Photo: Jakub Żerdzicki
When winter comes around, it brings an endless loop of cold temperatures, shorter days, and gloomy weather. The season can impact your mood, and it can feel impossible to create joyous moments that lift your spirits. You can constantly fight against wanting to curl up and hibernate, and getting out and about and functioning.
However, the dark mornings and chilly evenings can invite you to slow down more and look after yourself. This is because winter weather can bring many germs that transform into illness, so there’s a priority to look after your physical health. Alongside this, the never-ending bad weather in many parts of the world, paired with the short daylight hours, can encourage you to focus more on your mental health to make you feel better about this challenging season.
Winter does bring many moments of beauty and happiness, like watching glistening snow settle, enjoying a warm drink while wrapped in a blanket, and immersing yourself in the silence of a long, dark evening. But sometimes, this is not enough to power you through the season. With low mood comes low energy levels and almost zero motivation, which makes winter the perfect season to create a self-care routine that sparks joy, allows you to slow down, and calms you.
Why Winter Makes Self-Care That Much Better
It’s no lie that winter changes everything. Whether you enjoy a sunny, early morning run or like to explore nature on a warm day, activities and daily living can feel very unappealing when it’s pitch dark and absolutely freezing outside. This is why your usual routines need to be updated when seasons change.
A less commonly known fact about winter is that the shorter days affect you way more than you know. This is because human bodies produce more melatonin (the sleep hormone) when it’s exposed to more darkness, which will explain why you want to go to sleep so early! On top of this, not getting as much exposure to sunlight can lower serotonin levels, which impacts your mood and energy levels. This is typically known as the winter slump, where you feel both lethargic and restless. So, when you make it a priority to look after yourself, it can make a huge difference to how you’re feeling and improve this slump, because we all need a little more self-care in this harsh season.
- #1. Embracing the Season Instead of Resisting It
The first thing you need to do before getting into a winter self-care routine is to embrace the season. Now, this may seem difficult because it’s more tempting than ever to just wish the season away. The cold mornings, early sunsets, and gray skies don’t ever feel inspiring, and you just want to lock yourself inside and wait for it to be over. However, learning to embrace the season can help to take that negative mental toll away, shifting your outlook on winter completely. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, like long outdoor afternoons or spontaneous sunny strolls, start thinking about what you can create during this difficult period.
Winter is actually the season of nourishment, stillness, and reflection. It is a time to go at a slower pace, so make the most of this where you can. Give yourself permission to rest more, read for longer, and prioritize your emotional well-being. You can uncover new hobbies and try your hand at different activities, such as exploring journaling, meditation, or simply catching up on sleep without feeling guilty. Treat the season not as an opportunity to reset, but instead as something that stops you from doing what you want.
Photo: Taryn Elliott
- #2. Create a Cozy Environment
The next step for a wholesome winter self-care routine is to make your environment cozy, warm, and inviting. Think about how you’ve always wanted your home to look and feel, and create that dream space. Winter is the perfect time for this as you can have more time indoors to change up your space, rather than thinking about it and then leaving it to another day. This is an important change to make because your surroundings play a big role in how you feel. If you come home from a long, cold day at work to a disorganized chaos or a cold, harsh environment, it can make you feel even worse than you already do. While coming home to a warm, tidy, and homely environment with low lighting that casts a glow, a flickering candle that smells delicious, and thick, cuddly blankets can make you feel so much happier and give you that fuzzy feeling.
When it comes to a cozy space, lighting is one of the most crucial tools here. Aim for soft, warm lights or fairy lights to instantly transform a room’s energy. Add in textures like chunky blankets, plush robes, and fluffy socks. Even the smallest corner of your home can become a sanctuary with a little intention.
Scent can also make you feel warm and cozy during colder months. Candles, diffusers, or a favorite essential oil blend can put a smile on your face, no matter what you’re doing.
- #3. Nourishing the Body with Intention
With the mixture of bad weather, dim days, and low mood, it’s very easy for winter cravings to set in. These cravings often can lead you to choosing comfort food that isn’t exactly the healthiest of options. There is nothing wrong with indulging in a sweet treat or an unhealthy meal to relieve the negative emotions that come with the season, but your body needs nourishment in winter more than ever.
This isn’t just about focusing on what you eat, but it also involves how you treat your body. Gentle movement, like stretching, yoga, or a mindful walk bundled up in layers, can do wonders for circulation and mental clarity.
Hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer, even though you might not feel as thirsty. Pair warm herbal teas or infusions with your skincare routine to stay hydrated inside and out. Speaking of skincare, your body may need a little more love in the colder months. Adjust your regimen to include richer moisturizers, lip balms, and anything that offers protection from the dry air and cold winds.
Photo: Ylanite Koppens
- #4. Restoring Through Routines
Winter is an ideal time to reconnect with routines that you enjoy but don’t have time for usually. You may have old routines that you haven’t done in years, or routines you do every now and then to pick yourself up after a bad day. Whichever you love, it’s a great time to incorporate them into your daily life to boost your mood and make winter seem less harsh and boring. These routines are often made up of small, meaningful actions that bring structure and peace to your day.
This might mean starting the morning with ten minutes of journaling or ending your evening with a calming skincare routine. These moments help you transition through the day with more grace and mindfulness, allowing you to reflect and take a breather from the negative emotions. They also provide you with some time to reframe your mind and feel refreshed.
The holidays offer their own magic, and even participating in lighthearted traditions can lift your spirit. Whether it’s lighting a candle each evening or slipping a handwritten letter to Santa into a child’s stocking, small gestures can help reconnect you with the sense of wonder that winter once held in childhood.
- #5. The Season of Reflection
Winter, perhaps more than any other season, invites reflection. As the year winds down, it’s only natural for you to begin considering what you’ve learned, what you’ve lost, and what you hope for in the months ahead. Instead of rushing toward the next goal, allow yourself space to acknowledge everything this year has held. You should also provide yourself with time to escape these thoughts by creating a wholesome winter self-care routine to pick your mood up and make you feel refreshed.
Final Thoughts...
There you have it – a roadmap to a more serene and fulfilling winter. Remember, creating a wholesome winter self-care routine isn't about grand gestures; it's about weaving small, intentional moments of self-kindness into the fabric of your days. As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, these practices become your personal sanctuary, a way to nurture your body, calm your mind, and uplift your spirit. So go ahead, embrace the cozy, find joy in the quiet, and make this winter your season of ultimate well-being. What small step will you take today to embrace your winter self-care journey?
