If you often feel emotionally and physically affected by the changing seasons, you're not alone. When Winter hits and the humidity starts to drop, the days become a little cooler and drier and so the changes in our skin and mood begins.

We tend to stay indoors a lot more, the heat gets turned on and up, the showers and baths become a little hotter trying to escape the cold not to mention our usual 1 to 2 litres of drinking water per day becomes a little more challenging – these elements leaving us with a situation of the moisture being sucked from our skin and we’re left looking flaky and dry.

So, to fight the good fight, here are a few DIY natural remedies for keeping your skin hydrated and glowing and your mood uplifted in the cooler months:

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• Hydration is key: As hard as it may be, keep up the water intake and if you find it a struggle, try warm water with a dash of fresh lemon or opt for some herbal teas to keep hydrated.

• Dry Skin Brushing: Our skin is the largest organ of the body and is an organ of elimination just like the kidneys and the colon and more than a pound of waste products are eliminated through the skin every day. If the pores of the skin become clogged by millions of dead skin cells, then impurities remain within the body putting more pressure on the eliminative organs such as the kidneys and liver. Dry Skin Brushing is great way of cleansing the lymphatic system, removing dead skin cells, strengthening the immune system, improving nervous system function, toning muscles, preventing premature ageing just to name a few. 

• Mindful Practices: Energetically the Winter months are for turning inwards and preserving and conserving the energy for bloom in the spring and fruition of the Summer. So mindfulness is key here. When the mind is balanced and energetic, mindfulness supports the development of insight. And even when the mind lacks energy, paying attention soothes the anxiety about the fatigue. A handy tip is to sage your home or burn palo santo to recalibrate the energy field, and integrate crystals into your mediative practice to remain centred, grounded and vibrationally attuned.
  
  
• Moisturise the skin: It can be as easy and simple as using organic coconut oil or organic sweet almond oil. Coconut oil is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties but it is also an amazing moisturiser and smells delicious. Simply place into the hands rub together to warm then spread an even light layer all over the body. Organic Sweet Almond oil is a highly potent antioxidant and promotes heart and skin health. To personalise it, add a few drops of your favourite pure essential oils and apply to the body.

• Lavender and geranium facial steam: Turn on the kettle and prepare yourself a real treat. Not only does lavender and Geranium pure essential oils act as a balancing agent on the skin this aromatic blend will help with stress reduction, anxiety and fatigue. Win, win. In a bowl place 3 cups of boiled water then place 3 drops of Lavender pure essential oil and 3 drops of Geranium pure essential oil. Drape a towel over your head, shoulders and the steaming bowl creating your own little tent. Closing your eyes and keeping your face about 10 inches from the steaming bowl begin to deeply inhale and exhale and allow yourself to relax. Stay here for about 10 minutes. When finished gently splash your face with some cool water then pat the skin. Note: this is delicious to do before bed.

• Honey Mask: This is one of my personal favourites and leaves your skin super hydrated and GLOWING!!! All you need is 2 to 3 teaspoons of raw honey and remember we are dealing with sticky yummy honey so if you wish put a shower cap on or pull your hair up into a top knot for all the longhaired beauties, please do so. Using your fingertips gently start applying the honey evenly to the face, neck and décolleté. When the honey starts to warm on the skin it’ll start to bead. This one is best to do while laying down and relaxing so put on a beautiful candle and some relaxing tunes and let yourself soak up 15mins of nourishment. Inner and outer glow! In the last few minutes begin to tap your face with your fingertips giving yourself a little stimulating massage. To rinse off, use a warm washcloth and gently wipe away the honey.
  
  
• Use Essential Oils: Essential oils have been shown to help with a ton of issues, including the winter blues. I AM... Grounded and I AM... Supportedare two beautiful, earthy essential oils mists that are like putting a warm blanket of love and security around you at times when you feel vulnerable. Spray over the crown of the head and liberally on and around your body, repeat the affirmation on the bottle, take a deep breath, and let go.

These are all lovely ways of taking a little extra TLC for yourself during the down time, allowing yourself to feel loved, nurtured and nourished in the comfort of your own home. I hope you enjoy!