My Favorite Winter Self-Care Rituals

Self-care is vital to our health and well-being. This is especially important during winter when days are shorter and there is often very little (or no) sunshine. Holidays can also cause us to forget about self-care. Long days/nights spent cooking, cleaning and traveling can take it’s toll. Remember to take some time to yourself and relax a little too. It’s hard to care for others if your energy is spent.

Meditation

Once the holidays have passed, it’s really easy to get into a slump. There’s not much to look forward to for several months. We start dreaming of warm beaches and endless sunshine (just me?). Negative thoughts start creeping in as we complain about the cold and lack of sunlight. Meditation is powerful, and it’s something you can do anywhere for as little as ten minutes. There are tons of videos on YouTube and apps such as Headspace or Calm that can help guide you.

According to a neuroscientist from the University of Wisconsin, Richard Davidson, Matthieu Ricard is the happiest man in the world. Matthieu says, thinking happy thoughts for 10-15 minutes a day can have positive mental results after just two weeks. He’s written several books, including this one, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill. Definitely worth the read.

Tea Blends

A hot cup of tea when it’s freezing outside is a great way to de-stress. I’ve really been loving thyme tea lately. It sounds odd (or it did to me at first), but the flavor just explodes when mixed with lemon and hot water. I don’t even need a sweetener with it. It’s wonderful all on its own. Place a couple of fresh sprigs of thyme, about 1/2 tsp lemon and sweetener (I’d recommend trying it without first though) in hot water. I leave the sprigs in the whole time I’m drinking the tea, but you can remove them after 5-7 minutes if you wish.

Spending time with friends and family can really help lift your spirits during cold winters. Invite some friends or family over for a tea night. Make it a weekly/monthly thing. Have everyone bring their favorites to share. Or try creating your own blends together. Kids would love this too, just set up a “tea party” at a smaller table for them.

Other teas to try:

• Mocha Mint Yerba Maté (My favorite)
• Chai (Fun fact* – ‘chai’ means tea)
• Tiesta Tea – Immunity – Maui Mango (I picked this up on a whim and it is perfect)

Read

There’s nothing like snuggling up in a warm blanket with a good book. Of course, some of us may not be able to fit this into our schedule, but that’s why we are practicing self-care, right? If you don’t have time for a long read, find something short to read instead. Try listening to an audiobook while commuting or taking a shower.

If you have kids, encourage them to read their own books while you read yours. Ask them questions about their book so they feel encouraged to keep reading. You could also offer to buy them another book if they read X number of books.

Salon & Spa

This is a big indulgence for me, but I like to splurge every now and then. When we’re constantly doing things for others, it’s nice to get a new haircut or treat ourselves to a massage. A massage is a great way to ease stress and clear our minds for a little while. Take a day off from worrying about planning a family gathering or stressing over shopping lists. You’ll get back to the hustle and bustle, recharged and ready to go.

You may also like this post: Quick and Easy Facial Routine You Can Do At Home

Aromatherapy

This is hands down my favorite self-care routine. I love using a diffuser to scent the room naturally. There are so many essential oils to help uplift your mood and heal your mind. A couple of my favorites are geranium and tangerine. These are perfect for dreary winter days and they smell amazing.

If you are traveling this winter, you can also take a car diffuser or a personal aromatherapy inhaler with you. These are great if you suffer from motion sickness in the car or feel stressed.