PRETTY WOMAN

Dial up the joy with a mood-boosting self-care session done in the privacy of your own home. It’s a blissful way to banish the winter blues.

- EVA-MARIA BOBBERT & ANNA LEE

If you’re finding a drop in the mercury and the shorter days are getting you down, you are not alone. Research shows that seasonal variations impact everything from our serotonin levels and mood, to feelings of sociability and generosity.

According to Dr Marina Christov, a Chinese medicine practitioner, the cooler months correspond to the yin aspect of nature, encouraging rest and rejuvenation.

“It’s natural for our bodies to align with this seasonal rhythm, and experience a decrease in energy levels as we slow down to catch our breath and refill our cup,” says Marina. “Pushing ourselves too much during the season of rest and repair will often lead to feelings of exhaustion and fatigue, and can result in poorer immune function.

So make choices that are going to make your life flow rather than fighting against the current.”

While self-care can be tough to fit in around the demands of a hectic life, don’t overthink it. Just hit pause for a Pretty Womanstyle bath session (Prince tunes optional!). Go over the top on the suds and salts, then pop something glow-boosting on your skin or hair. Those 20 minutes of soaking can be enough to claw back some glow in both body and mind.

“The simple decision to take time and prioritise self-care can spark feelings of joy,” says Marina. “Cultivating inner peace and finding joy in the simple rituals of life encourages a greater sense of presence, and we could all benefit from that.”