Winter Skin

Life. It takes you on adventures and prevents you from getting shit done. Like, blogs. I haven't posted in ages but I am going to take it back and combine a few of my last posts. 

How are you feeling these days? Because I am feeling dry, chapped, and so thirsty, that is, until I upped the water intake and added some other goodies into the mix. 

1. Increase water intake:

The recommended about of water that we should be drinking a day is HALF our weight in ounces.


During warmer months this is my go-to formula but recently that has change. I recommend increasing this by 2-4 more cups. Take it slow and drink throughout the day. You DO NOT want to drink a gallon of water in one sitting. That's not beneficial to you in any way and causes more harm than good. I find it easier and more satisfying to drink water at room temperature. Drinking cold water makes my body feel like it is getting attacked. We are literally getting the moisture sucked out of us during the cold months. Why? Refer to #2.

2. Use a humidifier: 

Whether you are using a central heating system, a space heater, or a blow dryer, you are drying yourself out. Love yourself and invest in a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air will improve your winter skin issues and maybe you have a cat that likes playing with said humidifier. Bonus.

3. Exfoliate: 

Scrub your dead, dry skin off with some easy home recipes. Exfoliating should be done no more than once every 10 days. If I have little time but want to feel smooth and silky I pour some lotion or oil (coconut, almond, olive) in a bowl and add sugar or salt until it feels right. The difference in size matters. Sugar is less abrasive and is best for people with sensitive skin since the sugar particles are so small compared to salt. I recommend scrubbing in the shower with the water off. When finished exfoliating, rinse with warm water.

4. Moisturize:

As soon as you get out of the shower apply a moisturizer. I have sensitive skin and hate scents. I try to keep it simple. Reapply throughout the day. Spend extra time loving your hands. Washing your hands a lot will contribute to dryness (don't stop washing your hands) so moisturize as often as you can. 

Water: Our Best Friend

All my massages begin the same way. My client and I take deep breaths, we relax, and I slowly travel down their body as I apply my touch of intent. When I return to their back, I pull away the blanket and sheet to expose their back. Oil gets applied to my hands and with my first long stroke I can tell this person is probably not drinking enough water.

How can I tell if you're drinking enough water?

Your skin is a direct reflection of what's going on inside of your body. When your body is thirsty I can see and feel it in your skin. It's not necessarily the only reason your skin is dry and absorbing all my oil. There are medical reasons and medications that cause dryness and extreme thirst throughout your body.

How can YOU tell if you're drinking enough water?

You can determine if you're drinking enough water by observing the color of your urine. Clear and pale urine indicates there is enough water in your diet. 

 

Our bodies are made up of anywhere between 50-75% of water.

That's a pretty significant amount. We should be feeding out bodies what it's primarily made of, right? But why?

Importance of water:

• maintain the health and integrity of every cell in the body
• keep the bloodstream liquid enough to flow through blood vessels
• help eliminate the byproducts of the body’s metabolism, excess electrolytes (for example, sodium and potassium), and urea, which is a waste product formed through the processing of dietary protein
• regulate body temperature through sweating
• moisten mucous membranes such as those of the lungs and mouth
• lubricate and cushion joints
• reduce the risk of cystitis by keeping the bladder clear of bacteria
• aid digestion and prevent constipation
• moisturize the skin to maintain its texture and appearance
• carry nutrients and oxygen to cells
• serve as a shock absorber inside the eyes, spinal cord and in the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus in pregnancy.

(http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Water_a_vital_nutrient)

How much water should you be drinking?

Take your weight, divide it by 2 and that's the amount of ounces of water you should be drinking per day.

120lbs / 2= 60lbs= 60 ounces of water per day

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
-Margaret Atwood