Three Surprising Cold Weather Essentials for Healthy Skin

Cold weather can make you want to curl up and hibernate for a few months. Between being stuck indoors, flu season, and fewer daylight hours, keeping your mood cheerful can be a challenge during the chilly months. But as it gets cold outside, these tips will keep your spirits up until summer comes along again!

Relax in the Bath. Bathtime isn't a luxury for me -- it's a necessity. When it's frigid outside, sometimes the first thing I do when I get home is go straight to the bathroom and get the hot water going. A few minutes soaking in a warm bubble bath does wonders for the mind and the body. Be sure to apply a nourishing moisturizer like Simple Skincare Replenishing Rich Moisturizer afterwards to beat dry winter skin!

Ten Minutes of Mindfulness. One of my favorite tricks to boosting my mood is to incorporate five or ten minutes of daily meditation. It's crucial in the winter months, when the winter blues can raise levels of stress and anxiety. For just a few minutes a day, find a quiet place to sit and focus on your breathing. You'll be surprised what a difference it makes!

Whip Up a Delicious Dish. There are so many delicious vegetables in season during the colder months, it's the perfect time to try your favorite root veggie dish. I've been eyeing Elie Krieger's Curried Pumpkin and Tomato Soup recipe -- it looks like the perfect cold-weather dish. And winter vegetables are packed with skin-loving nutrients -- pumpkin is a great source of anti-oxidants like alpha-catotene, an anti-aging nutrient for great skin health.

Avoid Alcohol. Between holiday parties, sometimes it's tempting to reach for a glass of wine or beer at the end of a cold winter day. But alcohol dehydrates you, interferes with sleep, and take a toll on your immune system. Instead of reaching for an alcoholic beverage, consider relaxing with a cup of hot tea or mulled cider. Your skin will be healthier and more radiant if you do!

What's your favorite trick for beating the cold weather blues?