By Kim Amboy :
It seems lately I’ve been talking to the person staring back at me in the mirror. “Who is that old lady?” I ask, or sometimes I greet her with, “Hello Mother.” That poor girl is in serious need of an overhaul! And it makes total sense, because Old Man Winter does a number on everybody. Cold winds outside and dry heat inside coupled with lack of exercise are all tough on waistlines, skin and hair. However, on a positive note, a little seasonal care can help. Here’s some self-care tips that’ll truly make a difference.
Visit a Local Med Spa
Get your “glow” back by visiting a local Med Spa. This blend of traditional day spa and medical clinic is overseen by licensed medical professionals, and they provide services tailored to both beauty and health. Actually, winter is the ideal time to address summer skin damage such as sunspots, uneven tone, and dehydration by scheduling a chemical peel or other resurfacing treatments to reset your skin for the season. Reviewers rave about the results.
This blend of traditional day spa and medical clinic is overseen by licensed medical professionals. Deedee Karanian, owner of Posh Med Spa & Wellness Center in Powhatan and her highly credentialed and experienced team are devoted to helping clients look and feel their best. They offer a multitude of innovative treatments that include customized facials, Microneedling to correct aging and acne scarring on the face, back and chest. Also available are nutritional IV hydration infusions, vitamin injections, and customized diet and exercise plans that aid with weight management and overall well-being. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Visit their website (https://www.getyourposhon.com/) for a full list of services offered.
Stay Active
With shorter days, it’s often easier to put fitness on the back burner. Yet this is one of the most important times to stay active. Sadly, wintertime gloom leaves many people feeling down, but exercise helps boost natural mood filters which fights off the “winter blues” and boosts immunity. A great fitness routine is just the ticket to ward off cold weather blues, so being comfortable on your feet is especially important. “To avoid sudden foot and ankle injuries, choose the right footwear and make sure to warm up and stretch beforehand,” recommends Podiatrist Aaron Bradley, owner of Sole Foot & Ankle in Mechanicsville. (https://www.solefootandankleva.com/) “If you’re venturing out of doors, be especially mindful of slippery surfaces.” He shared a few more tips: applying a thick, cream-based moisturizer (preferably with urea, shea butter, lactic acid, or hyaluronic acid) daily can help lock in moisture and prevent those annoying heal cracks that plague so many during winter. Also, warm, breathable socks protect your feet from weather extremes to ensure a good workout and happy feet!
Eat Well
Fact: This is the season of comfort food and cozy gatherings. Unfortunately, all that feasting tends to put a kibosh on healthy eating habits, so beware! Bad nutrition leaves us more vulnerable to colds and flu. That’s why eating well in winter isn’t just about satisfying cravings—it’s about providing your body the nutrition it needs to stay healthy. So have fun but be mindful of what’s on your plate. Think healthy ingredients and smaller portions. Saladworks on Hull Street in Midlothian offers fresh food and ingredients that allows customers to build an original meal customized to their tastes and dietary needs with over sixty ingredients to choose from. (https://restaurants.saladworks.com/va/chesterfield/14446-hull-street-rd/)
I’ll still talk to myself in the morning even after all that self-care. But maybe the conversation will sound like this: “Hey, Gorgeous, you’re looking pretty good these days!” Or “Hello, have you seen Mom?” Don’t laugh! A girl can dream, can’t she?