Creating calm and care this Christmas 🎄

It's that time of year! As the days shorten and the festive season approaches, winter is starting to take its toll on all aspects of our lives, from our hair to our metabolism. And before we know it, we'll also be entering party season and the fun chaos (hopefully!) that this includes!

So with this being Stress Awareness Week, today we're talking about what it means to take care of ourselves and those around us- not in loud, performative ways, but quietly, intentionally.

In this blog post, we’re reflecting on small rituals that help can help us through winter, sooth the soul, and feed our creative energy. We explore small practical tips to restore and re-energise in the run up to Christmas, and share a short breath-work session you can use this weekend help unwind and refocus your mind.

1. First, carve time out to focus on rest

Winter triggers multiple changes in our bodies and metabolisms, mainly due to lower temperatures and reduced daylight. This affects everything - shifts in temperature and light affects our circadian rhythm, making quality sleep even more essential. And the energy it takes our body to stay warm alters our immune and circulatory systems.

These hormonal shifts affect our sleep, mood and metabolism, all the more reason to make extra care to look after ourselves.

The Sleep Foundation notes that consistent bedtime rituals can help regulate mood and reduce stress by supporting natural melatonin production - something we all need more during winters. 

A small thing we can do is swap the rush of late-night scrolling for something gentler. Put your phone far from your bed, or create a physical firewall between you and your phone by wearing a silk sleep mask (plus, it helps reduce puffiness and improves your sleep quality!).

2. Second, stay hydrated to help maintain skin and hair quality

Cold air and central heating can strip moisture from both hair and skin, leaving us feeling more fragile - inside and out.

According to Harvard Medical School, regular scalp massage boosts circulation and encourages relaxation, helping reduce tension-related hair shedding during colder months. Of course, a weekly hair oiling or deep conditioning ritual, followed by wrapping your hair in silk, not only locks in hydration but also creates stillness and intention.

3. Spark your creativity 

It's often hard to find the spark and time to be creative, especially when we have stress at home or at work. But creative pursuits not only nourish our minds and souls, but tangibly reduce our body's stress level and improve our mental health.

 This month, take time to engage in creative pursuits, whether that's walking around galleries, gardening, painting, writing, or music. This will have two big impacts on our lives: increasing our energy levels and improving our problem solving, and helping us regulate emotionally to better navigate stressful social situations (...which will inevitably come up in spades over the Christmas period!!)

4. And just breathe

Stress Awareness Week reminds us that managing stress isn’t just about relaxation - it’s about reflection. It’s about returning to what matters most. And there are many small things we can all do to reduce our stress and lower cortisol levels, from mindful journaling, gently stretching and even wearing tactile breathable fabrics, like silk!

And to help you along the way, we're sharing this breathing session hosted by the wonderful coach, Aicha McKenzie. We suggest playing this one evening before bed, or early one quiet weekend morning, before the chaos of the world starts raining down on you! 💚

As a small start up team, we know that self-care isn't about perfection, but it's about knowing the small things we can do to improve our lives, applying them one step at a time, and being compassionate with ourselves when we don't get things right. Share your tips and thoughts in the comments, below. 💚

References: 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/thinning-hair-in-women-why-it-happens-and-what-helps-2020032719267

https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/the-art-of-destressing-how-creativity-creates-less-stress/ 

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/can-daily-rituals-reduce-stress-psychologist-weighs-ina-psychologist-weighs-in?