Is winter driving you crazy? Not enough daylight, cold hands and feet, and yet another snow storm. You know that you need to take care of yourself and you’re just not finding the time to do it. Here are 4 best winter self-care tips that you can easily do and squeeze into your hectic schedule to get some much needed “me” time.

Why is self-care needed even more in winter months?

Self-care means identifying and taking care of your needs. Those needs can vary according to the season. When it’s sunny and warm, it’s easy to go outside and take a walk. Self-care is even more important in the winter months. When it’s cold and cloudy, most of us want to snuggle under the covers, and stay inside. Only the hardy few, want to venture outside and imbibe wintry mix.

Weather can definitely affect our mood! When it’s sunny notice how you feel in your body. Conversely, the cold and dark often dampens our mood. I think that SAD or seasonally affective disorder affects many more people in the winter months than we think. The closer we get to spring the more frustrated we can become, as winter seems to drag on.

As you read the 4 best winter self-care tips, figure out which tips resonate most and then put them into action. 

Best winter Self-care tips

1. Improve your mood and productivity by slowing down.

If you hear yourself saying, “what” then this tip may be your savior. Slowing down means you can take time to think about what you’re doing. If you’re flitting from one thing to the next at hyper speed, then winter often doesn’t allow that. Think of our ancestors. Winter was a time for hibernation. We were active during daylight hours and then slept once darkness hit.  How can you build in a slower pace, which may actually result in greater productivity?

• You could take 10 minutes to breathe or meditate and calm your system.
• Build in reading breaks to surf the net on your favorite subjects. You may even come across a brilliant idea.
• Schedule more time to complete a task than usual, and appreciate what transpires.
• Stay at home in the evenings and create a nutritious home cooked meal.
• Catch up on reading those books that you have by your bed under a warm blanket.
• If you love the outdoors, rug up and take a wintry wonderland walk.

2. Drink warm drinks, Eat cooked foods.

Don’t get me wrong, I love salad. As you listen to your body, winter is the time for warming drinks and foods that comfort you. Hot oatmeal, soups, seasonal root vegetables to create tasty stews, lots of crucifers such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli that have anti-cancer qualities.

Take time in your kitchen and enjoy baking with your kids, or discovering some healthy alternatives such as fermented foods.

I find that I am drawn more to hot drinks in the winter months. You can still get in lots of hydrating fluids. Go light on the caffeinated beverages and sweetened drinks such as hot chocolate. Choose herbal as well as black or green tea. Hot water with lemon is a great alternative to cold water.

3. Resist the temptation to stop exercising

So many of us find that during the winter as we hibernate, we may put on a few extra pounds. Hey, in olden times we needed that extra fat to see us through the winter. So what is going to get you to exercise in the cold winter months? Put on your warm, fluffy coat and go to the local gym and take a new workout class. Then put it in your schedule and your body will thank you.

Since icy roads and cold mornings are not conducive to walking or jogging outside, create a workout that you enjoy at home. To motivate you, invite a friend to join in. It’s amazing how consistent you become when you are accountable to someone else other than just you.

4. Embrace the concept of hygge, pronounced HYU-gah

According to the United Nations, Denmark is the happiest nation on earth. This may seem strange as winters are extremely long, and it’s dark by 4pm for months. Yet, the Danes embrace the concept of hygge, loosely translated as coziness, conviviality, togetherness and wellbeing. Hygge applies to both the sense of coziness we get with people we like and with activities we enjoy.

How can you bring more family, friends and festivity into your days? Of course you get to define who is family, particularly when so many of us find our families stress us out. Spend time with people you love. Consider having a potluck meal to share the effort. You can also talk to a friend with whom you haven’t spoken in ages, via facetime, skype or phone.

Other cozy winter self-care activities can include:

• Cranking up the radio or playing your favorite music while you dance, move or do some housework. You could even boogie while you clean out that closet that’s been on your list for ages. Music can really help.
• Take a break, and get some fresh air while you go for a delightful winter walk.
• Watching a holiday movie or binge on a current series on TV.
• Driving around your neighborhood and see the Christmas lights.
• Reveling in a bubble bath filled with your favorite oils.

Next steps

Put a couple of the best winter self-care tips into action and feel the difference.

You can also take the stressed out solutions quiz and discover how you can better take care of yourself.