We focus so much on the health of our bodies, and sometimes we forget that a clean, healthy environment does a lot for our mental and physical health. In the colder months we spend a lot more time indoors, and it’s good to think about how you want to feel when you are in your home, and how to make it a lovely and cozy sanctuary for those winter days.
Here are some tips for creating a healthier ambience in your home to prepare for winter:
- Make a dedicated space for you to practice yoga and/or meditation, even if it is just on the floor next to your bed. Keep your yoga mat rolled up in the corner to remind you to practice, even a little each morning or evening. You might also create a small altar with crystals and a fresh candle. Even just passing by, noticing this altar brings you peace.
- Switch some of your lighting to full-spectrum sunlight bulbs (I love my Ott light over my piano). Use these lights especially where you spend time reading, or on your desk.
- Stock up on smudge sticks or incense which has been found to eliminate up to 94% of bacteria in the air. Use it daily during the winter, when rooms are more enclosed. A steam diffusor is also useful, with a few drops of anti-bacterial essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, rosemary or a spicy blend of cinnamon, clove and orange (doTerra On Guard is my personal favorite).
- On warmer winter days, open your windows for at least 20 minutes to bring in fresh air.
- Buy a few new houseplants. They provide oxygen and bring nature indoors on dreary days.
- Plant some culinary herbs such as parsley, rosemary and basil, and keep them in a sunny window to add to your favorite recipes.
- Wash your throw blankets and perhaps replace some of your decorative pillows to brighten up your living room and bedroom.
- Check supplies of warm socks and slippers. Keeping your feet warm in winter is key to staying healthy.
For your body, stock up on some immune boosting herbs, vitamin C and zinc and treat yourself at the first sign of a cold. For more specific advice, see my blog “Staying Healthy through the Winter” https://www.amatierra.com/staying-healthy-through-the-winter/
Enjoy the autumn season!
–Jill
Jill Ruttenberg, RH, Co-Owner & Wellness Director of AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in Costa Rica, is a professional nutritionist, certified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and clinical herbalist registered with the American Herbalist Guild. She is also an experienced massage therapist, energy healer and Hatha yoga instructor. The Wellness Center at AmaTierra is Jill’s living dream, the fruition of decades of training, practice and experience in natural medicine and the healing arts.