Winter can be tough. The cold can add an extra layer of exhaustion and the lack of daylight has a tendency to affect our mood and immunity. It’s so important at any time of year to have a routine that helps you not only feel and stay healthy, but also gets you excited to start the day. That routine doesn’t have to be the same one you do all year round. Routines shift and change naturally, especially with the seasons.
My self-care and well-being routines have evolved over the years. There are some things that remain constant (like my sleep habits) and others that are phased out for the season (like being able to take nightly walks after dinner since I don’t love doing that in the cold/dark).
As the seasons change so does what my body needs and craves. In summer, I spend as much time outside as possible. In winter, things are slower and more mindful. The foods I eat to nourish my body changes with the season, too. It’s time for soups, stews, and warm ingredients.
Here are some of my specific winter wellness routines and activities —
MY MORNING
In the winter, my day starts much slower than they do in summer. Now, I do have three rowdy boys to get up and ready for school but luckily they are extremely self-sufficient and wake up so early that we have plenty of time to get them dressed, fed and out the door. In the winter, it’s dark and cold out so I ease out of bed pretty slowly. I immediately drink 8oz of water that I’ve put by my bedside and head downstairs to make my coffee. My workouts in winter are pretty consistent with what I do in summer but I spend more time on my treadmill than I do outside. As long as my husband isn’t occupying the gym, I will hop on the treadmill for an incline/weighted walk while I scroll and sip coffee. It’s pretty gentle on my body but it’s what I crave this time of year. After my walk, I’ll lift weights, do some strength exercises, or core work and I’m done. Gentle yet effective and sets my mood for a productive and positive day. If there’s time, I’ll hop in the sauna right after a workout but sometimes I can’t make that happen so I save it for the end of the day to wind down before bed.
WINTER FOODS
My meals and the ingredients I choose change with the seasons, too. I’m reaching for more root vegetables and making roasts in the crock pot. My husband is from the Midwest, after all, so he loves nothing more than corned beef and cabbage with all the seasonal veggies. Also, there’s nothing quite like a hearty chili on football Sunday. I’ll make a large batch and freeze it for easy weeknight meals for my boys before their sporting activities. My body craves sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts in my salads for lunch and complex carbs and veggies for dinner.
SKINCARE
My skin becomes so try and irritated in the winter if I’m not nourishing it properly. I cycle in much heavier moisturizers than I typically would during the summer and use it both during the morning or night time routines. I have a few favorites that all work like magic:
IMMUNITY
Now is the time to get your vitamin D out. Most of us, even those who live in sunny climates, are vitamin D deficient and we need to supplement. I take 5,000 IU daily all year round but I am RELIGIOUS with it in the winter due to lack of sunlight in Seattle. For the most part, I have eliminated supplements in my diet and get those nutrients from actual food but vitamin D is something everyone needs. Knock on wood but I haven’t been sick in months even as my kids have come down with fevers and runny noses so finding nourishment through food seems to be working + my vitamin D supp.
EVENING RITUAL
I wrote all about my night routine in this post and for the most part, all of that remains constant. It starts to get dark around 4 pm with daylight savings and I feel the need to wrap up and hibernate. Hard to do with three busy boys and sports schedules but when we are home at a normal hour, the fire goes on, candles get lit, overhead lighting is turned off and we CHILL (as chill as it can be lol). I go to bed pretty early but in the winter, I find myself in bed even earlier because it’s just what I crave. After dinner, it’s a sauna or hot tub or bubble bath and everyone’s tucked in before 8. I allow my kids to read and wind down in their rooms and I do the same. Magnesium tea + a book allows for the most restful sleep.
How does your routine change with the colder months? Leave a comment 🙂
xx, Heather
