Looking to up your self care rituals this winter? Keep reading to find our top tried and tested winter self care ideas.
Winter can be a difficult time, both for our bodies and our minds.
Cold temperatures and strong, chilly winds can dry out our skin and lips and the grey skies and short days can wreak havoc on our mental balance and Vitamin D levels.
Just as we switch up our wardrobes and welcome the winter season, it might also be a good idea to switch up your self-care rituals with the seasons too.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of winter self-care for a while, now might just be the best time to finally embrace a wellness self-care routine, just in time for winter.
As the seasons change so do our metabolisms, mood, hormones and even sleep patterns so it’s probably a good idea to change up our wellness routines too in order to truly embrace the new seasons.
Switching up your self-care rituals can also provide balance and harmony with nature and our surroundings.
Here are some wonderful self care for winter rituals in order to achieve optimum well-being during the colder months.
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When it comes to choosing self care ideas for winter and sticking to them, make sure they suit you and your schedule and lifestyle.
You don’t have to do everything in this post, just what you have time for and what makes you feel good. Remember that self-care is also about finding peace and not stressing out over trying to cram more into our day.
It’s said that having a morning routine has been shown to decrease stress levels and improve productivity but don’t worry if you’re not a morning person or simply don’t have time. Having a great evening routine can be just as beneficial. Make your winter self-care rituals YOURS.
Read more: Self Care Journal Prompts for Better Living
Top Winter Self-Care Ideas
Take a Warm Bath
After a cold and perhaps rainy, grey day there’s nothing better than slipping into a warm bath right before bedtime as the ultimate self care in winter ritual.
Taking a bath is both relaxing and can enhance your sleep too.
For added benefits, you can add essential oils to soothe the mind and Epsom salts which have healing and detox effects on the body.
Moreover, running a bath provides an opportunity for you, a time for relaxation all to yourself. You can use this time to just forget about the stresses of the day or practise gratitude and deep breathing.
Morning Yoga
One of the best ways for the body to wake up is with some gentle yoga to slowly nudge it out of its stiffness and slumber.
Practising yoga first thing in the morning means you start your day with movement which is critical to overall health.
A great morning flow will also start to move blood around your body, warming you up from the inside- perfect for if you still haven’t put your heating on.
Setting aside some time for morning yoga or a morning routine can also make you more productive throughout the day and gives you some peace in the morning to get centred and emotionally ready for the day.
Read more: The Best Non Toxic Yoga Mat Guide for Health-Conscious Yogis
Start an Indoor Garden
Winter automatically means less time spent outside so there’s never been a better time to bring nature inside to you.
Not only do house plants breathe in our carbon dioxide and purify the air with more oxygen, but they are also able to provide us with a feeling of peace and tranquillity similar to being in a forest.
Just the sight of that deep green colour automatically adds an organic, calm element to the home which can help to promote peace and relaxation. Adding just a few plants to the main rooms in your home can make all the difference.
Morning Meditation
Morning meditation is something I personally swear by to feel more mindful, appreciative and grounded throughout the day.
While meditation has its benefits throughout all seasons, our intentions might change with the winter months. If you already meditate you might think about shifting energy throughout your practice as the seasons change.
Alternatively, there’s never been a better time to start and add it into your self-care rituals, mediation can help to reduce stress, improve mood and it can also help you become more positive and aware of how you react to certain situations.
During the winter months, I personally love to add warmth to my meditation practice by lighting a few candles and popping some wintry, Christmasy essential oils in the diffuser.
Switch Up Your Skincare Routine
The colder weather can have a profound effect on your skin often drying it out and leaving it cracked and chapped.
While those light, oil-free serums may have worked wonders for your skin in the summer, you might find your needs changing in the winter.
It might be a good idea to change up your winter skincare routine to include light yet more hydrating moisturisers, hydrating lip balms and using hydrating hair masks more frequently to protect hair from rain and icy winds.
We all have different skin needs that vary throughout the changing seasons so consider this your reminder to look closely into yours as the months get colder.
Light a Candle
Whether you have 30 minutes to relax or just five, the simple act of lighting a candle can transform your room and your mind.
Focusing on the dancing, flickering flame is your cue to perhaps breathe deeply, meditate for a little while or just clear your head from the day’s events.
With just this one simple winter self-care ideas you’ll have stolen a few peaceful moments for yourself.
Shop all luxury candles on Amazon here.
Stay Hydrated
By keeping well hydrated throughout the day, you’re helping your body perform at its optimum. Being well-hydrated will keep your energy levels up, and headaches at bay and can also help with stomach issues. I
n the winter it’s often easy to forget about drinking water as we’re not as thirsty as in the summer however staying hydrated can improve our skin in the winter too, making it less dry and cracked.
If you still haven’t made the move to a plastic-free usable water bottle, I highly recommend this one from LARQ. Having a water bottle also means that you’ll also be able to keep track of your daily water intake.
Cook Up a Healthy Feast
Winter for many means more hearty and warming fare and perhaps a few more calories too as the body needs more energy to keep warm.
At this time it’s easy to start eating unhealthy but make sure you stick with warming yet natural and wholesome meals like stews, curries or soups.
Spend some time in the kitchen this winter cooking up a healthy feast for a significant other or for your loved ones.
The process of preparing food is something everyone can join in with and focusing on chopping, tasting different flavours and stirring a soup for example can also be a very meditative experience.
Put Down Your Phone
Less time outdoors means more time indoors and on our devices but make sure you don’t let mindless scrolling eat up your day.
Use social media consciously and when you have some free time without letting it consume your evening. Put down your phone, preferably far away out of your grasp and consciously use that time productively.
Setting your phone down for a few hours each night and before you go to sleep can help improve sleep patterns and reduce stress as well as overall eye health.
It will also provide you with some time to truly connect with your loved ones and establish other self-care rituals.
Star Gazing
For the ultimate outdoor self care tips for winter, star-gazing must be one of the most romantic. On clear, crisp nights, go stargazing and marvel at the winter constellations- just remember those extra layers and blankets.
Take a Short, Brisk Walk
We naturally move less in the winter, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on exercise altogether.
With the weather permitting, getting out daily for a brisk walk will fill the lungs with fresh cool air and it gets the heart rate going.
Going for a walk can also better connect you with nature and what’s around you improving stress levels, productivity and general motivation.
Connecting with nature can also greatly improve your mood, especially if you take yourself out for a walk on a lovely, sunny day.
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing might just be the newest wellness craze but this self care ritual does carry countless benefits so you might want to give it a try.
Not only does it give you the opportunity to spend some quality downtime with yourself, but it also increases circulation, gives you softer and smoother skin, exfoliates the skin and leaves you feeling invigorated and energised.
It’s perfect for the upcoming colder months when your skin could do with a little more love than usual.
Shop the best dry brush by Goop G.Tox here
Journal
Journalling allows you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, helping you process emotions and set goals. By getting your thoughts on paper, you can aide yourself in navigating through feelings, actions and negative behavioural patterns.
The 5 Minute Journal is one of the best journals out there to help you get started.
Read more: Self Care Journal Prompts for Better Living
Enjoy Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is a great, festive treat to enjoy once in a while. It’s difficult to beat a night in with friends some mulled wine and a good movie after all.
Visit a Local Christmas Market
The winter season and the run-up to Christmas is a great time to get out and enjoy the best of what the holidays have to offer. Visiting some local Christmas markets will give you a chance to hang out with friends, buy some last-minute Christmas gifts and sample some local wintry treats.
Some of the best Christmas Markets can be found in Europe but if you’re in the US, make sure to add Leavenworth, WA to your winter travel bucket list.
Restyle your Home
Winter’s arrival brings an ideal opportunity to transform your living space. Swap cool summer tones for warm, cozy hues. Add plush blankets, fluffy pillows, and soft rugs to create inviting nooks.
Work on your Goals for the New Year
The end of the year is one of the best times to turn inward and focus on your aspirations for the year ahead. Set clear goals, create actionable plans, and find motivation in the quietude of the season.
Taking some time out to think about your goals already can mean you’ll be turning them into reality much faster as the new year comes in.
Start a New Book
Winter is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a blanket a hot cup of tea and a riveting new read. Grab a new book on your favourite topic, be it travel or fiction and let it take you places.
Have a Rest Day
One of the best winter self care tips I ever remember receiving was to slow down and take a break. I think this especially applies to the winter as the season is just too busy with so much going on.
It’s important to just have that one day for yourself, to prioritise yourself and your own rest. Take one day for yourself to rest and indulge in these self care practices might be just what you need.
Enjoy a Spa Day
If your idea for a rest day involves some pampering in style, then why not spend the day at your favourite spa?
Transport yourself to a world of tranquility and rejuvenation and indulge in a luxurious facial or massage and make the most of the steam rooms, sauna and hydrotherapy circuit.
