Photo by Rodolfo Sanches Carvalho on Unsplash
We’ve all seen the memes and pithy comments about how January feels like the longest month of the year and how it seems like a huge stretch of time until things start to get moving again. Once Christmas and New Year are out of the way, things can often feel a bit…”meh”, especially with the post-festive burnout and rather rotten weather we’re currently experiencing, here in the UK. With this in mind, we thought it was time to give you a Pure Beauty guide to self-care, so that you can put these long, dark nights to good use and emerge in spring feeling replenished:
Sleep is NOT for the Weak!
Before modern society decided that everyone’s day should revolve around the workin’ 9 to 5 ethos, people used to take notice of what the daylight was telling them. We’d be up early but also resting when the sun went down, to make the most of the downtime before the busy spring and summer. Sleep is one of the single most important and restorative things you can do for your body, and rather than viewing it as an inconvenience, we should indulge ourselves and encourage better sleep hygiene. Treat yourself to a soak in the tub using This Works Deep Sleep Bath Oil, spray your pillow with some REN Clean Skincare And Now To Sleep Pillow Spray and slather yourself in Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon to promote deep, restful sleep for healthier-looking skin by morning.
Get Outside
We know it can be hugely tempting to stay inside when it’s cold and miserable, but getting outside in the fresh air can do wonders for your mind and body. Moving around will help to get your blood flowing, improving circulation and brightening your complexion. You can also use Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF30, which has light-activated technology to help boost skin’s natural luminosity and protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.
Light Up Your Life
Getting outside can have more than one benefit – many people suffer from a lack of vitamin D in the darker months and it’s also possible that the low light can affect your moods. According to the NHS, “It’s thought the winter blues, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), affects around 2 million people in the UK and more than 12 million people across northern Europe. It can affect people of any age, including children.” Taking a supplement containing vitamin D, such as Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Complete, can also help hugely, as well as investing in a dedicated sunlight lamp which mimics natural light and helps to lift your moods.
Hydrate Your Body
Many people don’t drink enough during the winter months, simply because drinking cold water isn’t that appealing when the mercury drops. There’s also the added fact that people drink more tea and coffee when it’s cold and caffeine is a diuretic, which contributes to a lack of hydration. Upping your water intake can make a huge difference, as well as adding some intensive moisturisers, such as Decleor White Magnolia Intensive Cure and Aromatherapy Associates Rose Indulgent Body Cream to your daily skincare.
Don’t Spend Too Much Time on Your Devices
It can be tempting to use our phones as a way to stay connected during winter months, particularly if we are perhaps not seeing friends and family as much. While our phones and laptops are a great way to keep in touch, they can also end up becoming a source of stress, therefore it’s important to try to ensure a balance between staying connected and spending time away from your digital devices. It’s also a fact that blue light from phone and tablet screens can be damaging to the skin and can increase the signs of ageing. Elemis Pro-Collagen Morning Matrix reduces the visible signs of tension and fatigue caused by modern-day stressors, such as blue light, so adding this to your routine could be of huge benefit if you feel yourself increasing your screen time.