20 Self-Care Ideas for Winter

The nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder. Now’s the time for a winter self-care routine to nurture your body and mind. Try these 20 self-care ideas for winter which you could include into your regular self-care routine.

SELF-CARE IN WINTER
Your self-care is important. A regular routine of looking after your body and mind helps you keep strong and healthy emotionally, physically and psychologically for the demands of daily life.

In Winter it can be difficult to honour and maintain your self-care as it’s often colder (and less inviting!) outside and darker in the evenings. Many of us tend to want to hibernate if possible!

Here are some simple, effective self-care ideas that are perfect for this time of year. Try to make a point of doing them regularly, maybe choose one idea per day. Even just a little bit of time for you can make a big difference to your physical and mental health.

20 SELF-CARE IDEAS FOR WINTER

1. Gratitude – Practice daily gratitude and appreciate all that you have in life, instead of constantly searching and wishing for what you don’t.

2. Journal – Get your thoughts out of your head and down onto paper so you can see them clearly and take action where necessary.
10 minutes to yourself – It may not be a long time but just having some quiet time to do what YOU want, instead of what others want you to do, can help you recharge your batteries.

3. Bath and bubbles – Nothing beats a long soak in a warm bath with some lovely bath products to add a little touch of luxury!

4. A hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate – Make yourself a hot drink and make time to actually sit and drink it whilst it’s still warm!

5. Walk in the cold – Wrap up warm and take a brisk walk in the cold to get your body moving and blood pumping.

6. Enjoy mulled wine – A perfect seasonal treat that warms the heart and the body!

7. Sort your winter clothes – Declutter your wardrobe and go through the cold weather clothes to see what you love, what you wear regularly and what you haven’t worn for the last 3 winters.

8. Light a scented candle – Bring a little warmth and cosy light to your home when it’s dark outside.

9. Decorate your home with seasonal colours and accessories – Go for colours and textures that reflect the season we’re in and if you love dressing your home up with Christmas decorations, then go for it! Who doesn't love a midwinter Christmas?

10. Read a book – When it’s cold and dark outside, nothing beats curling up under a blanket with a good book.

11. Bake – I love the smell of freshly baked cakes and cookies so hone your baking skills when it’s much warmer in the home than outside it!

12. Learn a skill – Again, you might not be able to spend so much time outside with the shorter days so think about ways you can use your time productively inside instead.

13. Keep hydrated and drink plenty of water – Don’t let your skin dry out because the heating’s going full-blast.

14. Declutter your home – Remember that decluttering is a wonderful form of self-care.

15. Enjoy and experiment cooking stews and soups – Create some warm and hearty meals that you can batch cook and make big quantities of to freeze for super-busy times.

16. Have a pyjama day – Why get dressed if you don’t have to?

17. Call a friend or loved one – A good chat with someone you love and trust does wonders for our mental health.

18. Arrange a fun and cosy night in for you and your partner/family/friends – Make it really special by making everyone feel at home.

19. Share a hug – Give someone a hug, either for warmth or to show them some love.

20. Remember you are special – Because you are!