The temperature is dropping, and we can feel the arrival of winter with the onset of a more severe climate. Beauty enthusiasts may already be experiencing the impact, as the increasing cold not only affects the body but also takes a toll on the condition of the skin.
Have you ever noticed that the harsh cold can negatively impact not just your overall well-being but also the health of your skin? When blood circulation decreases due to the cold, it can potentially lead to skin troubles.
The key to achieving supple skin without any skin issues is to first focus on keeping it warm. In this article, we will introduce the benefits and recommendations for ‘warming beauty’ to help you combat the effects of the cold weather.
Why is Coldness the Enemy of Beauty？
There is a saying that ‘Coldness is the root of all diseases.’ Allowing the body to stay cold can lead to a decline in organ function and a weakened immune system. Poor blood circulation can also cause various discomforts such as stiff shoulders and headaches. The impact on health extends to the skin as well.
Maintaining warmth is crucial for both health and beauty, as it plays a significant role in preventing adverse effects on both aspects.
Factors Leading to Coldness
How is Coldness Triggered?
We will introduce the factors leading to coldness.
<Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance Caused by Air Conditioning>
When the autonomic nervous system is disrupted, the generated heat has difficulty circulating throughout the body. This is due to the impaired blood flow resulting from the imbalance in the autonomic nervous system.
Entering and exiting environments with significant temperature differences, such as moving between air-conditioned interiors and cold outdoors, can lead to intense constriction of blood vessels, contributing to this issue.
Moreover, disruptions in the autonomic nervous system are often associated with factors like stress and insufficient sleep. Excessive stress or prolonged sleep deprivation can disrupt hormone balance, leading to imbalances in the autonomic nervous system. It’s important to be mindful of these factors and take precautions.
<Overeating and Imbalanced Diet>
Overeating and having an imbalanced diet are considered causes of coldness.
When you overeat, blood concentrates in the stomach and intestines for digestion. As a result, blood supply to muscles and other organs decreases, making it more challenging to generate heat and increasing susceptibility to feeling cold.
Additionally, consuming mainly fast food, sweet desserts, and snack items can lead to nutritional deficiencies. In particular, a lack of iron and vitamins can impair blood circulation, becoming a cause of coldness. It’s important to be mindful of this and ensure a balanced diet.
<Low Muscle Mass>
One of the causes of coldness is the ‘muscle mass.’ When muscle mass is low, the body has difficulty generating heat, making one more susceptible to feeling cold. In other words, it can be said that as muscle mass increases, body temperature rises.
Low muscle mass also results in a decrease in basal metabolism. Since muscles contribute significantly to basal metabolism, having insufficient muscle mass leads to a reduction in basal metabolism and increased susceptibility to feeling cold.
Insufficient physical activity or incorrect dieting that reduces muscle mass can contribute to coldness, so it’s essential to be cautious.
Warming Activities to Start Immediately
Warming activities focus on preventing the causes of coldness mentioned earlier by avoiding chilling the body and keeping it warm. Here, we will explain methods for warming activities that you can start right away.
<Balance the autonomic nervous system using activities such as yoga and aromatherapy>
To regulate the autonomic nervous system, it is crucial to manage stress and ensure an adequate amount of sleep. Therefore, creating a relaxing environment is essential to improve imbalances in the autonomic nervous system.
For instance, consider incorporating activities like yoga. Yoga is known for its stress-relieving benefits and moderate physical activity, which can enhance blood circulation.
Aromatherapy is also recommended. Relaxing through aromatherapy massages or aromatic baths can promote blood flow, contributing to the alleviation of coldness.
<Consume foods and beverages that do not chill the body>
The choice of foods and beverages can contribute to the body feeling chilled, so it’s essential to be mindful of consuming items that do not cool the body excessively. In general, avoiding cold items is key, and opting for those at or above body temperature is advisable.
To warm the body, consider starting the day with warm water or non-caffeinated hot tea upon waking. Additionally, food items containing flour or sugar can potentially lower metabolism, with white sugar believed to have a cooling effect on the body. Therefore, it’s important to exercise caution regarding excessive consumption of sweet or flour-based products.
<Soak in a bathtub instead of relying solely on a shower>
Soaking in a bathtub, rather than just relying on a shower, is also one of the warming activities.
Due to factors such as being busy or finding it cumbersome to fill the bath, some people may choose to take only a shower.
However, the body does not warm up adequately with a shower alone. For effective relaxation of the body and mind, it is recommended to use comfortably warm water (around 38-40°C).
Take your time and soak in the bath for approximately 30 minutes.
If soaking in the bath is not feasible, using a steamed towel to warm the back of the neck can help raise body temperature.
<Incorporate Moderate Exercise>
In warming activities, it is crucial to enhance basal metabolism. Moderate exercise proves effective in boosting basal metabolism. Incorporating light physical activity into daily life helps increase muscle mass. The development of muscles contributes to the improvement of coldness.
Particularly, since about 70% of muscle mass is concentrated in the lower body, exercises like squats are recommended to strengthen the lower body.
Additionally, engaging in activities such as yoga, stretching, or walking for about 20 minutes not only serves as a measure against coldness but also contributes to overall health maintenance.
Summary
To engage in warming activities, it is essential to consciously warm the body on a daily basis as part of one’s routine. By incorporating these practices, even in the chilly seasons, the body becomes more energetic, and the skin takes on a lively complexion. It’s indeed a beneficial habit!
In order to overcome the cold winter, this is an important practice. Therefore, why not make a conscious effort to keep the body warm this winter? It can make a significant difference!
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