In Astana, winter comes fast, whether we like it or not. I wish July would last longer, and the air temperature would always remain above-zero. But, unfortunately, long winter days and nights are the harsh reality of our climate. There are fewer sunny days, as well as vitamins in our body, and the desire to lead an active lifestyle disappears altogether. Professionals, beauty and health experts, tell us how not to go around with a “negative” mood and how to stay healthy in the winter.
Thomas Noll, Regional Director of Rixos Hotels in Kazakhstan.
“Given that I started my career with the hospitality industry as a chef, I had to devote most of my life to studying the properties of products and recipes and how to maintain health through nutrition. When you know what vitamins and minerals you need, where they are found, and how to combine them correctly in food, then life becomes easier and healthier (editor’s note, Smiles). For example, when you are young, to maintain your immune system you only need to include vitamin C in your daily diet, but when you get older, in addition to this, you also need to add vitamins A, E, B, and Ca. At a time when the risk of catching a cold is quite high, for example, now, I advise, first of all, to review your diet. Include more fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C (green and red apples, oranges, kiwi, lemon, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, red onion, garlic) and spices. Moreover, I recommend adding olive oil and olives to your menu. The use of these products will have a very positive effect on your joints. You can add olive oil and olives in salads and soups. And right away the recipe, can I? (editor’s note, Smiles). So that all the vitamins in a carrot salad are absorbed much better, add a couple of drops of olive oil or cream, a little greens and, voila, the storehouse of vitamins is ready! I recommend starting the morning with 15 minutes of physical exercises and drinking plenty of water. Regularly visit saunas, a pool, take a contrast shower. In my opinion, these are some of the simplest and most useful techniques for strengthening and healing the body! Moreover, wherever you are, be sure to humidify the air. This will help you avoid headaches and fatigue. And don’t forget, the older we get, the more we need to eat and exercise regularly”.
Gulden Akhanova, cosmetologist Californication Beauty Yoga & SPA:
“In winter, facial skin is subjected to real stress: low temperature, wind, precipitation – all this irritates and dries the skin. In the cold season, facial skin care is simply necessary, because the condition of your skin throughout the year depends on skin care in the winter. Both men and women need appropriate skin care in the winter. For oily skin, I recommend switching to cosmetics for normal skin; other types of skin need to use moisturizers. Also, I strongly recommend applying face masks more often than usual. Make sure that the air in the office and at home is humidified. Moisturize yourself not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Increase fluid intake to 2 liters per day. I sincerely hope that following these rules will help your skin stay healthy and young!”
And finally, our guest from the sunny island of Bali – Budiani, a leading specialist in massage procedures at Rixos Wellness & Spa, told us how to stay healthy in the winter:
“Winter nights are longer, and this is the most suitable time to restore your sleep, which in an average urban person falls to 6-6.5 hours, instead of the recommended 7-8 hours. It is very important to maintain the immune system with dairy products like cheese, yogurt and cottage cheese–sources of protein and vitamins A and B12. They are also an important source of calcium, which strengthens bones. Eat more fruits and vegetables. To improve physical health, play sports, sign up for the gym, ski, ice skate, snowboard, or just throw snowballs with children, since you have a lot of snow (editor’s note, Laughs). In fact, such activities will help fight depression, develop endorphins (hormones of happiness) and help you forget about pressing problems. After all, happy people get sick much less often. Try to go out with your family more often in the evenings. This is very important, as I noticed that in the winter your houses are very heated, and breathing dry air is quite harmful for the respiratory tract.
Also, in winter I advise everyone to regularly conduct massage sessions. Here’s why:
Increased immunity. Massage enhances lymph flow and increases “killer cells”. These “killers” fight infections and bacteria, boosting your immune system at this time of the year, when many of us get sick.
Dry skin. It has been proven that massage stabilizes collagen in the skin and maintains its elasticity during these dry winter months. The oils and lotions used in the massage contain vitamin E and other vitamins. Massage improves blood circulation, which allows your skin to absorb these essential vitamins, nourishing and moisturizing your skin.
Circulation. Massage improves blood circulation in muscles, joints and organs, warming the body. Cold weather can cause a lot of discomfort, pain, and arthritis. Regular massage increases blood flow, naturally lowering blood pressure and improving body functions.
Winter blues. The winter months limit us from engaging in many of our favorite activities, which results in a depressive state that doubles due to the cold, since few people like the cold. Regularly receiving a massage, we feel better, the brain produces serotonin and endorphins, and relieve stress.
Massage combined with warm elements helps to warm the body and soul. In the Rixos Wellness & Spa in the winter months we include thermal treatments–Stone therapy and Lava Shells–massage with tiger shells. Tiger shells are the first self-heating massage tool in the world. Unique innovations in this area allow you to achieve deep muscle relaxation and reduce joint pain. This massage uses 100% genuine tiger shells with a patented self-heating filling consisting of natural minerals and sea water. You know that Pacific tiger shells are 10 to 12 times hotter than hot stones due to constant heat and they are more hygienic–the tool is not porous and does not absorb oil and bacteria. I hope this information will help you in choosing a massage session. More positive emotions, a good mood and massage–and winter will be your best friend!”
And at the end of our article, let me share with you the advice from Thomas Noll:
“You are an endless source of happiness. No one can give it to you or lend it to you. Stop being dependent on others, smile at little things, eat right, value simple things and you will be the happiest person possible!”
Many thanks to the Rixos Astana team, Californication Beauty Yoga & SPA and Dulat Satybaldiev for the preparation of this material.