Healthy ways to end that miserable winter slump
By Parie Joshi
Although winter is almost over, the days are still cold and the dark nights are still too long, making us feel tired and even miserable. To pick up your mood again, here are a few simple things that should get your mind, body and spirit cosy again.
1. Start your morning off right
As a country, there‘s nothing more Britons hate than miserable weather and earlier mornings. To combat this, think about starting your day off right with a nutritious breakfast. As breakfast is the most important meal of the day and will keep you going right until lunch, it’s ideal to have something heart-warming and filling. One option is a bowl of granola topped with honey, yogurt and your favourite fruit – quick and easy to prepare and very tasty.
Another option is a quick smoothie that’s surprisingly filling and fast enough to consume on those busy mornings. For those in need of something quick, buy frozen fruit from the supermarket the day before and bag it up into portions that night; that way in the morning you can quickly blend and drink your smoothie while getting ready for your day (smoothies in the shower are okay, right?). If you’re making your own smoothie, you can also control what goes into it. Need natural non-caffeinated energy in the morning? Drink healthy energy-boosting smoothies by including leafy greens, seeds, citrus, nuts and berries.
My favourite morning smoothie recipes are the neon pink smoothie which has a pretty colour and a tangy taste, and the green smoothie that is a health classic and gives your skin a radiant glow.
2. Restock your kitchen with soup
Around this time of year nothing is better than soup; it’s fresh, healthy and easy to make. Over the weekend, make a large serving to stock the freezer up and then when you need something in a rush all you need to do is defrost and enjoy. Skip the takeaways too, as making your meal at home is so much cheaper (and therapeutic). For some soup inspiration, try this Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Soup or this Easy Carrot & Coriander Soup.
3. Stay healthy & fit
We’re now deeply into winter and it’s time to really start looking after yourself and your health. Continue building up your immune system to prevent catching the common cold and anything else that is going around. Start by incorporating vitamins into your daily routine; zinc, vitamin A and C are all amazing for your body. The easiest way to do this is to eat foods which contains these vitamins. Spinach is a great leafy green to add into your salad, on the side of your dinner or even into your morning smoothie. Another great addition to your diet is sweet potatoes as it’s such a versatile vegetable and contains vitamin A and C.
4. Switch up your beauty
As the weather changes, so does your skin. It’s important to take a step back, look at what you are using and see if it works for you in the colder months as much as it did in the warmer ones. When it comes to winter skincare, people typically need more hydrating products. Try adding a facial oil such as the Pai Rosehip Oil to your routine to add the moisture back into your skin and help it rejuvenate. Don’t skip the SPF too. It’s just as important now as it was in the summer.
Makeup wise, it’s almost time to get ready for spring. Start by using more golds on your eyes, like these Kiko Water Shadows which are great to sweep on some colour without looking too over the top – they double up as great highlighter too. The festive season maybe over, but red on the lips has never looked better. Charlotte Tilbury’s Red Carpet Red is the ideal cool toned red for any skin tone. It has a matte finish that lasts all day and will complement the gold eye perfectly. For your nails, try something flesh toned. It looks amazing with everything and is very subtle. OPI Bubble Bath is the perfect nude-pink for all.
