Winter is so much more enjoyable if you use the shorter, colder days to boost your mental and physical well being and keep a positive outlook. with self care practises, nourishing foods and medicinal teas to help combat colds and seasonal flus! Winter can also be the season to recharge and revitalise your soul even when its dark outside and cold.

Start the day with lighting a candle and sipping on some hot water with fresh squeezed lemon and a teaspoonful of local honey. Use a dry body brush and sweep towards your heart before showering.

Winter walks are usually more challenging but the rewards are great! According to recent studies , published in The American Journal of human biology, we burn 34% more calories when we hike out in the cold. the physical exertion and layers of clothes make us warm. We can walk more briskly than in the heat and the cold air is invigorating for us. Try to breath mindfully! meaning, pay attention to your breath , this will help relax you.

 Look after your immune health with warming winter teas such as rosehip & hibiscus, chamomile, cinnoman & honey, clove &apple. There are loads on the market. Personally I love gingerbread from Shubui, a homegrown Scottish tea company. Valerian tea helps us to sleep. Try also golden milk.(Recipes online.)

Get a good nights sleep by having a warm bath with rosewood, lavender, sandalwood or eucalyptus. Spray a magnesium oil supplement into the souls of your feet and massage them ,then put socks on to allow it to soak in . Use a castor oil pack on your abdomen at least once or twice a week to relax sympathetic and para sympathetic nerve endings .Turn off the tv screens , tablets or phones an hour before bedtime. Try to sleep with a window slightly opened. If its too cold try an air purifier. Air your quilt and pillows outside on a dry day to get rid of bacteria and bugs.

Enjoy filling your slow cookers with nourishing soups and stews. Its all there ready and full of flavour for you arriving home. Use root vegetables, hearty stocks and dried herbs for nutrition and flavour, such as ginger carrot and red pepper soup, beef, sweet potato and turnip stew with garlic and bay leaves. Chilli's, a cinnamon stick and pumpkins added to stews are also warming tasty!

Use different types of lighting to lift your soul and home. So lamps at different heights and plenty of candles for warmth.

A winter Detox will also boost your immunity so dont just wait till January start now!