Self-care is something we need to continually work on if we want to become a better version of ourselves.
I’ve noticed different times throughout the year when I feel at my best vs. when I need to set aside a little extra time for self-care. December and the winter months especially are a perfect time to reflect on what our priorities have been the last year, the changes we want to make, and what will help push us toward our full potential. I know personally it’s always that time of year when I need to prioritize my self-care more, especially as the seasons change and my routine shifts.
Adjusting your self-care routine doesn’t require you to make drastic changes or overhaul everything you’re currently doing. It’s more about learning how to make smaller changes that can help you feel a little better each day. While self-care looks different for everyone, what’s most important is learning how to prioritize your well-being by focusing on what’s essential for your mental, physical, and emotional health.
Here are 12 winter self-care ideas to help you feel your best and prioritize your well-being:
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Physical Self-Care:
While working out is just one aspect of physical self-care, I’ve learned how important it is to prioritize my physical health to feel my best especially during the long winter months, when routines feel harder to maintain. Some physical self-care ideas to help you throughout the winter months:
1. Stay Hydrated
While there are obvious benefits to drinking water, it can also make a huge difference in our energy levels and overall well-being by keeping our skin moisturized and hydrated during winter. Even though I’m pretty consistent about drinking water year-round, I find myself drinking even more throughout this season in particular, especially since it helps with my dry skin.
I recommend investing in a good water bottle (you can never have too many!) such as the Owala FreeSip. If you’re somebody who fills up their water bottle but has a hard time remembering to drink it, the Hidrate Spark PRO is another great option. It lights up when it’s time to take a drink, which is extra helpful during busy days.
2. Get A Full Night’s Rest
At the beginning of the year, I struggled to even get six hours of sleep each night. I could never shut my brain off, and even when I did finally fall asleep, I’d wake up in the middle of the night for hours at a time thinking about everything I had to do the following day.
The lack of sleep affected how I felt mentally and left me feeling exhausted and disconnected most days. When I realized how much it was impacting my health, I knew I needed to learn how I could adjust my sleep schedule to ensure I was getting at least eight hours of sleep at night.
Some things that helped me were limiting screen time and getting into bed earlier, even if I wasn’t falling asleep right away. If you live somewhere cold like I do, I also highly recommend investing in a heated blanket. It’s one thing I can’t live without during the winter, especially since it helps me relax (and stay warm!) before bed.
3. Commit To Staying Active
While it doesn’t have to be an elaborate exercise routine, moving your body during December and the cold winter months can make a huge difference in how you feel, both mentally and physically.
Whether it’s a brisk walk outside for 30 minutes, running on a treadmill, or doing exercises in your living room, it’s about finding what feels best for you and helps you stay energized during the long winter months. If you work from home, I highly recommend investing in a walking pad that can easily slide under your desk to help you get extra steps in throughout the day.
4. Relax By Taking A Bath
Since I have extremely sensitive skin, there are far few things that make me feel better during December and the winter months than soaking in a warm bath. I love lighting a few candles, grabbing a book, and letting myself completely relax.
A couple of my favorite bath essentials include bath bombs and soaking in Epsom salt,which helps exfoliate skin, reduce stress, and soothe aching muscles.
Mental Self-Care:
5. Journal To Process Emotions
Journaling is a great place to start if you’re unsure what’s missing from your self-care routine. I’ve found that whenever I’m feeling off, taking the time to reflect usually helps me pinpoint what I need to work through so I can shift my mindset and improve my mental health.
Whether you’re somebody who prefers journals that have daily prompts or a workbook that helps you discover your self-worth, it always helps to write down how you’re feeling so you can reflect.
While I used to be pretty regimented about journaling at night, I’ve also found it helpful to write in the morning to help set intentions for the day ahead. I have different journals depending on what I want to write about, but one of my favorites is a notebook with blank pages so that I can free-write without any type of distraction. Journaling has helped me process emotions I didn’t even know I had, and sometimes it’s easiest when you can brain dump and write about anything that comes to mind.
6. Read Or Listen To Something Inspiring
Whenever I’m feeling off or disconnected from myself, I always find that listening to an inspiring podcast, or escaping in a good book.
My go-to podcast when I need inspiration or advice is Joyce Meyer, because her advice always seems to be exactly what I need to hear. Even though I typically read psychological thrillers, I also love diving into a feel-good romance. And since it’s the holiday season, set aside time to watch a festive movie or show (my favorite is the Grinch!).
Even if it’s only for a short amount of time, reading or listening to something uplifting can make a huge difference in how you feel mentally. We might not always feel like we have time for the things we enjoy, but you’ll never regret taking time for yourself and doing something that makes you feel better. Sometimes those small moments of joy are exactly what you need to feel refreshed and reconnected to yourself.
Related posts you might like:
- 30 Reflective End Of The Year Journal Prompts
- The Importance Of Self-Reflection For Personal Growth
- 10 Easy Habits To Become Your Best Self
7. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is about learning how to be fully present where you are, without being overwhelmed by what’s happening around you. Moments of stillness can bring the most clarity because they allow you to slow down and enjoy the moment you’re in.
It’s hard to appreciate the present if we’re always focused on the past or worried about the future. Mindfulness is about accepting your thoughts and allowing yourself to feel your feelings without judgment.
Maybe you aren’t where you thought you’d be this season. But rather than getting down on yourself for unmet expectations, accept that you’re where you’re supposed to be and that things are falling into place even when it doesn’t look like growth is happening on the outside. Meeting yourself where you’re at helps you accept your circumstances, bringing you even more fulfillment and joy.
8. Take A Break When Things Feel Overwhelming
Something that I always try to remind myself when it comes to self-care is that I don’t always have to be ‘on’ all the time to be productive.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to identify what’s contributing to those feelings. If it’s social media, try unplugging for a day, or even a night. If it’s because you haven’t carved out any time for yourself, make sure you’re setting aside the time you need to focus on your mental health.
At the beginning of the year, I constantly felt burned out because I thought I wasn’t being as productive when I was resting. But what I’ve learned is that sometimes self-care is about learning to slow down and embrace where you are, rather than always rushing to the next task or adding something else to your to-do list.
You can still be productive with rest, and more often than not, you’ll find you’re even more productive because you took that extra time for yourself. Rest without guilt, and don’t be afraid to take a break if things feel overwhelming.
Emotional Self-Care:
9. Nurture The Relationships In Your Life
I always feel better when I’m able to spend time with people who truly love and care for me unconditionally, the people who make me feel better just by being around them.
The winter months can feel harder to make plans, especially with how hectic the holidays can be, but try to schedule dinner with a friend or time to catch up over a phone call. I notice how much my mood lifts after spending time with or talking to the people who make me feel whole, and it can make all the difference emotionally in how you feel.
10. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
One of the best self-care practices I discovered was writing a letter to your future self. It doesn’t even have to be your future self in five or ten years, it can be six months or a year from now.
What I love most about writing and journaling specifically is being able to look back at past entries and see how far I’ve come and what I’m still believing for. Whether it’s reflecting on how I felt at the time, what my goals were, or what I accomplished and still hope to achieve.
Writing a letter to your future self, especially during the winter months and before the new year, is the perfect time to reflect on where you are and set intentions on what you’re hoping for in your life. Ask yourself what lessons you want to carry with you, what your hopes are for the future, or dreams that you’d like to see come true, no matter how big or small they feel.
It can help you connect and identify what your deepest hopes and desires are while reflecting on what truly matters the most to you.
11. Say No to Anything That Drains Your Energy
I love being social, but I also know that when I have too much social interaction without a break, my energy becomes drained rather quickly.
One of the best things I’ve done for my mental health is not being afraid to say no to anything that I know will drain my energy even more. As somebody who’s (mostly) a former people-pleaser, I struggled with this for a long time. But I also knew that to feel at my best emotionally, I needed to take out time for myself rather than only taking time out for other people.
Saying no doesn’t make you selfish, it shows that you’re prioritizing what’s most important for you and your emotional health.
12. Let Go Of Anything That Brings You Stress By Setting Boundaries
Something I used to always struggle with was learning how to set boundaries, even when I knew I was committing to something that would only bring me more stress.
Once I learned how to pinpoint where my stress was stemming from, I was able to notice the things or situations that only caused me to feel more overwhelmed. Set boundaries by starting small: try saying no to an extra commitment, or standing up for yourself when somebody says something that you don’t actually agree with.
Learning how to set boundaries isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary for your emotional health. The people who truly love you will always respect your feelings even when or if they can’t understand them. Boundaries allow you to put your own needs first while creating space for healthier relationships. It also helps you protect your inner peace by deciding what you will and won’t stand by.
Prioritizing yourself throughout the winter months can feel more challenging between the busy holidays and changing seasons. But taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health is essential for your well-being. Remember, self-care is about doing what feels best for you, regardless of what it looks like to anybody else.
