November 14th, 2024 Posted In: Beauty, Wellbeing
It is November, the leaves are crisp underfoot and the squelchy footpaths across the fields where I live now offer a slightly firmer footing. Autumn is underway, the temperature dropping and signs of nature, in all its forms, preparing for the darker days ahead are all around.
Time for nurture – giving our bodies considered attention so that we help boost our immune system against the ravages of winter. Walking with my black labrador, watching her sniffing and scurrying through the leaves and across the ridges made by the plough fills me with joy, lifts my heart and I return home calm and clear headed. Getting outside, at least once a day, enables the body to gather vitamin D, it stimulates the mind, improves cognitive function and helps keep bones healthy and muscles toned. Finding what suits you, outside and every day for a little while, will pay dividends to your general health and wellbeing. It can be mindful or energetic, just getting outside is the important thing.
“Light but regular moisture cream is the best way to go, also keeping up spritzing.“
As we layer up our bodies it is tempting to do the same for skin. Clogging the pores with excessive ‘nourishing’ products isn’t going to do anything except make the skin feel heavy as most of the product will simply sit on the skin doing nothing beneficial at all.
Light but regular moisture cream is the best way to go, also keeping up spritzing. Spritzing brings gentle relief to dehydrating skin, especially if you are working anywhere indoors. It can even be applied over make-up. Air conditioning and central heating bring extremes from inside out and outside in, something the skin finds difficult to deal with. Keeping up fluids is very important and, although cold water is not a natural ‘go to’ in the winter months, it is the best beauty product ever, so 6-8 glasses of water a day will work wonders. Sunscreen is still a good idea as rays from the sky and computer screens still attack developing skin cells.
“Cracks in the heels and dry feet can occur once the thick socks, tights and boots go on”
Creams, lotions, milks, gels and oils are weighing shelves down. All promise that they are the nectar of youth. Moving along from the hype, regular anointing with body products will keep the skin supple and better looking than if nothing was applied. Finding what suits your body and lifestyle will encourage the practice to establish and be maintained. Coat everywhere! To keep things safe, cover everywhere you can see, and although you can see them, avoid the nipples as only specialist cream should be used here.
Do you apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands in the autumn and winter? Hands go through a lot generally and need all the help they can get. Sunscreen and hand cream help hands cope and keeps them looking cared for.
Cracks in the heels and dry feet can occur once the thick socks, tights and boots go on. Don’t forget them as they do an amazing job for us. It isn’t necessary to purchase products for the feet and for the hands. Once again, find a product that works for all areas and only get specialist cream for specific purposes. This is not only cost effective but really all that you need.
“Spring will soon pop over the horizon but until then, nurture is the priority.”
Broccoli, spinach, leafy greens, turmeric, ginger, red peppers, garlic, sweet potatoes, peas, cauliflower are just some of the natural ingredients that can be added to recipes or used in homemade soup that boost the immune system.
It is time to be quieter and still, to follow the lead of nature. Spring will soon pop over the horizon but until then, nurture is the priority.
To finish, a quote from Albert Camus – ‘Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is.’ Animals and plants are going into a period of rest. So too should we.
Until next time!
M&S
Bloom & Blossom – body oil
Floral Collection – body, hand and foot products
Superdrug
O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Overnight Cream
Superdrug’s own Intensive Foot Cream
Bio-oil
Boots
Boots own Foot Cream or Hand Cream
Boots Natural Collection Hand or Foot Cream
Bio-oil
Spritz – purchase one that contains glycerine as it captures moisture from the air and draws it into the facial tissue.
Amazon – Heritage Store – ‘Rosewater & Glycerin’
CeraVe products are recommended by dermatologists, available in Boots, Superdrug and in supermarkets. They are light, glorious products that work.