Winter Wellness

Seasons come and go, that’s their magical job! With each one, we might feel differently, whether energetically, mentally or physically, and some may notice nothing at all.

For many this is an exciting time of year, where we can get our ‘comfies’ on, get snuggled up under a blanket and watch some cheesy movies as the daylight sneaks away earlier.  However, for some folks as the dark nights draw in, so can other unwanted feelings. If you struggle at this time of year, for whatever reason, please reach out to someone you can trust and get the help you need. Similarly, if you know someone is struggling, can you offer a listening, non-judgemental ear, or give a hug?

The biggest gift we have is our health. If you are feeling under the weather, or just a little off, please consider taking some time to assess what your body needs. More sleep? More fruits & veggies? More water? Less stress? Less drama? It is vital we support our bodies over these colder months by eating nutrient dense foods, hearty soups and stews for example load in the vegetables, lentils and good quality ingredients. By prioritising healthy eating our bodies are better equipped to handle the sweet treats that appear around the holidays-mince pies, hot chocolates. Everyone has their favourites-what’s yours?

In addition to eating well, movement is very important to keep our muscles and joints healthy all year round. Getting outside during daylight for a daily walk would be ideal. Go for a gentle swim, cosy up in the sauna, or take a nourishing yoga class. If you feel short of time, set yourself a small, but achievable goal. Some of our friends in the community have been doing a daily squat challenge to raise money for charity-fantastic effort all. These challenges, whether 100 squats a day, press ups, planks are a great way to incorporate some movement into your day, in bite sized chunks, you don’t have to spend hours in the gym! Grab a friend, go for an evening walk, have a chat (not a gossip!), but a supportive, beneficial, uplifting soul to soul chat. Share solutions, suggestions and useful tips to support each other.

Managing expectations at this time of year can be tough. Maybe this is the year you outline your boundaries, when it comes to family gatherings, gifting, hosting and so on. If something doesn’t bring you joy, it is time for change. I can highly recommend a little but powerful book called ‘Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year’ by Beth Kempton. Beth invites you to honour your wellbeing at this time of year, whilst inspiring connection, belonging and magic, if that is what you wish.

As a Registered Nutritionist I see many people throughout the year that suffer with low energy levels, poor sleep and frazzled minds. If you struggle to regulate your nervous system, can’t seem to catch a break and are worried about heading into a burnout, please get in touch for a free initial chat. I teach weekly yoga classes online, where we move our bodies gently, breathe mindfully and give ourselves space to think. You do not have to be flexible, or have any desire to do headstands! If you fancy giving it a go, you are invited to contact me to book a free taster session. If you haven’t been for a while and would like to get back into it, rest assured we will go easy and it won’t be as tough as you imagine.

My final winter offering is swimming! A random activity to take up in winter, however that said, it is an excellent way to move your body, meet some other people and get fit. Whether you are a complete beginner or can already swim but would like to improve technique or increase stamina, we have a class for you. We also run children’s lessons from age 3+ and currently have some of our Chapelton kids aka mermaids achieving excellent swimming results.

So, in a nutshell if you have any health and wellbeing concerns and would like to work together, please get in touch. If you fancy giving yoga or swimming a whirl, please ask. You would be most welcome.

I wish you all a very happy & healthy winter season, Sally x

You can find me on Instagram @Salthewellnesswarrior or contact me directly on 07894505661