Love it or hate it, winter is officially here. With the passing of the solstice a few weeks ago, the daylight hours are gradually lengthening, but snowy weather in the North is just getting started. Whether you are enjoying outdoor sports, spending time shoveling snow, or doing your best to hibernate until spring, read on for a few tips for staying warm this season.
Warming foot scrubs
After a chilly day, a hot bath or even a foot soak can be incredibly soothing, with the warm water helping to reduce muscle tension and bring some heat back to the whole body. A simple salt scrub with essential oils can add to this relaxation and warming process. Directions: Mix a couple of tablespoons of plain sea salt with a food grade oil of your choice (olive, sunflower, sweet almond, sesame, etc.) into a paste-like consistency. Add a few drops (1-3) of essential oil and blend thoroughly. For winter months, choose essential oils that have warming qualities such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and cardamom. Remember, essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way, especially if you have sensitive skin. Be sure to research your essential oil suppliers thoroughly to help ensure ethical harvesting practices and product quality and safety. To apply: After dipping your feet in the water, gently apply the paste, with particular emphasis on any areas of tightness or soreness. Resubmerge your feet and soak them for at least 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
Triple Warmer Ear Reflexology Point
There are more than 200 reflexology points on the ears that correspond to the entire body. Some of these points support multiple body systems. Triple warmer is a point that is used both in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in ear reflexology. It supports the circulatory, respiratory, and endocrine systems and helps with body temperature regulation.
Ball rolling technique In a sitting or standing position, place a ball underneath your foot and gently and slowly roll it heel to toe and back. A racquetball or tennis ball is a good choice in terms of size and texture. I prefer racquetballs because they are washable and do not slide out from underneath the foot as easily as a tennis ball, but use what you have on hand around the house. As you roll the ball heel to toe, gradually work your way along the entire bottom of the foot. This will take a few minutes on each side. This technique is basically a quick, DIY reflexology session because it is stimulating all of the reflexology points on the bottoms of the feet, and also promoting circulation. You can also use the same technique on the hands.
Note: Do not use a foot scrub or the ball rolling technique if you have frostbite.
Enjoy the winter weather and stay warm and well!