5 Ways to Stay Warm and Well this Winter

Now that it’s December and snowflakes are starting to fall, it’s time to start settling into a cozier routine. We definitely know cozy here in Western North Carolina where the cold winds blow and the sun sets earlier behind the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you are looking for some cold weather remedies, an invigorating activity or handmade goodies to help you keep warm - we’ve got you covered. 

1. Tea for Winter

Now is the time to slow down during the winter months and make more time for restoration, rejuvenation, a relaxation. Whether you’re basking in the warmth of a fire with a good book or a journal, recovering from a cold-weather bug or seasonal affective disorder - we have a list of magical teas that will bring you healing and happiness this winter.

Happiness uplift:

• Tulsi tea - Tulsi (also called holy basil or the “elixir of life”) is known for many medicinal properties including mood-uplifting, soothing and relaxing, antimicrobial, supportive of the respiratory and immune systems as well as a powerful adaptogen.

• Lemon balm tea - For those wintertime blues, lemon balm offers a bright and sweet cup of sunshine to give you a brighter light in the darker days. Lemon balm helps to relieve anxiety and stress, boosts cognitive function, eases sleep, indigestion and nausea.

Congestion, cold and flu:

• Ginger tea - Especially for congestion, try a ginger-based tea with lemon, raw honey and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne. Ginger tea also reduces inflammation, stress and nausea. Ginger tea benefits the respiratory, circulatory and immune systems as well as easing menstrual discomfort.

• Licorice tea - Licorice root soothes a scratchy throat, bronchial congestion and inflammation. Licorice can also support the digestive system for gastro-intestinal issues and stomach ulcers. Don’t forget it’s immune-boosting and anti-depressant properties.

Relaxation and sleep:

• Chamomile tea - Chamomile is the holy grail for “taking a load off,” softening the edges of your day and easing into a blissful, restorative sleep. Chamomile can also relieve cold symptoms and inflammation. It is known for lowering blood sugar (diabetes), slowing osteoporosis and a wide collection of other health benefits.

• Valerian root tea - The most popular use of valerian root is for help falling asleep by supporting the regulation of nerve cells and calming anxiety. Valerian root also works with pain relief, muscle relaxation, and easing menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

2. Activities for Winter

If you’re looking for a fun way to get out of the house and keep you warm and well this winter, check out this list of options both available local to Asheville and all around the world. Exercise is a great way to keep your spirits high in the wintertime and also boost your mood and inspiration. When you move your body, the mind responds in conjunction. Healthy body, healthy mind.

Yoga hikes:

Namaste in Nature offers select hikes throughout the winter (by request) and as always, provides an option to host a class at your place. On the warmer days of winter here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to heal in nature while grounding with a yoga practice.

• Send us a note to book your private yoga hike or schedule Namaste in Nature to come to your AirBnB, venue or other location.

In addition to your restless for precious time spent in the sun, take a look at some of the health benefits of going outside in winter and perhaps treat yourself to a wintery adventure.

Try our fire element at-home yoga flow to get in touch with your inner flame
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE YOGA VIDEOS!

Hot (or warm) yoga classes:

Using heat in asana classes helps the muscles to loosen as we go deeper into stretch and movement. For me, I find my deepest strength and stretch in heated classes. Heated yoga does not necessarily mean a vigorous yoga class. Heated yin classes are the most delicious. As we warm up and move, we can reach deep-seated tension in the muscles and the warm hug of the heat holds us while we release.

If you’re not a fan of heated yoga, you can still warm up the body and find release in a non-heated class and be amazed at the healing and grounding you find this winter.

Here are a few of our favorite yoga studios and yoga classes in the Asheville area offering both heated and non-heated options:

• Asheville Yoga Center

  • Warm Flow & Yin

  • Hot Kundalini Flow

  • Gentle Yin & Nidra

  • Hot Slow Flow

  • Warm Power Flow

• Asheville Community Yoga

  • Warm Vinyasa Flow

  • Hot Flow

  • Vinyasa Flow & Yin

  • Restorative Yoga w/Live Music

  • Yin Yoga

• Hot Yoga Asheville

  • Warm Yin & Restore

  • Warm Slow Burn

  • Hot Slow Flow

  • Hot Power Flow

  • Warm Wellness Flow

• Primal Studios

  • Buti Yoga

  • Fascia Flow Yoga

  • Blissasana Candlelight Flow

  • Reggae Flow Yoga

  • YogaStrong

• Pure Yoga

  • Warm Vinyasa Flow

  • Warm Kundalini Yoga

  • Hot Power Yoga

  • Yin Yoga

  • Gentle Flow

Indoor rock climbing:

Are you ready to change it up? Rock climbing is a great integration to your yoga practice. The strength and balance you build while climbing will supplement the stamina you like to have for more advanced yoga classes. On the flip side, the flexibility and release of tight muscles that you find in a yoga practice will contribute greatly to your time on the wall as you progress and get stronger, more technical and sometimes achey muscles while rock climbing.

• Climbmax at SMAC

  • The SMAC location offers top rope climbing walls and bouldering inside as well as an outdoor bouldering rock available upon request with spotters. Instruction classes, private coaching and outside mountain guiding are also offered through the Smoky Mountain Adventure Center.

• Climbmax Downtown

  • Focused on bouldering, the Downtown location offers extensive bouldering terrain available inside the gym. Outside you will find a 40’ climbing wall for experienced belayers only.

3. Eating for Winter

In the winter when the days are colder, we have a tendency to gravitate to heartier and carbohydrate heavy meals. Though carbs are delicious and provide energy we need to function at a healthy capacity, try some of these lighter (gluten-free and plant-based) recipes that will satisfy your savory winter craving and give you the energy to keep moving this winter.

Seasonal eating? What’s that? Basically, you eat with the seasonal harvest by choosing vegetables that are readily available but there’s more to it. In the colder seasons, our bodies change in metabolism and energy levels, and our immune systems take the test.

The recipes below focus on rooted vegetables, foods rich in nutrients to supplement the immune system and are lighter, but still savory, meals that aim to keep us energized in the slower winter months.

Plant-based, Vegan-friendly & Nutritious Meals

If you enjoy healthy, exotic and mindful meals, check out the recipes below from our friend Sarah Farsh’s plant-based, vegan-friendly and nutritious food blog.

• Quick Coconut Curry Soup with Sweet Potato Noodles

• Vegan Pho with Zoodles

• Vegan Gluten Free - Spaghetti Squash with Creamy Cauliflower Kalefredo

• Vegan Grain Medley Meatloaf

• Zaghetti with Cashew Kale Pesto, Garnet Yams and Eggplant

• Vegan Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodel Lasagna

• Indian Coconut Curry with Kamboocha & Collards

• Lemon Turmeric Miracle Soup

• Red Kuri with Green Lentils and Cauliflower Rice

• Green Goddess Bowl

• Vegan Basil Cream Pasta Bowls

• Gluten-Free, Vegan Black Bean and Spinach Quesadilla
  

If you’re going out to eat in Asheville this winter, check out our list of the most delicious and mindful eats/drinks in the Asheville area!

Budget-Friendly, Quick & Wholesome Recipes

If budget-friendly and quick fixes are more your style, check out these savory bites from our favorite quick, easy and affordable recipe website: Budget Bytes.

• Warm Brussels Sprouts & Pear Salad

• Roasted Root Vegetables

• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili

• Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

• 15-Minute Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen

• Vegan West African Peanut Stew

• Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps

• Spinach Mushroom & Feta Crustless Quiche

• Kimchi Fried Rice

• Garden Vegetable Lasagna Soup

• Vegetarian Shephard’s Pie

• Sweet & Spicy Tempeh Bowls

4. Stay Warm with Handmade Hats, Scarves, Mittens & More

Tanya’s Fiber Art collection, called She’s Crafty AVL, offers handmade accessories to keep you warm this winter and are made locally here in Asheville. Whether you’re in need of a cozy, crochet accessory or holiday shopping for your loved ones, try supporting her wholesome business instead of corporate organizations this winter. Tanya also makes a variety of beautiful, year-round accessories like bracelets, earrings, necklaces, handbags, poster art, t-shirts and more!

• Hats

• Headbands

• Scarves

• Finger-less gloves

• Baby blankets

• & More!

5. Find Your Inner Warmth

What lights your fire? What activities fill your cup full? It’s important to not only keep others warm but to fill our own hearts with the warm fuzzies too. With the holiday season just around the corner, this is a perfect time to take a deep breath and reflect on what gives you warmth and restoration. If you’re unsure where to begin, check out some of our favorite feel-good activities below!

• Spend time with loved ones

• Participate in random acts of kindness

• Grab your journal and let your thoughts flow

  • For inspiration (or a fun challenge), check out our December Self-Reflection Journaling Prompts. We also invite you to a collection of 30 Gratitude Journaling Prompts from our November challenge!

• Volunteer at an animal shelter, homeless shelter or your favorite charity

What are your favorite wintertime activities? Let us know in the comments below!