For most of us, winter is the season that brings with it chapped lips, brittle nails, dry and itchy skin, and hair that looks lifeless and damaged. The cold air takes its toll and requires a different approach to caring for our bodies than the one used during the warmer summer months.
But looking and feeling good isn’t just about what you apply to the outside to manage those tell-tale signs of winter woes – it starts from the inside, with what you put in your body.
If you’re keen to rejuvenate your body this winter, it’s time to start taking the phrase “beautiful from the inside out” literally. Making your hair shine, eyes vibrant, and skin look fresh boils down to your body’s superhero ability to regenerate cells and naturally produce those all-important elements like ?rming collagen and moisturising sebum.
To help you with your winter mission, here are six body-boosting practices to help rejuvenate your body (and mind) from the inside out.
Drink more water
You’re probably tired of hearing that hydration is critical, but drinking more water is the fastest, most effective way to help your skin regenerate cells and moisturise itself from the inside out. Water increases the production of new blood and muscle cells and purges toxins from your bloodstream, which helps keep your skin clear. It also balances your lymph system, allowing you to perform daily functions such as fighting infections. Go ahead and add a few lemon or orange slices to your water for a vitamin C boost.
Reduce your intake of sugar and processed foods
Resorting to comfort food might make you feel better in the moment, but it’s not a good idea if you want to boost your body’s ability to function optimally. Skip the vending machine and try to limit your intake of sugary, processed food by replacing your go-to snacks or indulgences with, for example, a square or two of good quality dark chocolate or a bowl of Greek-style yoghurt with fresh fruit and nuts. You’ll not only feel energised, but you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without a guilty conscience.
Load up your plate with antioxidant-rich foods
Antioxidants protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. They break down the most harmful toxins and damage the skin and internal organs. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants is one of the most effective strategies for making sure your body has the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, so get ready to stock up on berries, pecans, dark leafy vegetables, red cabbage, beetroot, and beans.
Eat foods high in prebiotics
In case you missed it, gut health is huge. So, while you’re busy with your shopping list, don’t forget to add foods high in prebiotics. Think along the lines of apples, bananas, barley, chia seeds, garlic, oats, lentils, flax seeds, and leeks and onions.
Prebiotics are a form of non-digestible dietary fibre that serves as a food source for the healthy bacteria in your gut, delivering benefits to the ecosystem that resides in our small and large intestines. If you’re worried about getting enough prebiotics, look for a high-quality supplement.
Get moving
Exercise reduces inflammation in the body and can help your body’s systems – including its detoxification system – function effectively. If you want to, signing up at the gym or downloading the latest HIIT app is a good step, but you can also keep it simple. Walking is an easy way to get in shape and increase your body’s circulation.
Don’t forget self-care
Self-care is important in any season, but it’s even more critical in winter when we may be feeling low about the weather. Begin with something small, like treating yourself to a bath soak that incorporates pure Epsom salts, a gentle body scrub that removes dry, dead skin, applying deep-conditioning hair treatments, using cuticle oil at least once per day, and setting aside 20 minutes every now and then for a skin-clarifying face mask.
Don’t feel pressured to do all of these things at once. Your new rejuvenating routine could start with drinking more water, then progress to integrating more fresh produce into your diet and introducing moderate-intensity exercise. That way, it’ll be easier to stick to, and before you know it, this holistic approach to keeping your body in tip-top shape will be second nature all year long.
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