Winter can be a challenging time, energy is low, the weather is frigid and the days are often gray. It is a time of rest as the natural world is more dormant, and it’s normal to want to just hibernate on these cold days.

It can also be a beautiful time of year with snowfall, and coziness, and it’s a great time to prioritize your self care.

Here are some practical ways you can take care of yourself and maintain a more positive mindset during the Winter:

1. Prioritize Self-Care:

• Looking after your well-being is of utmost importance. Especially during this cold dark time when seasonal depression/ seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can kick in. Take steps to mitigate the effects of the season by nourishing your mind, body, and mental wellness.
• Get as much as sleep as you can/ feel you need in a given day. Make time for you and for relaxation. Let yourself rest.
• Eat well, however that looks for you. Eat what feels good to you and to your body, and incorporate balance in your diet. Listen to your body.
• Notice how you feel, be gentle with yourself and acknowledge your needs.
• Seek support from healthcare professionals if needed.
• Remember that self-care can look different on different days and in different seasons.

2. Create a Cozy Sanctuary:

• Embrace the comfort of staying indoors by creating a warm and inviting space. Create a vibe in your home that you enjoy.
• Invest in soft blankets, comfy pillows, and warm lighting to enhance the coziness.

3. Slow Down – Practice Hygge:

• Hygge (“Hyoo-guh“) is a Danish and Norwegian lifestyle philosophy emphasizing comfort and well-being. It’s about taking time for simple-pleasures, coziness, contentment, and quality time, with yourself or others. It’s the art of slowing down, appreciating and enjoying things/ moments/ environments that feel good to you.
• Take time to relish and enjoy simple pleasures like hot beverages, candles, warm showers, good books, how beautiful the snow fall is from a view inside where it’s warm, cozy socks, cuddled up movie nights—or just any feel-good moment of your day. As you make time for comfort and notice what feels good, it has the propensity to create more and more of that feeling and a general sense of ease.

4. Establish a Winter Routine:

• Set a consistent schedule to maintain a sense of structure during darker days.
• Include activities that bring you joy or relaxation, such as meditation, reading, video games, or indulging in a favorite hobby of yours.

5. Stay Active Indoors:

• We tend to be less active during the cold months, and moving our bodies can have a massively positive impact on our mental health. Engage in something physical that you enjoy doing, like yoga/ stretching, home workouts, or dance around the house.

6. Embrace Winter Activities:

• Explore winter-specific activities like ice skating, skiing, tobogganing, playing in the snow, or by taking a refreshing winter walk.
• Being outdoors is another great thing to do for your mental and physical wellbeing. This can be a great mood shifter and energy boost especially on days when the sun is shinning.
• Dress for the cold. It sounds basic but being comfortable is a big factor for enjoying yourself!

7. Connect with Others:

• Interacting with other people – especially those who you love and make you feel uplifted after being with them- can have a profound impact on your sense of well-being and fulfillment.
• Make time for quality time with friends and family. Do movie/ game nights, or cozy dinners. Nourish your relationships and connect.

8. Bring Nature Inside:

• Bring the outdoors in by incorporating plants and natural elements into the home.
• Having greenery (even if artificial), around you not only creates a nice view, but it can have a positive impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing.
• If you are picking up a house plant and aren’t sure what to start with, we recommend a Snake plant. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they are a resilient plant, easy to care for, and are a natural air purifier. (They do not require much light and will tolerate very low light which is key with there being less light during this time of year)._.

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The Winter can have its challenges, but with some intention and feeling out what works for you, you can embrace the winter season and find joy in its unique offerings.

Wishing you a beautiful cozy season!

Spring will be here again!

Share your tips for staying positive during winter in the comments section!