Instead of thinking about the frost accumulating on your car or your high electric bill from heating, reframe your mindset to cold weather enthusiasm. Winter is the ideal time to focus inward. Take time to feel the best you can while you hunker down indoors. These ideas will nurture you and others during seasons of gratitude and giving. As you prioritize your well-being during the colder months, ensure your dental health is not overlooked by finding a reliable dentist in park hills mo if you are in the area. Regular check-ups and dental care contribute to your overall self-care routine, allowing you to embrace the season of gratitude and giving with a healthy and confident smile. Read on Winter Wellness: How to Practice Self-Care This Time of Year.
Winter Wellness: How to Practice Self-Care This Time of Year
1. Nourish Others With Food
Food warms the belly and the heart. Many bake during the cold months because it’s meditative and creative. You can devote 100% of your mind to following a recipe and scratch the creative itch by decorating or making treats inspired by a theme.
You don’t have to go the sweets route if you don’t want to — feed yourself and others with a warm soup to celebrate togetherness and nourishment with connection. You’ll enjoy the nutrients from delicious food while feeling your soul be nourished by good company and conversation.
2. Reacquaint Yourself With a Hobby
Take winter as an opportunity to stop feeling guilty about how you haven’t crocheted, painted or kickboxed in a long time. Instead of defaulting to a night on your favorite streaming service, make time to be creative and active.
While you could try learning a new hobby, it may involve a learning curve or a monetary investment. Instead of being tempted to dive into something unfamiliar, return to your roots to avoid the mental and financial barrier.
3. Embrace Nature
Are you a runner who makes excuses not to train during the cold months because it’s unpleasant? Are you someone who enjoys reading by outdoor fairy lights but goes to bed early in winter instead? Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean you should lock yourself inside all winter long.
If you have a patio or balcony, take advantage of it all year and consider a small house project before the temperatures drop too low. Install a firepit or put a covering over your patio slab to protect against wind and snow.
4. Give Undivided Attention to Your Pet
It doesn’t matter if you have a cat, dog or bearded dragon. When life gets busy, you probably don’t give as much play or cuddle time to your pet as they deserve. If you’re going out less in winter, devote time to your pet that isn’t distracted by anything else.
Try not to pick up your phone or have something on the TV. Just enjoy the presence of your pet’s company in quiet stillness with however they enjoy attention best. You will make their day, and hopefully, the warm, fuzzy feeling inspires you to keep this trend going past winter.
5. Be Self-Compassionate
Winter is a time to anticipate the new year, which could bring anxiety or excitement. If you’re the type to take advantage of the reset New Year’s brings, make resolutions or goals that are kind and achievable to set yourself up for success.
Do what feels natural and thrilling to you, too. Use an app on your phone or express yourself with gorgeous bullet journal designs to outline and work toward your dreams.
6. Daydream or Escape Into a New World
Escapism is a delightful distraction, primarily if you experience seasonal affective disorder. Drawing the curtains and staring at the glittering snow while daydreaming is a simple yet impactful way to practice self-care. Additionally, you could dive into new worlds through media. Pick up a novel, video game, TV show, podcast or movie to travel worldwide and into magical places while staying warm.
7. Alleviate Financial Stress
Winter is a financially challenging time for many. Around 29% of people who make less than $50,000 a year feel stressed about shopping. It tarnishes the season’s beauty by worrying for several months when you should feel joyful and eager. Here are a few ways to minimize money concerns so you can relish in the gift-giving experience:
- Make a short list of everyone you want to get gifts for, and only get gifts for additional people if they give you something.
- Put everything you want to buy in your carts before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. When those holidays hit, you can know if you’re getting the best deal.
- Make homemade or edible gifts for your loved ones this year instead of buying expensive tech or clothing.
- Provide services instead of spending money, like offering to babysit or clean someone’s kitchen for free.
- Thrift holiday gifts to be more eco-friendly.
8. Make a “Warmth” Bucket List
Winter self-care should include finding ways to stay warm. There are countless suggestions, so why not make self-care gamified by creating a warmth-themed bucket list? Here are some ideas:
- Make a point to give hugs to loved ones or pets every day of winter.
- Have a spa day where you visit a hot tub or sauna.
- Take a bubble bath surrounded by candles.
- Enhance the hot drink experience by trying many types of your favorite comfort beverage. Consider making at-home flights of hot chocolate, coffee, tea or cider.
- See your closet with fresh eyes by seeing how many layers you can use to craft cute, new winter outfits.
- Grab all of the blankets you own and make the warmest blanket fortress of your childhood dreams.
- Make your own homemade mulled wine.
Self-Care When It’s Cold Outside – How to Practice Self-Care This Time of Year
Wintertime self-care activities don’t have to involve breaking the bank or following what everyone else does online. Do what feels coziest to you and your lifestyle, and you will easily make it to spring feeling refreshed and inspired.