Perfect Winter Pick-Me-Ups

It’s that time of year when Mother Nature ‘flicks the switch’ and suddenly the days are much darker and colder than we’d like. This can make us feel glum, be less active and let’s face it, eat a little more of what we know we shouldn’t, which in turn makes us feel sluggish. All of this can, unfortunately, impact our health.

However, there are plenty of things you can do to look and feel better, starting with finding the perfect moisturiser. Clere’s new Vanilla Honey Cream luscious body lotion and crème provides 48-hour NutriRich moisture for dry to very dry skin. “The new Vanilla Honey Cream variant is a uniquely aromatic combination of two comforting fragrances and is the first in our range that has been specially formulated for dry to very dry skin,” explains Clere brand manager Kateko Ramoshaba.

It’s easy to get sucked into the doldrums of the long winter days. So, here are a few ideas to get you up and out of that slump now:

Digital detox

We’re surrounded by screens 24/7; whether it’s work emails or social media, it might be a good time to give your eyes some rest. Research shows that people exposed to blue light at night can have increased incidences of sleep disorders, obesity, diabetes and several cancers.

If not for the health benefits, a digital detox can reduce stress, a detox of at least 24 hours is a great time to test your technology addiction. Why not re-read one of your favourite books or run a bath with essential oils? When it comes to essential oils or aromatherapy candles choose a scent with calming and relaxing properties such as vanilla. “In our fragrance research we found that certain scents can do amazing things for our mind and body. From stress relief to headache relief, different aromas have a way of making us feel better, like vanilla,” says Ramoshaba.

The scent of vanilla can have a significant effect on our happiness levels. Studies have shown that vanillin, the active compound in vanilla is a very powerful anti-depressant.  The smell of vanilla is known to directly impact the brain, thus inducing calmness.

Calm cravings

The colder months and lack of light can reduce our body’s natural production of serotonin – the mood related chemical that gives us a feeling of wellbeing and naturally regulates hunger. This can trigger the urge to eat a little more than normal and it can often be the wrong sorts of food.

If you suffer from 3pm sweet cravings, opt for a quality, high-cacao dark chocolate, and a mug of honey tea. Honey’s often thought of as a healthier sweetener, says Ramoshaba, but you might be surprised to learn that this ingredient has tons of skin and hair benefits, too. It’s extremely moisturising and soothing, so it helps create a glow. Honey moisturises the skin from within. As a natural humectant, it draws moisture into the skin from air.

Glowing skin

We all know that awful dry and flaky feeling on our skin during the cold winter months. The simple reason that develops is because your skin loses some of its ability to hold moisture when it is cold. Moisturising is a key component in combatting dry, winter skin. Apply a good cream throughout the day, but also try using body lotion before you’ve even left the shower. Apply Clere Vanilla Honey Cream lotion straight after washing, pat dry to lock in extra moisture. “Vanilla Honey Cream’s nourishing combination of tissue oil, glycerine, vitamins E & A and natural moisturising factors makes it the ultimate winter moisturiser,” adds Ramoshaba.

Treat your hands and feet

While you’re lathering the rest of your body in moisturiser to combat the winter nasties, don’t forget your hands and feet. Cake them in Clere Vanilla Honey Cream crème at night and then sleep with gloves and socks on – they will be rejuvenated in the morning. (2 May 2018)