Prepare for winter

I've always particularly enjoyed the cold season, and the older I get, the more my love for winter faces storms of negative comments from those around me. They don't like snow, they're cold, they don't know how to spend their weekends, their skin becomes dry, they catch colds… Everything to make them miss the mild summer sun . I think it's normal and very healthy to have seasons that suit us better and to have others that we could do without without worry. For the occasion, I thought I would share with you my five main tips for welcoming winter with more serenity.

#1 Take care of your body

Of course, taking care of yourself is the basis, no matter the time of year. But since the first cold days often bring with them an unpleasant cold virus ready to lodge in any human body, it is all the more important to protect your immune system. Washing your hands regularly becomes essential when winter hits, as does eating healthy, sleeping well and exercising. It is also important to moisturize your skin well to prevent the change in temperature from doing too much harm to it.

# 2 Allow yourself moments of relaxation

Life moves fast, and it's often worse when the seasons change, since it feels like you have to manage everything at once. Even if it may seem like a whim, you really have to allow yourself moments of relaxation without feeling bad. It's not cowardly to crash on the couch for an hour or two even if the dishes aren't done... it's not cowardly, it's necessary ! You have to take care of your head, and moments of relaxation often allow you to restart your brain. For a moment of maximum relaxation, I personally like to create a home spa atmosphere and I particularly appreciate the Tonic Mtl body care line, which offers body and bath products with comforting scents and enveloping benefits.

# 3 Equip yourself properly

Whether in terms of clothing, means of transport or accessories, I think that to make peace with winter, it is important to be well equipped. Obviously, a good coat , warm boots, mittens , hats and neck warmers are a must. Concerning transport, the more you plan, the better you accept the first snowfalls. For those who use their car, it may be smart to have their winter tires fitted before the first shift to avoid being taken by surprise and having to go to the race to the garage. It also seems relevant to me to already plan everything concerning parking and snow removal. Also, equipping yourself with good accessories, for example solid shovels, also appears in the list of things to provide.

#4 Clean up…inside and out

Obviously, tidying up your outdoor yard, cleaning your house, sorting through your paperwork and getting out your warmer clothes is necessary at the start of the season, but I think the main cleaning to do is cleaning up your own life. For many, winter represents a source of stress, complications and unnecessary energy expenditure. I feel like in order to appreciate the cold season, you first have to have room for it in your heart (I know, it sounds cheesy, but it's the same). I think it can be relevant to sit down for a few minutes, alone with yourself, to think about what we like less in our daily lives and try to put aside certain worries. With peace of mind, I am convinced that a snowstorm has less impact on our mood than when everything seems like a mountain.

# 5 Get involved in a winter activity

In general, those who enjoy winter the most are those who practice a sporting, cultural or family activity on a regular basis. Whether it's skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, skating, hockey, museum visits, family cooking, sleepovers at the cottage, or TV series marathons, I think that by getting involved in an activity, winter seems to pass more quickly, since we look forward to weekends and free time to be able to do something we enjoy.

Revised by Ariane Lessard in December 2020