While it’s not technically the weekend yet, the Jojotastic team is taking the rest of the week off to enjoy time with our family and friends… which means our weekly wellness post is a bit early! We hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas and holiday season — and that you’re ready for New Years Eve. Moving into the true winter season can sometimes feel more draining compared to the brighter weather and thoughts associated with the other seasons. But here’s the thing: taking care of yourself is extremely important in seasons like winter, when we might be more inclined to feel “down.” Much like our fall post, I brainstormed 15 winter self-care ideas to help inspire you in the months ahead!
15 Winter-Inspired Self-Care Ideas to Inspire You
1. Reorganize your closet.
One of the best parts about seasons changing is the ability to pull out your clothes for that season. I find it really fun to go through my closet, organize it by pulling the cold-weather clothes to the forefront and moving the warm weather clothes to the back. It is also the perfect opportunity to donate clothes that have not been serving you lately to someone who might need them more.
2. Join a cookbook club.
One really good way to get involved with people in your community is to join a book club. So why not join a book club that encourages you to cook more? If this idea is new to you, basically you pick one book as a group and everyone has to contribute to a family style meal using recipes within the book! It’s a fun way to try new recipes.
3. Make a power playlist.
I actually heard of this from Rachel Hollis, a motivational speaker from LA. She encouraged her audience to create a playlist of all the songs that get you excited or just make you feel amazing. Listen to it often to help you feel good and encourage happy thoughts!
4. Make a meal for a friend or your next door neighbor.
You know how we do this sometimes when new people move into the neighborhood or have a baby? Well, why don’t we do it more often? I find that one way to get me to stop thinking about myself when I am feeling down is to think of how I can serve others. Research shows that it makes your much happier, too! Look for ways to serve your friends or community by bringing them a meal or dessert.
5. Update your hair.
Sometimes a new season calls for a new hairdo! I find that giving my hair a refresher really makes me feel more confident and stylish without really having to put much effort into my daily hair routine. Also, wind, rain, and snow can really be a bummer, so sometimes an update in hairstyle can help this problem.
6. Try the sauna at your local gym.
I feel like saunas are all the rage right now! Living in Seattle, the winter months can be very cold and it sometimes feels so hard to warm up. Saunas are known to actually warm your bones, so they help you warm up from the inside out. Cultures in extremely cold climates practice sauna sessions for this purpose as well, too. Try it!
7. Baking.
There is no doubt that winter feels like the best time to bake, it makes the house smell delicious and the oven just warms up the entire house. A recent article in the Atlantic talks about how baking actually relieves anxiety and stress. No wonder everyone loves doing it so much! We’ve shared lots of recipes that are a great place to start.
8. Take a drive.
One of my favorite things to do during the wintertime is go on a long drive in the morning or afternoon. It is a great way to see beautiful winter scenery without having to actually brave the cold!
9. Have a movie night in.
Cozy up, make some popcorn, and watch a movie with your favorite person or all by yourself. Here’s the thing though: the challenge is to leave the phone in the other room. So often we are not present in moments where we should be. The work and social media can wait, I promise!
10. Try a new workout class.
It is always nice to exercise outdoors, but when it is freezing outside or really dark in the early morning hours, it can be extremely hard to find the motivation. I loving trying out a new workout class and changing up my workout routine. Also, try inviting a friend to join you!
11. Write someone a letter.
In my opinion, people never send snail mail enough (myself included)! A good thank you note is such a classy gesture and writing a love note to your partner can be so romantic. Nothing makes me slow down more than sitting down and writing a thoughtful handwritten card. Find an excuse to write someone in your life a letter… you might even make their day!
12. Take up hot yoga.
In my fall self-care post, I mentioned meditating. Hot yoga is a way to meditate, workout and sauna all at the same time! It is warming for your bones and warming for your soul too.
13. Diffuse essential oils in your home.
I love the earthiness and smell of essential oils diffusing in our home. There is something so calming about having it going throughout the day. Also, unlike a candle, you can leave the diffuser on when you are not even home. That way when you come through the door, you are greeted with the most delicious aura right when you get home.
14. Listen a new podcast.
Podcasts are amazing to listen to during commutes, at work, or even while you are working around the house. One podcast I have heard that is really great and actually encourages happiness is called Happier by New York Times best selling author Gretchen Ruben. It talks all about ways to make your life easier and, therefore, happier in your day-to-day life.
15. Enjoy a warm drink.
There’s nothing quite like a fun seasonal drink to warm up those taste buds. Winter in the perfect opportunity to make warm drinks. Plus, they are actually great for your digestive system since your body does not have to work as hard to bring it to its same temperature. Try this Quince Hot Toddy recipe from the blog archives for a boozy option, too.
And if you’ve been following my Instagram Stories, I’m still working on a post about Seasonal Affective Disorder, so expect that on the blog soon. Take good care of yourself, friends! And if you’d like to add anything to this list, let me know down in the comments. Have a great new years and see you in 2019!
P.S. you can find even more self care and wellness tips here, including:
- 5 Things To Do For Yourself During the Holidays
- Why You Should Try a Meditation App
- Self-Care Tips While Traveling
- The Benefits of Float Therapy
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