Winter Survival Kit For Skin!
With the right skin regimen you can make the most of every winter day!
With decreased daylight and cold, crisp nights, winter can bring out the urge to make like a bear and hibernate. But you don't have to fear the winter. With the right winter skin care routine you can embrace the season, even if you're counting down the days until spring. Follow these tips for top winter health...
1. Baby your winter skin. Outdoor winter air is dry, and overheated indoor air can be worse. Take lukewarm, quick baths or showers to help your skin hold onto its natural oils, and moisturize once or twice daily. If you use a light lotion, try switching your moisturizer to a thick cream or ointment to help fight the dryness.
2. Pamper your winter hands. The skin on your hands is thin and sensitive, and if you're washing your hands frequently (as you should be, to fight off winter's cold and flu germs) you're exacerbating the dryness. Keep lotion close by and massage it in a few times a day to stave off dryness. The cold air can quickly take a toll on your hands, so pull on gloves or mittens before you step outside into the chill. Don't sacrifice your hands to your smartphone - if you find yourself pulling off your gloves to type a text, treat yourself to a pair of gloves with fingertips that work on a touch screen.
3. Get enough water. Your body needs water, inside and out. Run a humidifier in your bedroom or office to increase the moisture level in the air. And, make sure you are drinking enough water. It's easy to forget the water when you're not thirsty or sweaty, but your body craves hydration for peak winter health. Reach for herbal tea if you crave something warm.
4. Don't forget vitamin D. Many American adults have vitamin D levels that are less than ideal. Because your body can make vitamin D via sunlight exposure, deficiencies are more pronounced in the winter months. Vitamin D helps keep your bones strong, and low levels are linked with cancer, heart disease, infection and general poor health. To combat the decline, choose foods high in vitamin D such as egg yolks, fatty fish and fortified milk, cereals and breads, and talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement.
5. Get out (or in) and exercise. Don't let winter destroy your momentum. If your exercise routine is outside-oriented, have a backup plan for the days that are too cold, dark or just plain blah. Some gyms have memberships for as little as $10 a month. Or try exercising with DVDs or training with a video-game based routine such as Wii Fit.
Even when the weather is getting you down, these tips can have you looking and feeling your best!
