Inside: Use these winter self-care ideas to beat the winter blues this year and make yourself a little happier!
Let’s get real here. Winters can be really tough. The weather can have a huge impact on our emotional well-being, and the fact that it gets dark so early in the day certainly doesn’t make things any better.
The winter blues are a very real thing, and they can affect even the most positive of people that live in places where winters are rough and see less daylight. While we can’t control the weather, we can certainly take action to make things a little better.
A surefire way to help your body fight through a wintertime slump? By staying as physically active as possible, practicing self-care on the regular, and spending time doing things we love.
If you tend to have a hard time getting through the colder months, here is a list of some winter self-care ideas that will help you feel better and beat the winter blues like an absolute pro!
Winter Self-Care Ideas
1. Get moving
Staying physically active is important any time of the year, but it becomes essential during the colder months. Yes, I know it’s difficult to get motivated when it’s cold outside, but getting your heart rate up will have wonderful effects on your mental wellbeing.
Plus, exercise increases dopamine levels in our brains, which decreases stress and depression. Yay, science!
Make it a mission this winter to get your body moving as much as possible. If you’re not super excited about leaving the house to go jogging (understandable), you can always try some at-home Youtube workouts or join a class to help you stay inspired and learn something new!
Make sure you’re not doing exercise with the sole aim of losing weight. Obviously, working out will help you achieve your physical goals, but it’s not just about that.
Instead of seeing exercise as something you have to do because you don’t love your body, try seeing it as something you do because you love yourself and want to be your healthiest self.
Perspective is so important, and seeing exercise as something good rather than punishment will make the experience a whole lot more enjoyable!
2. Get a therapeutic hobby
There’s an endless list of benefits that come with enjoying hobbies. For one, hobbies can help relax your body and mind while reducing stress.
Moreover, activities that you do just for pleasure keep you grounded and present. Plus, having a hobby will encourage you (and even have you looking forward) to taking a break while also keeping your mind super active.
There’s a world of exciting, therapeutic hobbies that you can try while cozying up in the warmth of your home. Think knitting, candle-making, painting, flower-arranging, or DIYing to get a pretty good idea of a few of the new hobbies you can try your hand at this winter.
3. Bake everything
Speaking of therapeutic hobbies, baking just happens to be one of those! Baking treats is guaranteed to lift your mood instantly while also giving you a sense of purpose, which is a life-saver whenever you start feeling the winter blues kicking in.
Another huge benefit? You’ll get rewarded for your baking efforts with delicious treats, so what’s not to love? Get super busy this winter by baking some of your family’s classics as well as adding a few new recipes into your repertoire.
Share your baked goods with friends or neighbors for an added emotional boost. It feels great to give to others and bring some joy to their day.
4. Declutter a room
Get ahead of spring cleaning by decluttering a room (or your entire house) this winter. While decluttering your entire home may be too overwhelming, you can totally take it one step at a time.
Aim to declutter just one room and then decide if you want to continue with the next as you go along.
If you’re not sure where to start, begin with these easy areas you can declutter in 10 minutes. They’ll have a big impact on your space which will motivate you to continue with the process.
If your wardrobe has got you feeling down this winter, declutter it too. Having only clothes that fit and that you love in your closet will help you feel better.
You can also donate the clothes you no longer want to nearby charities that may need the extra layers to stay warm during the winter months.
5. Do something nice for someone else
Whether you sign up for volunteering at a local charity, bake cookies for your family, or cook a meal for that friend who’s struggling this winter, acts of generosity will strengthen your relationships while also giving you a dose of dopamine, which has been proven to help beat the winter blues.
It feels great knowing you helped to brighten someone else’s day.
6. Drink lots of water
With so many warm beverages on the menu (that’s one of the things we all actually love about winter!), drinking water can feel like the last thing you want to do. Still, though, make sure to make an extra effort to get enough H2O throughout the day to stay healthy and hydrated.
If you have a hard time drinking water, here are a few helpful tricks to make it a habit:
- Keep a bottle of water by your desk so you get reminders to take small sips throughout the day.
- Get yourself a cute water bottle and carry it everywhere you go.
- Try adding lemon to your water to add a little taste to it.
- Challenge yourself to drink a glass of water before rewarding yourself with a warm drink.
- Eat more liquid foods like soup.
7. Make plans with the people you love
One of the biggest symptoms of the winter blues is feeling unsociable. Even if you’re not up for going out every single day, try to make an effort to make plans with your favorite people every week or two.
Moreover, being intentional with your relationships will help improve your mood while strengthening your friendships. Getting out of the house, spending time with others, and changing up your routine are essential to ward off that winter funk.
8. Pamper yourself at home
While self-care is so much more than exfoliants, hair treatments, and spa days, there’s no denying that taking time to pamper ourselves can have a huge impact on the way we feel throughout the day.
Even though there’s nothing like visiting the spa with your best friends, a great (and more budget-friendly) way to treat yourself is by setting up an at-home spa!
Give yourself permission to spend a few evenings soaking in your bathtub reading your favorite books, indulging in an extensive skincare routine, or buying that beauty product you’ve had your eye on for a while!
9. Burn a candle
Not only is it super nice to be in a place that smells great but scents and odors have been proven to affect how we feel and can have a huge impact on our mood, not to mention the feelings of hygge that they bring.
Turn your home into an impromptu aromatherapy session by burning candles and diffusing mood-lifting essential oils. Lavender and ylang-ylang are great if you need to relax, and scents like rosemary and citrus are guaranteed to give you a much-needed energy boost!
While we don’t have any control over the weather, these winter self-care ideas are pretty much guaranteed to uplift your spirits and help you get through the season.
Make it a mission to try as many activities on the list over the next few months and don’t forget to keep self-care on your to-do list on an ongoing basis.
What’s your favorite of the winter self-care ideas? Tell us in the comments section.
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