Winter Self Care Tips

The long, dark nights and freezing cold days of winter make me yearn to curl up in my bed and stay there until spring! If it wasn’t for the fact the kiddos would get cabin fever {and possibly I would too} I’d actually consider just not leaving the house for a few month from now. I can get everything that I need delivered {thank you internet shopping} and getting cold and wet holds no appeal for me. I think that I either need to hibernate or emigrate!

Right now, unfortunately, neither of those are a valid option. So I have to grin and bear this awful weather. The lack of daylight plays havoc on my mental health, and I am counting down the days to spring.

Adding in some extra self-care time and making my house extra cosy makes these dark, cold months a little more bearable. As long as I’m warm and cosy, and I have a few essentials then winter becomes a little more manageble.

These are my top seven essentials to get through the winter months without losing my sanity {mcuh}:

Yoga

Cold winter days always leave me feeling a little sluggish and lacking energy, especially first thing. Getting out of bed whilst it’s still dark outside makes it hard to find my get up & go. I try and do a yoga class first thing, especially one that is designed to increase your energy {I love this one for mornings I don’t have much time}. It makes a huge difference to how I feel – not only does it give me a much needed energy boost first thing, it puts me in a really good frame of mind for the day.

Hot Baths

I almost turn into a mermaid through the winter. I think if I could stay in the bath all day I would! A good big handful of Epsom Salts*, a few drops of essential oils, as many candles as I can find and either a book or a show on Netflix – ingredients for my perfect evening. The best way to warm up, but also a great way to relax and unwind.

Fairy lights and Candles

Beat the dark evenings and fill your house with the warm glow of candles and fairy lights. Come winter, we have candles on our dining room table and fairy lights around the kitchen window, making evening meal times feel cosy and special. In the evening, we like to cosy up in the living room altogether – we switch the bright overhead light for a collection of table lamps, fairy lights and candles. As we no longer have a working fire, I fill the space in front of our fireplace with lots of candles in Moroccan lanterns. The soft light makes it feel warm and cosy and makes evenings feel special rather than just dark and long.

Cosy Blankets

I don’t think you can ever have too many blankets {which is my my airing cupbaord is overflowing}, but when it gets cold, having a big pile of fleece and wool blankets is the perfect way to make your living room look warmer and cosier, but also to actually keep you warm. There’s nothing quite like snuggling under a blanket, wathcing a movie whilst the rain pours down outside.

Sunrise Alarm Clock

I have a Lumie Bodyclock alarm clocks, and have been surprised at what a difference it makes. The light gradually brightens over the half an hour before you set the alarm for, meaning you wake up more naturally. I don’t feel so groggy when I wake up, and it’s certainly nicer than a beeping alarm clock!

Essential Oils

Essential Oils are a great way to make your house smell lovely AND make you feel good. Through the winter I love to fill my diffuser with Wild Orange – it’s fantastic for revitalising and uplifting your mood, I’ll sometimes add a few drops of lemon in too. Come the evening I switch it up for a mix of lavender and cedarwood to make me feel sleepy and ready for bed {works wonders on the kiddos too!}

Go for a walk

This one does actually mean leaving my warm, cosy house and venutring out in the cold. BUT. Fresh air and some exercise will make you feel good. Pick a day when it’s dry, one of those sunny, crisp winter days. Wrap up warm {this is the time for twenty layers AND extra socks}. Get oudoors, maybe head to the woods or for a winter walk along the beach. Enjoy the crisp air, soak up some sunlight and when you get back home you’ll really really enjoy your cosy house!