8 Essential Self-Care Winter Tips To Survive The Cold

As beautiful and aesthetically enchanting as winter can be, it can also be a challenging season for many of us. The unfortunate combination of cold temperatures, shorter and darker days, and prolonged lack of sunlight can definitely take a toll on how we feel. But with the right self-care winter tips, we can try to navigate the season much more easily. This way, we can both embrace the colder months and thrive during them.

So if winter is a season you struggle with, then here are my 8 most helpful and effective self-care winter tips to help you nurture yourself and survive the cold months.

1. Stay Active (Indoors and or Outdoors)

This first point is one of the most effective self-care winter tips to help you survive the colder months: staying active and moving.

When the weather turns colder and the days shorter, it is extremely tempting to just stay curled up on the couch or bed, and even better if wrapped in a big and warm blanket. However, making sure you keep moving and maintain regular physical activity can be tremendously helpful in keeping your spirits and energy high during winter.

Just pick up whatever works best for you. As long as it’s something that helps you keep moving, then it’s good enough.

Indoors: If you’re more inclined toward indoor exercise, then try home workouts like Yoga, Pilates, or even strength training. If you don’t know where to start, just go online. You’ll find countless free workout videos there to help you stay motivated. And maybe try new disciplines you never tried before. You might find some that you’ll enjoy a lot.
Outdoors: Going outdoors can also be invigorating. So if going out is more your thing, then why not just bundle up and go out for a brisk walk or maybe even try some winter sports like ice skating or skiing. You can also aim for something simpler, and just head out for a short walk in the fresh air. Even if it’s short, a quick walk can always help boost your mood, and combat the winter blues.

So even if you feel like staying curled up under your blanket during winter, staying active and moving remains particularly important for your health and to help you feel better.

Woman meditating in the snow as a winter self-care activity. — Photo by Liesl Clark on Pexels.com

2. Prioritize Sleep

We should never underestimate the power of good sleep. Sleep plays such a vital role in our overall well-being that it is not a surprise that it’s always one of the top self-care tips.

During winter, you might find that your body naturally craves more sleep. This is totally normal. If this is your case, then do not hesitate to prioritize sleep, and even aim for longer sleeping hours. (Personally, my body does need more sleep during winter, so I know that I have to go to bed earlier to keep feeling okay.)

Simple sleeping tips I feel we could all benefit from:

Aim for at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Create a calming bedtime routine to help you unwind and come back to yourself at the end of the day. Dim the lights, put away screens for some time, and engage in some slow and calming activities (I personally really enjoy doing some yoga or stretching, then some reading afterwards–but you do you.) (Here’s my guide on How to create a calming night routine with 5 simple steps.)
Consider using a weighted blanket for extra warmth and comfort (these are great, they just make you feel so comfy and cozy and warm).

Sleeping enough is one of the most important self-care winter tips, so do not hesitate to make it a priority. Try to get some good and adequate rest every night (and even aim for longer hours if you feel like it’s something your body needs).

Woman sleeping on a bed with white blanket.

3. Embrace Hygge and Cozyness

In case you’ve never heard of it, Hygge is a famous Danish concept that revolves around creating a sense of coziness and comfort in your life to relax and enjoy the moment. And winter is the perfect time to embrace this concept and put it into daily practice.

These are some of my favorite ways to embrace Hygge:

Light some candles, wrap yourself in a soft blanket, and sip on a warm beverage (I really enjoy homemade spicy hot chocolate or ginger tea – but you do you, just pick your favorite winter drink).
Spend time focusing on doing slow activities that actually bring you joy, whether it’s reading, journaling, knitting, etc…. Focusing on things that make you happy can definitely help you from succumbing to the winter gloom.
Surround yourself with warm and soft lighting, soft textures, and calming music to create a soothing environment at home to help you relax, unwind, and warm yourself up.

Trying to cultivate a warm and cozy atmosphere that makes you feel relaxed at home can also be helpful for winter self-care, as it can help you feel more content and grounded.

A mug of hot chocolate for hygge as self-care winter tips. — Photo by Ioana Motoc on Pexels.com

4. Nourish Your Body with Seasonal Foods

Nourishing your body with healthy, nutrient-dense foods is important all year long for your health and well-being, of course. But it’s even more important during winter, when your body needs all the extra nutrients to stay healthy and support a strong immune system to combat all the winter infections.

Incorporate seasonal foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and citrus fruits into your daily meals. All of these are particularly rich in vitamins and minerals.
Have fun and try some new warming, hearty meals like soups, stews, and casseroles you’ve never tried before.
Maybe invite some friends or family over for dinner and make a nice evening out of it. (Sharing good food with people you love always makes it more special, doesn’t it?)

Nourishing your body with seasonal and nutrient-dense foods is crucial for proper nutrition, which will help you maintain your energy levels and combat winter illnesses.

And don’t forget to drink plenty of water (or herbal teas) to stay hydrated!

a woman eating healthy foods to nourish her body for winter self-care. — Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

5. Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Many people experience a real dip in mood and spirits when winter comes around, which is theorized to be caused by reduced sunlight exposure. So if you find yourself feeling more sluggish, maybe, or even more down than usual, it’s possible you might be dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD).

So what can you do to fix it?

Light Therapy: Investing in a light therapy box to simulate natural sunlight can be good for regulating your body’s internal clock. (There are some great ones out there that don’t cost much, so you don’t have to purchase an expensive one. Here’s a complete guide on how to choose yours.)
Get Outside: Embrace the little light there is! Whenever the sun is shining, try to go out and soak it up as much as you can, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes. A little bit of sun is always better than none.
Stay Social: This one is important. Really. Connecting with loved ones can make all the difference in lifting your spirits, whether it’s meeting for coffee, having a cozy gathering at home, or even just a call (or video call). Just like the sun, a bit of socialization is better than none.

Also, if you’re feeling really down, and your symptoms persist and feel overwhelming, then please do not hesitate to seek professional support. They’re here to help.

two women walking in a snowy street during winter — Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels.com

6. Mindfulness and Relaxation

If winter is a hard time for you, then it can bring a lot of stress. In this case, making sure to practice some mindfulness, meditation, or yoga (or any other calming relaxation tool that you prefer) can help you reduce stress, and stay calm and present.

Meditate: You don’t need to aim for a long session. Just spending 5-10 minutes a day meditating can be enough to help you reduce stress and center yourself.
Deep Breathing Exercises: Proper breathwork (long, deep breaths) can help you quickly lower your stress levels and promote relaxation.
Journaling: Write down three things you’re grateful and happy for each day to cultivate a mindset more focused on enjoyment and appreciation, rather than despairing about winter.

If you’re feeling particularly stressed because of winter, then mindfulness can be a great self-care activity to help you manage stress and feel better.

a woman practicing mindfulness in the snow for winter self-care. — Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

7. Winter Skincare

The rough combination of cold air and indoor heating can wreak havoc on your skin and damage it, leaving it super dry, irritated, and painful. So if it is your case too, then make winter skincare a priority (especially moisturizing):

Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of natural oils.
Apply a rich moisturizer daily to keep your skin hydrated and protected.
Add healthy foods that are rich in healthy fats and vitamin C to your diet. (Eating a healthy diet (especially fats) can really make a difference in your skin health.)
Eat more fatty fish! Every year, I have to up my fatty fish consumption, as it helps more with moisturizing than anything else I’ve ever tried. (Eating more sardines and mackerel is the only thing that stops my flaky skin.)
Treat yourself to warm (not too hot to damage your skin barrier) and soothing baths, and add some Epsom salts or essential oils for an added dose of relaxation.

So if your skin is particularly sensitive to the cold air and indoor heating, then the combination of proper skincare and diet can help reduce the damage of winter and any discomfort.

woman practicing a skincare routine as a self-care winter tip. — Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

8. EMBRACE WINTER

If winter is a particularly rough time for you, then despairing and resisting it will not make it better. It will only make it worse. So instead of fighting winter, maybe try embracing it for its unique qualities instead. Adapting to the season can definitely help bring a higher sense of enjoyment.

Shift Your Mindset: As always, a mindset shift is always a neat magic trick. So try to view winter as the time for slowing down and reflection that it is. Use this quieter and slower season to recharge and reconnect to yourself, while you turn your awareness within and quiet the external world.
Engage in Seasonal Activities: Try to find activities unique to winter that bring you joy (like building a snowman, making homemade soup or baking sweet things, or watching the snowfall with a warm drink in hand, etc…There are so many things to enjoy).
Dress Comfortably: Invest in cozy, winter clothing that you love to stay warm and comfortable. Also, layering with good and protective clothes when going out can make winter so much more enjoyable because you’re not freezing when you’re outside.
Create a Winter Routine: Your daily routine might need some adjustment, especially to suit the present season. This might mean spending more time on indoor hobbies or starting a new tradition like movie nights or baking days.

If winter is a particularly rough time for you, try to embrace it instead of resisting it. With the right state of mind, I’m sure anyone can find at least one thing they genuinely enjoy during winter.

two women having fun and in the snow as a self-care winter tip. — Photo by Danik Prihodko on Pexels.com

Final Thoughts

Winter, with its short days, reduced sunlight, and cold temperatures, can definitely be a tough season for many, many people.

But let’s not despair. With some winter self-care activities and strategies added to your daily routine, you can make winter a more pleasant season. For this, try staying active, nourishing your body with seasonal foods, or maybe even creating a cozy environment to relax. These are all simple but very practical self-care winter tips that can help you combat the winter toll on your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

Incorporateing some of these 8 self-care winter tips might help you be more equipped to face winter with less resistance (and more resilience and joy).

Also, do not forget to be particularly gentle with yourself, and prioritize what makes you genuinely happy and healthy!

So when you’re feeling down, go and light that candle, put on your favorite fuzzy socks and sweater, and embrace the season’s naturally slower pace. And remember, nothing ever last, Spring is just around the corner. For the time being – You’ve got this!