HEALTHY LIVING
Dos and Don’ts for Naturally Beautiful Skin in Winter
As the temperature begins to fall so does the radiance and moisture of our skin. The freezing cold temperatures of winter leave our skin dull, dry, flaky and itchy. That means not only do you have to change your wardrobe when winter comes, you need to change your beauty routine too. To help you combat the wrath of winter, here are the top 10 dos and don’ts of winter skincare.
Dos
- Always moisturize
The dry winter air can be damaging to your skin, causing it to become dry and flaky. It’s important that you moisturize everyday, at least once a day, to combat the dryness. Your choice in moisturizer should also reflect the change in weather. Look for a moisturizer that is thick and cream based, like Pure Fiji’s body butter. This super moisturizing cream is made with a blend of coconut, macadamia, dilo and sikeci oils to rapidly hydrate your parched skin. - Keep those hands covered!
Make sure you are wearing gloves every time you go outside, especially when the air is cold and frosty. The skin on your hands is thinner than most parts of your body and the cold air can quickly dry out your hands. The easiest way to protect your hands is to wear gloves and always use a hand crème, both at night and during the day. Pure Fiji’s nourishing hand creme contains cold pressed coconut oil to keep your hands nourished, hydrated and soft. - Use a humidifier
Instead of cranking up the heat on a cold day, try using a humidifier instead. Central heating systems (as well as small room heaters) blast hot dry air, which can dry out your skin. Humidifiers help to add moisture to the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. If you can, use more than one humidifier throughout your house to disperse the moisture more evenly. - Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Because your skin tends to be drier and flakier in winter, it’s important that you exfoliate to get rid of dead, dull skin. Exfoliating will also help your thirsty skin absorb more hydration from your moisturizer. Try to exfoliate at least a few times a week. A great choice in body exfoliator would be Pure Fiji’s coconut creme body scrub. This scrub contains natural cleansers derived from sugar cane and coconut, as well as pineapple enzymes that gently exfoliate and brighten your skin. - Try a DIY Mask
Often times the best ingredients for your skin can be found in your home – in your fridge or pantry. Pure Fii’s Nourishing Exotic Oil contains cold pressed virgin coconut oil, macadamia, dilo and sikeci oil which is amazing for your dry, winter skin as it’s chock full of beneficial vitamins and nutrients to nourish, moisturize and protect.Super Hydrating Coconut Moisture Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Nourishing Exotic Oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ of a mashed avocado or egg (well whisked)
Directions:
Blend all ingredients together well and apply to skin. Leave on for 15 minutes then wash off thoroughly with water.
Don’ts
- Soak in a hot bath or shower
Having a piping hot bath after being out in the cold might seem like a great idea but in reality it’s wreaking havoc on your skin. The hot water breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. Instead, try having a lukewarm bath or shower lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Finish with a body butter to rehydrate your skin. - Use products full of sulphates
Sulphates are chemicals found in many cleansers on the market that are used to cut oil from the skin. While this might be fine for your skin in the warmer summer months, it can trigger redness, irritation and dry skin in harsh, winter conditions. Always choose natural beauty products that don’t contain sulphates so you can be sure they won’t irritate your skin. Pure Fiji’s coconut milk shower gel is naturally sulphate free and contains ingredients like pineapple enzymes to gently exfoliate and brighten your skin. - Wear PJ’s made with cotton and synthetic fibers
Choosing the right PJ’s can make a difference when trying to combat dry, itchy winter skin. Avoid wearing pyjamas with a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, as they can be irritating to your skin. Instead choose soft fabrics like cotton or cotton flannel to soothe your skin while you sleep. - Mask your dry skin with makeup
Applying foundation directly to your dry skin will only make it more flaky and dull. Before applying foundation, make sure you exfoliate your skin to slough away any dead skin cells. Use an exfoliator that is gentle on your skin like Pure Fiji’s exfoliating scrub. Also important to remember, when your skin is dry and flaky, avoid rubbing on your foundation as it can get caught under the dry skin. This will undoubtedly draw more attention to it. Instead, pat it on gently or use a beauty blender sponge. - Consume too many caffeinated beverages
Even though drinking a warm cup of coffee might seem like a necessity on a cold, winter morning, it may in fact be wrecking your skin in the process. Consuming too many caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda) can be dehydrating to your skin. Caffeine acts like a diuretic and prevents the skin from retaining moisture, thus drying it out. If caffeine is a must, try cutting back on the amount you drink or choose decaffeinated beverages instead. And as always, make sure you are drinking plenty of water to counteract the effects of caffeinated beverages.
Winter may wreak havoc on your skin, but you don’t have to let it happen. Simply follow these 10 dos and don’ts and you’ll be sure to keep dry winter skin at bay.
(Feature Impact) Young people face a growing number of pressures, including academic expectations, social responsibilities, complex family situations and uncertainty about their own futures. Mental health support is important for all – but in many rural areas, those pressures are even greater.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for rural youth ages 15-19 is 74% higher than their urban counterparts. Barriers like limited insurance coverage, unreliable internet for telehealth, scarce providers, long drive times and lack of public transportation make it harder to get mental healthcare when it’s needed. Plus, asking for help can feel like opening oneself up to judgment and stigmatization.
That’s why Rural Minds, the only nonprofit focused on mental health for rural communities, created the Rural Youth Mental Wellness pilot program supported by Boehringer Ingelheim. It was developed by an advisory committee made up of rural youth to provide their peers with practical, free, accessible mental health resources. Incorporating feedback on the pilot, the updated program sponsored by the Sompo Foundation is now launching its national rollout.
“A young person’s ZIP code should never determine whether they can access meaningful mental health support where and when they need it,” said Jessica L. Schleider, Ph.D., director, Lab for Scalable Mental Health, Northwestern University. “Our lab is thrilled to partner with Rural Minds as they champion evidence-based, anonymous, freely available support tools designed to overcome barriers to help-seeking faced by rural youth across the country.”
If the rural mental health crisis affects you or a loved one, consider these ways to help.
Break the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
In communities where self-reliance is valued, asking for help can sometimes be viewed as a sign of weakness. Young people who feel unheard and unsupported often struggle with being vulnerable, so they continue carrying their increasingly heavy burdens alone.
Parents, educators, healthcare providers, community leaders and peers can work to change that culture by normalizing mental health conversations. This includes helping teenagers feel seen and accepted by educating them on mental health issues and coping strategies, listening to their experiences without judgment, sharing your own stories and reminding them it’s courageous to seek support.
Consider Single-Session Interventions
The first step is always the hardest when it comes to seeking mental health support, and not every struggling young person is ready or able to see a therapist. With access to free, confidential, self-guided materials to begin building mental wellness skills, the first step may be less scary.
Single-Session Interventions (SSIs) are brief, structured online courses designed to teach youth practical skills for handling stress, low mood, self-image and more. The Rural Youth Mental Wellness Program offers SSIs in partnership with Project YES (Youth Empowerment and Support), a free digital resource developed with Northwestern University’s Lab for Scalable Mental Health at the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Anonymous access to SSIs through the partnership provides strategies for:
- Improving mood
- Rethinking body image
- Reframing negative thoughts
- Knowing your power to change
- Taking steps toward goals
- Protecting LGBTQ+ pride
- Handling self-harm urges
- Staying safe amid dark thoughts
Each SSI typically takes 5-10 minutes. Although SSIs are not a replacement for therapy, they provide a research-backed source of support for young people experiencing bouts of stress or low-to-moderate distress.
Know When to Seek Professional Help
Self-guided resources and supportive conversations are a valuable starting point, but sometimes young people need qualified professional help. Look for symptoms like worsening mood or behavior, substance use, self-harm or difficulty managing everyday tasks, and take teens seriously when they express dark feelings.
Doctors and counselors can provide personalized support for youth in crisis, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential 24/7 support for mental health by dialing 9-8-8.
“I grew up in a small town where mental health was almost taboo,” said committee member Asheton Medlin. “Being part of the committee that built this program let me help make sure rural youth today have the support I didn’t. I’m excited to help bring these resources to them because this generation deserves the chance to grow up and change the world.”
Find more information at RuralMinds.org.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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(Feature Impact) When it comes to protecting your heart, supporting your kidney function and improving your metabolic health, you’ll find the advice for each one looks similar. That’s because your body’s systems are deeply interconnected: what affects one will have ripple effects across the others.
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, or CKM health, is a perfect example. When any one of these systems is compromised, it can lead to problems with the others. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease to develop or worsen simultaneously – a condition collectively known as CKM syndrome.
The reverse is also true, so habits that are healthy for your heart will have a positive effect on your kidneys and metabolic system and vice versa. Consider these simple strategies that align with the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, a list of healthy steps that can improve overall health. Learn more about how these habits and health measures affect your CKM health at Heart.org.
- Choose Healthy Foods – Food is your body’s fuel, so fill your tank wisely. Certain types of foods can help your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and triglycerides stay within healthy ranges, while poor nutrition can push those numbers into more dangerous territory. Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, plant-based proteins (e.g. beans, legumes and nuts) and lean animal proteins (e.g. seafood, skinless poultry and low-fat dairy). Drink plenty of water throughout the day and limit added sugar and salty or fatty foods.
- Stay Physically Active – Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore – in fact, some of your favorite hobbies may already count. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity like dancing, gardening or walking, moving quickly enough to elevate your heart rate and break a light sweat. Alternatively, choose 75 weekly minutes of vigorous exercise that gets you breathing hard and fast; think running, swimming, playing tennis or riding your bike on hilly terrain.
- Avoid Nicotine – Tobacco and other nicotine products can raise your blood pressure, damage blood vessels and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, which are all bad news for your CKM health. If you’re currently trying to quit, you aren’t alone, so don’t be afraid to seek out support groups and resources to help.
- Prioritize Healthy Sleep – Sleep gives your body a chance to rest and recover from the day, but it’s often one of the first things people sacrifice when life gets busy. Poor sleep can increase your risk for heart disease, weight gain and other issues. Aim for a solid 7-9 hours a night. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and comfortable, and do your best to limit distractions like late-night smartphone scrolling.
- Watch Your Blood Pressure – When your blood pressure is high, it forces your heart to work harder to pump blood through the body, which can weaken it over time. It can also damage the delicate arteries in and around the kidneys, putting CKM health further at risk. Information is power, so check your blood pressure frequently to know whether further action is needed to keep it under control.
- Manage Your Blood Sugar – High blood sugar can damage the kidneys, eyes, blood vessels and more, thereby increasing your chance of developing harmful CKM conditions. Controlling blood sugar is particularly important for people with diabetes. If you don’t have diabetes and still experience frequent blood sugar spikes and crashes, talk to your doctor.
- Control Your Cholesterol – Cholesterol comes in both “bad” (LDL) and “good” (HDL) forms, requiring a balancing act to keep your levels within a healthy range. If LDL is high and HDL is low, your risk of clogged blood vessels, heart attack and stroke are higher. Healthy levels keep blood flowing to your heart and kidneys, supporting your metabolic health in the process. See your doctor for regular bloodwork so you can monitor cholesterol changes.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight – Since excess body weight puts pressure on the heart, kidneys and other organs, a healthy body weight helps lower your risk of CKM syndrome. Whether you’re hoping to maintain or reduce your weight, regular exercise, healthy eating and quality sleep are all great ways to achieve your goals.
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(Feature Impact) Outsmarting a baby can be harder than it sounds – especially when it comes to transforming your home into a safe place for them to explore. Through their eyes, a coffee table becomes a climbing opportunity, a dangling phone charger looks like a teething toy and a cabinet of cleaning supplies could be an exciting travel destination.
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips to make your home safer all year round.
Install Gates and Doorknob Covers
Crawling babies and stairs are a bad combination. Make sure the two never have the chance to meet by securely installing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to thwart young explorers. Gates or doorknob covers can also block access to other rooms and areas you’d prefer to keep off limits, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Use Safety Latches Wisely
Cabinets and drawers can contain a myriad of dangerous items, from cleaning products to sharp objects and medications. Even if you have rooms gated off, treat safety latches and locked storage receptacles as a second line of defense to make sure babies and toddlers can’t rummage where they shouldn’t.
Stress-Test Furniture
As babies and toddlers transition from crawling to walking, they often try using furniture to pull themselves up. Tall or unstable objects like TV stands, small tables and bookshelves can tip over if they aren’t properly secured. Try giving these objects a shake to see whether they’re easily moveable or wobbly; if so, anchor them to the floor or wall when possible. While you’re at it, check for sharp corners at the right height to bonk little heads and cover them with softer edge protectors.
Cover Outlets and Stow Cords
Electrical outlets can be tempting targets for curious fingers. Outfit them with covers or plastic safety caps, especially if you don’t already have tamper-resistant receptacles with built-in mechanisms to block foreign objects from entering the slots. As you’re going about your outlet audit, pay attention to cords as well. When possible, tuck them away or secure them with cord organizing systems, and block access to objects like lamps where cords can be used for tugging and toppling.
See the World at Their Level
Although it might feel silly, one of the best ways to spot hazards around your home is to scout for them from a baby’s perspective. Try getting as close to the floor as you can then look around each room for anything that could interest a young child and pose potential danger. In particular, keep an eye out for small objects that could become choking hazards, like dropped coins, batteries or loose toy pieces.
As children grow, so do the needs of your space. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more ideas on designing your home to fit your family.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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