The change in season brings with it colder weather and less daylight, and sometimes this brings in an imbalance in our well-being and general mood. It’s long been known that the winter months test our mental health and well-being, with conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder being recognized and known to be more common, at this time of year.

The importance of self-care during winter:

During colder and darker days, our mood can dip as we feel less inclined to socialize, leave the house and connect with friends and family. Furthermore, it can be even more difficult to find the motivation to exercise and travel, which are both activities that usually boost an individual’s well-being. If not regulated and managed, these factors can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and helplessness, which is why it’s so important to focus on self-care and nurturing your health and well-being during this time of year.

Treat yourself

Show yourself some love with a nourishing, hearty winter meal. A new season is a great excuse to discover seasonal ingredients and try out some new recipes. Not only will this engage your body and mind, but it gives you a reason to enjoy spending time on your own. If cooking isn’t your thing, invest in self-love by treating yourself to a delicious takeaway of your choice, your favourite chocolate, or a bunch of flowers.

Make the most of the light

With seemingly shorter days due to darker evenings, many of us feel like we have less time during the winter months, especially in the week when we are trying to fit in work, a social life, and other responsibilities in our lives. In relation to people living with Seasonal Affective Disorder, studies have shown that they have difficulty regulating the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which is believed to be responsible for balancing mood. In fact, natural light is often prescribed as part of the overall treatment for patients living with this disorder. Therefore, do what you can to make the most of natural light - if getting out in the fresh air before and after work isn’t an option for you, ensure you open up curtains, blinds, and windows around your home or workplace to help boost your mood.

Prioritise your plans

With our mood and motivation lacking in the winter, it’s important to find the right balance between getting out and about and having slower days at home. It’s not necessarily helpful to spend so much time indoors that you start to feel isolated. Consider how you can prioritize your social plans and make sure you are only committing to activities that will bring you joy, rather than simply filling a gap in your diary.  

Take care of your physical self

Self-care in well-being is often thought of as taking care of our minds, however, it’s important to show our bodies some love too. Try to take some time to invest in a good skincare routine, some exercise, and some healthy meals.

Manage your time spent on digital devices

It can be tempting to use our phones as a way to stay connected during winter months, particularly if we are perhaps not seeing friends and family as much. While our phones and laptops are a great way to keep in touch, they can also end up becoming a source of stress; therefore it’s important to try to ensure a balance between staying connected and spending time away from your digital devices.

Surround yourself with small pleasures

Whether it’s lighting a candle, pulling a blanket over you in the evenings, having a hot drink, listening to a curated playlist, or reading a book of your choice; enjoying small pleasures is a simple way to boost your well-being.

Embracing the small acts of self-care can help you to connect to the moment, and feel more present, and self-aware.