12 Winter Self Care Ideas To Embrace The Season

The winter months can be challenging, with shorter days and the sunlight being less frequent, so it’s good to find ways to look after yourself. This is where having a good winter self-care routine comes in.

Where I live, it has literally been grey outside for a couple of weeks, which I’ve been finding really difficult.

Normally (in Canada), we have cold, crisp winters with bright blue skies, but thanks to global warming, this year has been super mild and horribly grey.

I’ve personally felt a little of the winter blues (seasonal affective disorder) creeping in, and this is why I’m writing this winter self-care list today… to remind myself and you that we can create moments of bliss through self-care, even on the darkest and greyest of days.

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Let’s get into My Fave winter self-care ideas…

1. Get Fresh Air

Going outside to get fresh air is a great way to improve mental health, and when it’s winter it can really feel like you’re resetting your mind. 

In the colder months, it’s especially important to take in the fresh air, as the inside can feel stale due to the windows being closed for months on end.

So, get outside and breathe.

2. Seek Out Sunlight

The darker days of winter, with a lack of sunshine can really dampen your mood, so similar to getting fresh air, if you notice it’s a sunny day – go enjoy some sunlight.

According to Healthline,

“Sunlight and darkness trigger the release of hormones in your brain. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused.” 

We all know that getting outside in the sun feels good and the above proves that it positively affects our brains, so fun the sun any way you can.

If you live in a particularly grey place, try using a light therapy lamp to get in your daily sunlight.

3. Get Cozy

When you think of the word cozy, what comes to mind?

For me, I think of cuddling up with a warm blanket, soothing music, comforting food, a hot cup of tea, fairy lights and warm candlelight.

Whatever way you think of ‘cozy’ try adding a little more coziness to your daily routine.

Related: The Best Cozy, Hygge Gift Ideas 

4. Practice Morning Affirmations

Mornings can be tough in the winter, especially in the new year. So, using affirmations to set the stage for the day can be really helpful.

Using positive affirmations can also support seasonal depression.

Morning affirmations can be used to help in various aspects of life like building confidence, being successful and creating a happy mindset.

Here are some examples you can try:

• Today I will choose to love myself
• Today I will feel good about my choices
• I will seek out and enjoy the simple pleasures in life
• I can accomplish anything I set my mind to
• I see beauty in all things

5. Hydrate Your Skin

I don’t know about you, but my skin is horribly dry in the winter. I also deal with eczema, so hydrating my skin is of utmost importance. 

Here are the things I do to protect my dry skin:

• Use a humidifier. If you don’t have a humidifier on your furnace I highly recommend picking one up that you can use in your bedroom at night. It will help hydrate your skin and also reduce nose bleeds from dry winters. I recommend this bedroom humidifier.
• Moisturize (everywhere)! Honestly – cover yourself from head to toe in moisturizer every morning once you get out of the shower. It will lock in the moisture for the shower and keep your skin hydrated longer. I love using this body lotion, as it’s available everywhere and it comes in a large bottle.
• Use hand cream and natural lip balm throughout the day. Don’t wait until your hands and lips are already extremely dry, but before they are.
• Watch your shower temperature. Extremely hot showers feel good but they can really cause dry, chapped skin. So, try not to go overboard with the temperature.
• Drink plenty of water

6. Try a New Hobby (or get back to an old one)

In the winter we spend much more time indoors, so try to make the most of this time.

I don’t know about you, but if I notice I’ve been binge-watching too many Netflix shows, a feeling of guilt definitely creeps in.

Sure, you can watch TV, but try to pick up some other interesting activities you enjoy doing as well. 

My go-tos are reading more, listening to audiobooks, picking up my adult colouring books (here’s my latest one) and making new recipes. 

This year, I also have a goal of learning more about photography.

7. Write a Goals List

Self-care is not only about feeling good, but also supporting your dreams – and turning them into reality. So, try some goal-setting – for any area of your life.

👉 Download my SMART Goals Worksheet to help you get started.

8. Try a 30-Day Self-Love Challenge

Self-love is a big part of practicing winter self-care as self-care is as much about looking after your mind as your body.

There are so many things you can do to love yourself more, so check out my free 30-Day Self-Love Challenge to get started.

9. Look After Your Physical Health

Winter is a good time to focus on your exercise routine to promote good mental health and wellness. So, don’t let cold winter days stop you from being healthy.

Here are a few things you can try:

• Take a vitamin D supplement if you aren’t already
• Try a new physical activity – ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
• Take a short walk at lunchtime to increase your energy levels for the afternoon
• Load up on more fruit and veggies

10. Create Quiet Time

Do you feel like you are always ‘on’? I certainly do. Therefore, creating some quiet time in your schedule is the first step to looking after yourself.

You could:

• Sneak away and have a warm bath (bath bombs included) with the door locked
• Grab a good book and sit in your living room with your favourite hot drink of choice
• Get to bed early while diffusing some lavender essential oils
• Go for a long walk to start your day – perfect for winter mornings
• Listen to music or create a feel-good playlist

11. Speak To A Therapist

I’m a firm believer that getting professional help when it comes to mental health issues is extremely important for everyone.

And since the winter season can sometimes lead to worsening emotional health, speaking to a professional is a big part of self-care.

12. Eat a Nutrient Rich Diet

Comfort food in the winter is my go-to and I’m sure yours is too. So, it can be difficult to get in all of the nutrients needed to feel healthy – especially to boost your immune system during cold and flu season.

I started this challenge today called The Daily Dozen. It’s a free app from Dr. Greger who promotes a healthy whole food plant-based lifestyle.

The daily dozen includes a number of different healthy foods to eat each day (beans, flax, leafy greens, berries, etc), plus exercise.

Give it a try and see if you can get your daily dozen in!

Winter Self-Care Tips to Get Started

• Start small. Think of one little thing you can try today, that is just for you.
• Try something new from this self-care list – and if you like it, add it to your daily or weekly routine.
• If you can do just one thing to boost your mood in the winter – focus on sunlight and fresh air.
• Don’t forget social connection, which is also a type of self care. Many of these winter self-care ideas can include a family member or friend – getting fresh air outside, trying a new hobby, looking after your physical health, and so on.

👉 Check out my Self-Care Planner Worksheets to help you build a happy balanced week.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list of winter self-care ideas helps you enjoy the winter season more than ever. 

Self-care does take work – work to create time for yourself and create a routine that incorporates healthy habits into your day.

The cold weather can be a real challenge for many people, so focusing on new ways to look after yourself today (and always) is what’ll help you find gratitude and create the life you truly love.

How do you take care of yourself in the winter?

Share in the comments below to inspire others.

Related Winter Self-Care Resources:

• 15 Feel-Good Ways To Practice Emotional Self-Care
• How To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• 25+ Thoughtful Self-Care Gift Ideas
• 75 of the Best Self Care Sunday Ideas
• 100 Winter Bucket List Ideas

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