During the colder months, look after yourself with these self-care ideas.
Who else thinks that time has gone by so fast? 2020 is a mad mess, but even with the lockdowns and normal life stopping for months on end, it still went by super fast in my opinion. We blinked and now the days are colder, darker and we’re almost there… Anyone else here affected by seasonal changes and the lack of light? I can’t be the only one here. And while this year has been hard on us, it’s our duty to ourselves to keep up with our self-care game, and make sure we feel happy, comforted, and safe. This blog post is all about the cosy self-care vibes! Read on to find out the five self-care tips you can try this winter for the ultimate feel-good day at home!
🧘 Start the day by doing a five-minute stretching session in bed.
Okay, not everyone is into yoga and stretching and all that stuff… But trust me, it does make a difference! I don’t know anyone who has tried stretching gently in the mornings and/or evenings, and not felt good outcomes in the long run. Stretching your body helps you wake up the muscles in the morning, provides you with a gentle massage, and allows you to focus your thoughts wherever you need them to be that day. Put calming music on, follow along a stretching video (there are plenty on YouTube – links below with my favourites) and during this relaxing time, you can mentally organise your day, figure out what you will have for breakfast, recite to yourself positive affirmations to be in a good and healthy mindset for the day… Much better than hitting ‘snooze’ five times and getting up in haste. If you don’t know what stretching/yoga videos to follow, here are a few you should check out:
Gentle morning yoga for beginners with BrettLarkinYoga
11-minute morning yoga practice with Adriene
10min morning stretches in bed with Kassandra
15min pilates-style stretches with Katja
✍️ When you get up, leave your phone away and do something calming.
After your yoga or stretching session, try to stay away from your phone and TV. Texts, social media and the news can wait a little longer! Some of my favourite activities to do in the morning to start without stress are: colouring (there are many wonderful adult colouring books in the shops these days!), journaling, reading a book while having breakfast… If you don’t enjoy the silence, you can of course put some music on to energise you. Extend this quiet time as long as you can – or want – for the perfect calming morning.
📚 Instead of looking at social media during your work down time, pick up a book.
As someone who is always on her phone, I sometimes feel burnt out after I’ve been on it for so long. My eyes sting, my mind goes to a hundred places at the same time, and I simply can’t focus on anything anymore. This is why I have thought of this particular self-care trick: when you’re taking a break from your to-do list, or when you have some down time, stay away from your phone as much as you can. Instead, pick up a book that you love or one that’s been on your reading list since forever, and read throughout the day. It’s ok if it’s only two or three pages at a time! It could last you the same time as a “social media break”, but trust me it is so much better for your mental health, relaxation, and focus. If you struggle to read in general, have a look at this blog post I wrote – full of tips to help you read more every day!
🌲 Go for a nature walk and observe the world around you.
If you feel like you’ve been stuck inside for too long, it’s time for a nature walk! I am lucky to live near a huge park complete with lakes, woods, and cute animals. Whenever I go there for a walk or a bike ride, it just makes my day! Although the days are shorter now, it makes the sunny winter days even more special. And when the sky is blue outside and the sun is shining, there’s only one thing to do: put on a jumper, boots, and get outside and walking!
☕📽️🕯️ Indulge in the winter clichés: have a hot drink, light some candles, watch seasonal movies!
In my opinion, clichés are not always bad. There’s a reason why they become so popular and overdone in the first place! In autumn and winter, I like to indulge in the clichés because they are often comforting, bring me a lot of happiness and a feeling of safety. Some of the best winter clichés are: hot chocolates (here’s a great recipe to try!), scented candles, fluffy socks, watching seasonal films on Netflix, pick pine cones and chestnuts in the forest… All these are simply good for the soul, and chances are many other people will love them too – more chances to connect with others by doing these things we all love!
Want more inspiration? Read this post to spend the perfect cosy day at home!
