping mechanisms can help you deal with the stresses that come with every day challenges. Find constructive ways to manage stress like practising mindfulness or yoga, keeping a diary, and seeking support from loved ones or a mental healthcare provider.

Self-care is a year-round commitment, even during winter, when it might be a little more challenging. Make a few changes to your routine to accommodate the cold weather to keep healthy from the inside and looking good on the outside.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).