Self-care is something we should always be practicing.
But self-care in winter is even more important.
The winter season can be difficult for a multitude of reasons.
Not to mention, it’s so much harder to get out of bed on cold, dark mornings than on warm bright ones.
That’s why self-care in winter is especially important.
I have a lot of ideas for how you can practice extra self-care in the winter months!
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Stay warm
Put on your coziest clothes, socks, scarves and boots.
I may be a bit bias because there’s usually only about two weeks during the year that it is cold enough to wear any of the above items, but I love cold weather fashion.
If you live somewhere that it actually gets cold, please appreciate that and get dressed up in your cutest cold weather outfits!
Keeping yourself warm is important for keeping yourself healthy.
I find that it’s also important for my keeping productive.
When I get cold, I tend to get sleepy and lethargic. Is it the same for you?
While moving around can warm you up, you might be doing something that has you sitting still for some time (like writing a blog post) so be sure to keep yourself layered and cozy.
Keep moving
While cold weather is good for sleeping in, it’s also important to make sure that you’re still moving your body!
If you live somewhere that the snow makes it difficult to get around to places (or you just don’t like the cold) you still need to stay in motion.
That’s a big part of your self-care in winter.
I know a lot of people like to go out to the gym, but there are so many great options and ways to workout right at home.
There are THOUSANDS of workout videos on Youtube for any level – beginner to expert.
Even if you don’t have any equipment, you can do body weight exercises.
Workouts can range from HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) to yoga.
There are also plenty of apps that you can download to find workouts as well, so there is no excuse for not keeping your body moving!
Stay in
Winter is a great season for cozy nights inside with a lit fire or candles.
If flames aren’t an option, hang twinkle lights to really set the mood.
Wear fuzzy socks, sip delicious soup, play board games or cards..
Even if you consider yourself more of an outdoors person, there are plenty of things you can do indoors!
Consider: baking, writing, drawing, painting, playing an instrument, playing chess, playing video games working on that home project you’ve been putting off or just taking a hot bubble bath!
Bake
Baking is awesome.
Baking requires focus but can also be calming.
Read
While you’re staying in, how about picking up that book you’ve been meaning to read for ages and actually reading it?
Or try something new from an autobiography to a romance novel.
Even if you don’t have any books on your shelves that you haven’t read, it doesn’t require spending any money.
Just take a trip to your local library, where everything is free!
If you haven’t been in years, your library has probably modernized since the last time you went so it’s definitely worth you checking out what other services your local library might offer.
Rest
I’m going to be completely honest with you: hibernating sounds awesome.
You pig out on a bunch of delicious food and take a long nap, not waking until Spring is almost here. You get to dream through all of the cold weather and low light days..
I know it can be super tempting to do our own sort of hibernation and wrap up in a blanket on the sofa with some hot cocoa and watch Netflix until spring… but this is just not healthy for you!
Particularly in winter, it’s important to take care of yourself because this is the time a lot of us tend to get sick!
You want to make sure to get enough sleep though.
Less like bears, more like Goldilocks.
Hydrate
You may find it easier to drink coffee in winter, but you still need to keep yourself hydrated with water!
Being dehydrated can lead to more fatigue and less motivation.
Drinking water can also help hydrate your skin, hair and nails, which will likely be dry during this time.
Try to drink the same amount of water your body is used to – or more, if you don’t drink that much water to start with.
I have a whole post on how to drink more water when you don’t like water if you need some good tips.
It’s also important to remember to take care of your skin.
Skin tends to get especially dry in winter, so keep it moisturized, especially after you take a hot shower or bath that might dry out your skin.
Invest in some nice lotion and it’ll make moisturizing feel like a luxury.
Don’t forget to keep up with SPF either, even though the light is lower the sun can still damage your skin.
Soak up sun
Get outside to soak up whatever sunlight you can!
One of our biggest natural sources of vitamin D is sunlight – which isn’t as strong during winter.
Even if you get out in the sun plenty, you may still want to talk to your doctor about adding a vitamin D supplement.
Alternatively, fatty fish (think tuna, salmon) are also rich in vitamin D.
Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a loss of bone density.
Also natural sunlight just tends to make you feel happier.
Take a Break
Have yourself a little fika, you deserve it!
Fika is a Swedish coffee break, but different from your usual coffee break.
What makes Fika different is the intention behind it to purposefully slow down, have some quality time with a friend – or yourself – and also to have a sweet treat.
Honestly, coffee isn’t even required. You could easily have a Fika with some tea.
Drink Hot Beverages
Hot beverages are so nice when it’s cold out.
Coffee, tea, cider or even hot chocolate..
Allow yourself to enjoy the sweeter things.
Treat yourself when you want to, you deserve it.
Make your own at home to save a little money or go out to get your favorite shop’s brew.
Eat Well
I think Virginia Woolf said it best —
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.
So be sure to give your body food that will fuel and nourish it.
It’s a great time for soups, stews and slow-cooking.
Enjoy Music
Listen to uplifting music during this time of the year.
If you love Christmas music, feel free to jam out to it as early as you like.
Music therapy is actually an evidence based treatment shown to help with many ailments.
But you don’t need a clinical background to know that music can really change your mood.
Most of us have felt that.
So try to keep it light and happy this time of year.
Aromatherapy
Surround yourself with festive scents, or just winter aromas.
Which is your favorite?
I’m not telling you to go out and purchase all the essential oils, or anything at all.
A lot of amazing scents can be brought to your home in other ways like scented candles or cinnamon brooms.
Some essential oils can also be harmful to our furry friends and family.
Calling lighting some scented candles therapy is a bit of a stretch, I’ll admit.
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment when used by people with proper education.
But olfaction (smelling) is one of our oldest and most powerful senses.
It’s also heavily tied to memory, which is why many scents can feel nostalgic.
Gratitude
Yes it’s on like every list.
Sorry not sorry.
The winter months and holidays can bring anxiety and sadness for many people.
It’s cold and dark, so it’s not hard to understand why Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) exists.
Even if it’s not SAD, you might just have the winter blues.
Start or keep a gratitude list.
I recommend keeping one all year, but it may prove especially useful around this time.
It often happens that what we look for is what we find.
It can be easy to focus on all of the things that other people have, that you don’t.
Shift your perspective and be grateful for all of the things that you already have.
Try keeping a notebook next to your bed and start your day with writing down 3 things each morning that you are grateful for and start your days on the right foot.
Ok so full disclosure, I am living in the “sunshine state” so the winter experience is not nearly as harsh here as it can be in other places.
But I definitely still understand the winter struggles.
The low light, the sun setting by 6pm… that’s why self-care in winter is so important.
I hope you’ve found something here that has inspired you to take a little better care of yourself this winter season!
Temperatures may be low, but try to keep your spirits high.
Remember that self-care is not selfish and that on the other side of winter will be spring!
Feel free to leave a comment if you have any additional ways to care for yourself during the winter months, or if you try any of these!
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