5 Holistic Self-Care Tips For Winter

Winter's low temperatures, wind, and bitter cold can leave skin feeling dull and especially dry. According to Ayurveda, yoga's sister science and 5,000-year system of natural healing, the winter season is governed by vata dosha.

Because the microcosm of the body is directly affected by what's happening in the macrocosm of nature, as the cold, dry qualities of vata increase in the atmosphere, those same vata qualities accumulate within the body.

Ayurveda encourages prevention of excess vata dosha accumulation by combating the cold, dry, windy winter with opposite qualities in diet and lifestyle, including filling up on warm, moist, grounding foods and replenishing the skin (and other body parts) with warm oil.

Want silky, soft skin and a tranquil mind all winter long? It's totally possible by weaving these simple holistic practices into your weekly self-care plan:

Swap out afternoon caffeine on a cold winter day for this deliciously nourishing spiced milk and feel its rejuvenating effects. In a small saucepan, bring the milk and spices to a low boil for five minutes. Pour into that cute holiday mug in the back of your cupboard, find a comfy seat, and delight in the sweetness!

Ingredients:

Variations:

Precautions: Avoid spiced milk when fighting a fever, cold, flu, sinus infection, or during pregnancy.

Prevent dry, cracking, rough winter skin with a daily warm oil massage. Right after you shower, apply 1 ounce of warm organic oil to your skin. Rub in well like a moisturizer, making circles over joints and long strokes over long bones.

Daily massage not only leaves skin radiant and supple but helps enhance circulation (great for cold hands and feet!), settles the nerves, and calms the mind. It's the perfect body-mind remedy for the cold, stressful winter months, and it supports good sleep and reduces tension.

Choosing oil: Head to your local health food store for organic, cold-pressed oil. Try naturally warming sesame seed oil or a neutral-temperature oil, such as almond or sunflower seed.

Precaution: Avoid oil massage if you have a fever, cold, flu, or are pregnant.

Cold wind outside and dry heat inside often irritate and dry out the sinuses. Breathe comfortably all winter by hydrating the mucus membranes with nasya oil, which is specifically designed for the sensitive nasal passages.

Either apply it on its own or after using a clean neti pot with purified warm water and salt to cleanse the sinuses of excess mucus; put a drop of nasya oil into each nostril and rub gently. Take in a few slow, deep breaths to soak up the nourishing oil and aromatherapy. Nasya is also a great travel companion for cold, dry flights!

Choosing oil: Nasya oil is usually an organic sesame or sunflower oil base, infused with stimulating herbs to energize and refresh the mind, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemon. For more mental relaxation, try a nasya oil with calming herbs like lavender, sandalwood, or rose. Prefer shopping online? LifeSpa.com and Banyanbotanicals.com have excellent selections of high-quality oils.

Precaution: Avoid nasya oil during nosebleeds and sinus infections.

To support extremely dry, cracking heels or exceptionally rough elbows, massage those spots with organic castor oil. Daily application during winter can help heal cracks and smooth out stubborn roughness.

Precaution: Use only on overly rough/cracked spots. Avoid full-body castor oil massage, as it's too heating for a full-body massage, and as a natural purgative, and can trigger unwanted deep cleansing and purgation.

Strengthen and nourish hair all winter long with a simple coconut oil head massage. Dab a bit of organic coconut oil onto fingertips and massage scalp to enhance circulation and nourish the roots. Then, apply a bit more oil and massage a light coating through the hair, giving attention to the tips. Enjoy the silky shine.