Winter Wellness: On a student budget
Graphic by Claire Revier
It's cold and flu season and the late nights, early mornings, and lack of sunlight are in full swing and downright exhausting. The $8 super green juice, 10-ingredient hydrating face mask, and $50 monthly gym membership sound pretty enticing this time of year, but they are way out of arms reach when on a budget. Staying healthy can seem to be an expensively daunting task, but ensuring you feel your best doesn't have to break the bank.
Here are some fun and thrifty ways to boost your immune system and mental well-being while hunkering down this winter season.
Swap out expensive immunity boost juices for my go-to immune boost tea
Get ready for an earthy, refreshing and cozy drink that will leave you feeling refreshed and energized! Green tea is rich in antioxidants, boosts brain function and promotes heart health. The mint leaves can clear congestion and aid in headache recovery, the lemon is high in vitamin C and helps flush out toxins in the body– with all three ingredients combined leaving you feeling refreshed and energized!
What you will need:
4 cups of boiling water
1 lemon
3-4 green tea bags
7-10 mint leaves
Start by boiling your water, and while that heats up, cut up a freshly washed lemon into four chunks. Squeeze your lemon slices, then throw them right on into some sort of pitcher with a lid, (I prefer glass). Then, add your green tea bags to the pitcher along with your freshly washed mint leaves. Next, pour the boiling water into the pitcher with your tea, lemon, and mint leaves, letting it seep for 5 to 10 minutes! Put your leftover tea into the fridge and enjoy it over ice throughout the week!
Heal your soul while nourishing your mind
After winter break, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things, especially when it's dark when you wake up; and even darker when you are just getting home. Self-care habits tend to fall short of the infinite to-do list, but taking care of yourself should always be a top priority. Also, let's face it, face masks, nail care, and bubble baths do not solve everything. Here are a few tips for a peaceful morning and a decompressing evening:
Instead of scrolling on your phone when you wake up and rushing out the door with a granola bar, make yourself a nice breakfast and pair it with your morning cup of coffee.
Pour boiling water into a glass bowl and add eucalyptus oil after your nightly skincare. Carefully set a towel over your head and the bowl for a spa-like steam that can help clear your sinuses and unwind you after a long day.
Clean out your closet and do a clothing swap with friends or family to declutter your space and leave you feeling productive.
Learn how or continue to meditate. Find a comfortable space and try to meditate at the same time and place to create a healthy habit. Don't focus on whether or not you are “doing it right”, meditation is what you make of it, that's the beauty of it.
Yoga and pilates: bringing the outside inside
With all of the toxic and unrealistic workout trends blasted over social media, working out can be intimidating, and when it's 10 degrees, a “winter walk” is not very appealing. Instead of viewing exercise as a looming chore or an expensive investment, do pilates or yoga in your living room with serene mood lighting and nature sounds to create your oasis.
This creates a serene environment for your mind and body in the comfort of your own home. Go on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube and find your favorite rainstorm, birds chirping, or wave-crashing audio, unplug, relax and move your body.
Most importantly, remember that your mind is a temple and your body is your home. Be gentle and compassionate to yourself, avoid waiting for the warmth of summer, but honor and receive the beauty of the now. The stillness of winter is not a void, but a space for quiet reflection, internal healing, and everlasting growth.