18 self-love Fall/Winter celebrations you need to do now

ChampagneYogi

Finding time for a little extra self-love is imperative especially when our days get shorter, darkness creeps in and the weather goes from sunny blue skies to grey and rainy. You might notice your mood starts to change as fall starts to creep in, or in winter when it’s cold, wet, gloomy and dark for a good portion of the day. I’m sharing 18 of my self-love celebrations you need to do now to boost your mind, body and spirit. 

Seasonal affective disorder; otherwise known as SAD is a real concern for so many people in certain parts of the world. Some believe SAD is more likely to occur when our daily body rhythms become out-of-sync because of reduced sunlight. Growing up in the UK I’d often here seasonal depression referred as “having a case of the winter doldrums”. SAD is more common for those of us who live in northern latitudes, and incidences are higher in women than men.

Knowing you are not alone can be so empowering if you feel a case of the moody blues setting in, and having the confidence to give yourself just a little extra SELF LOVE and SELF CARE might just be what your body needs.

Create a Mantra

If you haven’t already, create a mantra – a word or series of words you repeat, sort of an affirmation. By allowing the words to enter your subconscious they help to shift any fear based beliefs and negative habits. Mantras are frequently used for meditation, but I also like to use them when I need to boost my spirits a bit, and especially when I do have a case of the winter doldrums! When my mind is racing and I start to feel anxiety creeping into my subconscious, I repeat “I release you” over and over. I like to acknowledge my thoughts, but at the same time, those thoughts do not have control over me. You need to find something which resonates with you, something which allows you to breathe deeply and center yourself.

Take the time to listen to your body, what does it need right now? Then create a mantra to guide, uplift or as a simple reminder – life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Be sure to download my Free Self-Love Guide, see if it motivates you to choose a little more self-love and self-care in your day. No-one is perfect and I love to remind myself and my clients “it’s okay to be perfectly imperfect”.

 

 

During the winter months here are some of my favourite SELF LOVE tips:

  1. Join a exercise studio – this is such an empowering way to hold yourself accountable to be active each day and a wonderful way to meet like minded individuals just like yourself who are striving to live a healthy lifestyle.
  2. Bundle up and listen to a favourite motivational podcast while going for a walk outside.
  3. Bundle up, turn on some inspirational tunes and get moving outdoors! Be sure to follow ChampagneYogi on Spotify
  4. I’ll say it again, get outside, even for 5 minutes. Breathe in fresh air. Try taking 6 mindful breathes.
  5. Pour yourself a cuppa – and curl up with a good book.
  6. Turn on some rockin’ tunes and throw yourself a dance party; even better do it in your undies and let loose no-one will ever know!
  7. Diffuse your favourite essential oils, light a beeswax candle and pick an oracle card.
  8. Take an epsom salt bath with your favourite essential oils, not sure what to use… these are a few of my personal favs.
    • For calming, and to increase your inner Goddess energy: Frankincense, Rose, Geranium and Lavender. Pop on some sulty tunes, close your eyes and feel the stress melt away.
    • Uplifting and tension release: Lemon, Peppermint, Wild Orange, Ginger and Grapefruit.
    • Muscle, or tension relief: Peppermint, Frankincense, Melaleuca and Lavender
  9. Sip a warm Bevi thru the day, it’s like giving yourself a hug.
  10. Prepare a favourite soup and voila you have a nourishing lunch for a couple days. Try my Vegan Tom Kha Soup.
  11. Call an old friend or loved one and plan a face to face meetup or face-time date.
  12. Practice daily GRATITUDE, you’ve heard me share the benefits I’ve found with a simple 5 minute daily gratitude journal, (thank you to my sister for introducing me)
  13. Give yourself permission to watch an episode of your favorite show, guilt free!
  14. Eat a rainbow of colours. Give your body the phytonutrients it needs to ward of cold viruses and other nasties.
  15. Invest in a good Vitamin D supplement, when daylight is minimal our bodies are seriously missing this much needed vitamin (always speak to a physician before taking any supplements)
  16. Use light therapy. Salt lamps, beeswax candles or even a light therapy box can lift your spirits.
  17. Sleep – make sure you are getting optimal rest at night. Turn off your phone, or better yet keep it out of your bedroom, say no to TV in bed and wind down with a book or better yet practice an evening meditation ritual.
  18. Speak your mantra every day, you are beautiful and you are worthy!

I’d love you to share your favourite self-love rituals on Facebook Pintrest or  Instagram (tag me @amandavs and #amandavs, #healthyissexy). I’d can’t wait to see how you celebrate simple pleasures.

Share our little secret with your friends and family. Healthy is sexy!  Be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, motivation mantras and so much more direct to your inbox.

xo Amanda