Maintaining Good Health In Winter

Bangalore is known for its constantly changing weather conditions!  

With these changes, is your skin starting to look dull? Is your hair not looking healthy and strong? Maintaining healthy skin and hair is a never-ending battle, especially when the weather cools down. Cold air is often rough on the skin and hair. Here are a few points that can rehabilitate skin and hair in winter.


Skin Care:

·         Drink water. Even in cold weather, your body and skin need fluid replenishing. Herbal teas with fresh lemon and orange slices or with a touch of honey and fresh ginger are refreshing.

·         Selenium is a trace mineral that may help protect skin cells from free radical damage. Excellent sources of selenium include cereals (ex. corn, wheat, and rice), nuts (ex. walnuts), soybean, button mushrooms, shrimp, lamb, and fish such as salmon.

·         Eat fresh whole foods, including as many vegetables as possible, and preferably some fruit.

·         Foods rich in vitamin C (ex. citrus fruits, guava) and vitamin E (ex. almonds) will give a tremendous boost to your skin in winter.

·         Fatty acids in the form of omega-3 (flax seeds, for example) and fish oils (especially from salmon and tuna) help keep the skin and hair nourished and lubricated.

·         Taking warm water baths and applying moisturizing lotion on your skin everyday will help to keep the skin soft and will not aggravate dryness and itching of the skin.

·         Always apply a natural lip balm to protect your lips. This will protect them from cracking and chapping. Do not peel skin from your chapped lips.

·         Summer is not the only time that you have to protect yourself from Ultraviolet rays (UV). Use sunscreens regularly in winter too with an SPF of 15 that protects against UV rays. You could use the sunscreen with more hydrating base in winter.

Hair Care:

·         Give an oil massage to your scalp at least once in a week. Oil acts as an effective conditioner for the hair to some extent.

·         Cut down on refined, processed and canned foods. Stick to fresh food items as much as possible.

·         Eating recommended amount of proteins in the diet is important to maintain hair health.

·         In cold weather, both the hair and scalp dry out more easily. Wear a scarf, hat or cap to protect your hair from the cold and wind. Make sure the scarf, hat or cap is not so tight that it will restrict circulation in your scalp.

·         Overusing your hairdryer will contribute to dry damaged hair. Blow-dry your hair as rarely as possible.

·         Finally, do not let winter be a barrier to your daily exercise. This keeps you fit and stimulates blood circulation in your whole body, including your scalp and hair roots.

Maintaining good health is essential as our body is highly vulnerable to the stresses and strains of everyday life. As skin and hair are highly sensitive to the changing environment, special care is required. Simple changes in life can make even lower temperatures a happy time in Bangalore!