Vitality is Built in the Winter

Available exclusively at The Other House South Kensington, OM is a potent and immersive sensory experience that uses acoustic sound vibrations and scent stimulation. Created and developed by Sound Artist, Leo Cosendai, and co-conceptualised by Naturopath and Clinical Aromatherapist, Sara Cosendai, here they give us their top tips for boosting immunity and staying healthy during the winter months.

Book an OM session here and experience an hour’s meditation through healing vibrations on your body.

VITALITY IS BUILT IN THE WINTER

Just like good sleep is engineered in the morning, Sara and I believe that the seeds of human vitality are sown when the trees are bare and your breath is visible. Over the course of the next four months, we’ll be adopting a 360 perspective to thrive during this cold season, whilst simultaneously investing in our spring and summer 2024. This will involve a focus on circadian resonance, latitude centred foods, mitochondrial health, supplementation, and meditation.

Sleep:

– 10-25% more of it

– Earlier bedtime

– Avoid heavy meals before bed

– Wear a silk eye mask

– Turn your phone and Wifi off at night

– Listen to a meditation app to prepare yourself for sleep. Our favourite is our sound meditation app, ‘Third Ear’

Light:

– Infrared light from a fire or like the ones available from Joovv

– Natural morning light to start the right cascade of chemical reactions in your body*, before looking at a screen

– Avoid screens before bed

– Try to spend even 60 seconds sun gazing (when it peaks through!) so your body can update its inner clock two or three times per day

Food:

– Eat seasonal and locally grown foods – you can find your closest London farmers market here

– Resist comfort eating carbs (they don’t grow in winter) and replace with more fats and proteins (available all year round)

– Drink bone broth – when homemade isn’t possible, Daylesford and Borough Bone Broth co offer great organic options

Supplements:

While this is dependent on the individual and the terroir of ones own body, here are a few suggestions that we have found to be effective:

– A good probiotic is the foundation to supporting our overall immune system, alternatively a good kefir (vegan options are also available) is a good start to the day

– Medicinal mushroom blends go hand in hand with the probiotics with their incredible properties. Hifas da Terra formulations have contributed to keeping our immune systems strong for the past seven years. They grow the mushrooms in Galicia, Spain. Tip: You can use the code 9SC2 for a 15% discount.

– Seawater nose sprays (medication and additive free for daily use). My spray of choice is by Quinton for it’s mineral content. Tip: I travel with it in my hand luggage to use pre and post flights too. Use the code SARA10 for 10% off.

Mitochondria Support:

– Sauna

– Swimming in cold ponds/lidos/the sea

– Stretching

– Rest including reading by the fire and short naps in the afternoon

– Sound meditation, such as Leo Cosendai’s sound meditation installation – OM – currently showing in the wellbeing studio at The Other House, South Kensington

Any recommendations must be checked with your health provider for any contraindications.

*there’s no UV in the morning especially in the winter