How to take care of your body in winter?

We open the cosmetic heating season! The lower the air temperature, the warmer the skin can be. And all thanks to the formulas of body creams, bath lotions and special treatments that work more efficiently than a heating pad. Among our winter survival ideas you will find your favorite.

Elena Kalinovska

You know what it means to get out of bed in the morning and put your feet on the cold tiles. Brrr! It will be cold and will stay that way until at least April. However, there is something that can help: cosmetics and warming treatments. Their action is associated with the effect on the body of touch, pressure or even stroking, as well as ingredients such as cocoa, ginger and chili pepper. During massage, blood vessels dilate, which speeds up and facilitates blood circulation and increases the flow of arterial blood (the one that supplies oxygen) to the skin. And not only that, because the work of the heart is facilitated, and the whole body, in addition to a portion of heat, receives an injection of oxygen and energy. And according to statistics, as much as 80 percent of our daily ailments are caused by chronic stress. There are few better ways to relax the body and calm the mind than a warming massage.

In the office or at home

Massage accessories have been invented to make massage more enjoyable and to make it a pleasure like visiting a sauna. Sinks are in the first place among the most interesting. Collected from the Pacific coast, clam shells go through several stages of polishing and sandblasting before reaching the hands of a massage therapist. Because of this, they are smooth, and the empty space inside is great for adding something warm to the shell. This something is a kind of mixture (gel and activator), which releases heat during the massage and gives the temperature of the shell comparable to a hot cup of tea. The therapist holds them in his hands and slowly, rhythmically and gently massages the body. The effect of warming up the body is immediate, and the additional benefits are many: relieving joint pain, reducing muscle tension and, of course, relaxation.

The second type of accessories that bring the best warming effect during a massage in winter are stamps. These are small bags of linen or silk filled with warming herbs: pepper, cardamom, lemongrass, mint or lemon balm. You can use them at home or make an appointment with a professional. First, the therapist inserts strokes into a heating pad to allow the herbs to release fragrance and essential oils. Then he applies them to the body as if making stamps on the body and presses first gently and carefully so as not to burn the skin. Then the massage becomes intense and lasts only half an hour, after which you need to rest for at least a quarter of an hour, as after a sauna. The idea is to stay warm when the body is warm and relaxed.

Hot spring in the bath

It's cold, and the nearest resort is far away? Try to repeat what every self-respecting Japanese woman does every day: massage and warm up the body at home. It is worth introducing the ritual into your daily body care and using it until the arrival of spring.

First, combing. This stage of daily massage should be done before you enter the shower or bath, i.e. before washing. Using a large, soft brush, massage your entire body in circular motions from ankles to neck. Do this gently, but hard enough that the skin turns pink. What does it do? First of all: natural peeling. You will get rid of excess dead skin, so you no longer have to use cosmetics with salt, sugar or other exfoliating particles. Second: you stimulate blood circulation in the small capillaries that feed the skin. This is important if you are struggling with cellulite and stretch marks. Regular brushing will smooth them out better than cream. In addition, you will feel a pleasant warmth, which will be enhanced by your bath (or shower).

After “combing”, the flip flops lie in a bath (at least a quarter of an hour, a maximum of half an hour), filled to the neck with water at a temperature of 38 to 42 degrees Celsius and additionally covered with a wet compress on the top of the head so that the heat does not “run away” from the body.

Finally, when the skin is warm, massage the moisturizing oil into it.

This is all for a long time, but if you decide to comb your hair at least daily before washing, you can be sure that you will better withstand the frosts, and in the spring you will find a smoother body.