Putting Together a Winter Self-Care Kit

Winter can be a difficult few months to get through. The cold weather keeps us indoors 
and takes a toll on our bodies. Mood has been shown to be drastically worsened in the 
winter than during any other season. So, before the first blizzard of the year, make sure 
you get are prepared with some simple items that might help you make it until spring 
decides to show up.

Winter Accessories

Just like you would get flip flops and sandals in anticipation for summer, winter needs its 
own accessories. Whether it is a new, comfy hand knit scarf, mittens, or a new beanie 
make sure you have the accessories to keep you warm and safe this winter. The 
extremities get cold the fastest because your body naturally keeps your core, where 
your vital organs are, warm before your hands, toes, and face. Therefore, you will need 
to prepare clothing that will keep them extra toasty this winter.

Skincare Products

The dry, cold winter can have devastating effects on your skin. Make sure you have 
moisturizers to keep your skin nurtured, soft, and not chapped this winter. One of the 
most sensitive areas are the lips, where chapping can happen with the barest exposure 
to a harsh winter. Opt for an "ointment"-type moisturizer that is oil-based rather than 
water-based to create a protective barrier on your skin that will better retain moisture. 
This should prevent cracking, chapping, or itching of the skin, especially if you keep 
them covered up with winter accessories!

Vitamin D Supplements

The body produces vitamin D naturally, but only when it is exposed to regular sunshine. 
Vitamin D is related to bone maintenance, absorption of calcium, balance, and memory. 
During winter months, when the days are shorter and you're inside more often, you will 
have to take a vitamin D supplement to make up for the lack of sunshine and natural 
vitamin D production. Go for clear, football-shaped vitamin D3, which has been shown 
to have a greater effect than vitamin D2, which is white and opaque.

Indoor Workout Plans

Regular exercise is a part of any healthy lifestyle, so it is important to remain active 
throughout the winter months. For those who work out regularly outside, this may not be 
possible after a blizzard, so it is necessary to have plans to do alternative exercises at 
home. 

Most yoga programs can be done at home with the aid of a DVD or an online streaming 
service for both physical, emotional, and mental strengthening. If you have access to a 
car, you can still attend in-person yoga classes, since most of the time will still be spent 
indoors.

High-intensity interval training with bodyweight exercises is another often recommended 
form of indoor exercise, particularly using the 4-minute Tabata method. This is a method 
where you exercise strenuously for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest for 8 
cycles. This has been demonstrated to be equivalent to a 30-minute workout!

Winter can be scary to anticipate, but people have gone through them for millennia with 
a bit of preparation. If you put together a winter self-care kit that addresses your needs, 
you should be able to make it without any problems. Keeping your body healthy and 
active will make the 3 months go by like nothing!

