What do the words “self-care” mean to you? A long scented soak in the bath? A winter run with a podcast as the sun sets? Box-fresh bed linen? It could even be all of the above, in one evening.
Whatever your poison, there’s no denying a little self-care is needed at this time of year. We try to avoid jumping on bandwagons here at the Filter (particularly “Blue Monday”), but there’s little doubt that the short days, cold weather, empty bank accounts and current world events can drag you down.
If a crisp winter run is the ultimate act of spirit-lifting for you, take a look at our guide to the best winter running essentials, compiled by our fitness expert Lisa Buckingham. She’s got you covered with everything from beanies and chest lights to bone-conduction headphones that help you stay aware of your surroundings. Or if you prefer to exercise in the great indoors, you need to read our test of the best treadmills before you even consider buying one.
If your idea of new year self-care is more about hunkering down at home and treating yourself to new sheets, then read our guide to the best bedding sets. Our panel of interior designers told us what they buy for their own homes – and prescribe for their clients (one brand was recommended four times). And if the bedding world is full of terms that leave you baffled – thread count, sateen v percale weave, Oxford v housewife pillowcases – read our guide to buying bedding.
We’ve also compiled a list of 19 pick-me-ups – from an essential oil diffuser to a foot peel and a DIY manicure set – that should get you through January feeling a little brighter and a little more together.
Finally, sometimes only chocolate biscuits will do. Our series collab with Feast, which sees food writers taste-testing supermarket staples, continued this week with Grace Dent trying and rating the best chocolate biscuits. Well, someone had to do it.
This week’s picks
Editor’s pick
The surfing community was left shocked after the documentary The Big Sea shed light on the connection between neoprene production and the US’s “Cancer Alley”. Many brands now make wetsuits with natural alternatives to neoprene, but are they up to the job?
Frequent surfer and self-proclaimed cold-water wuss Sam Haddad put seven of the new wave of neoprene-free winter wetsuits to the test in the south coast’s cold waters – and was impressed with what she found.
Monica Horridge
Deputy editor, the Filter
In case you missed it …
Many of our readers resolved to spend less money this year – a resolution in sharp focus for many during the agonising wait between our pre- and post-Christmas pay cheques. In one of the Filter’s first pieces, Guardian staff shared the everyday items that had saved them money, from Thermos food flasks and heated throws to energy-saving window film that costs less than £10.
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