33 Winter Self-Care Ideas Nourish Your Mind, Body & Soul

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many of us find ourselves retreating indoors and facing the unique challenges that winter brings.

Self-care, often described as the practice of taking deliberate actions to maintain and improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, becomes especially important during this season.

For some, winter can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in seasons that can cause feelings of fatigue, sadness, and low motivation. Understanding self-care in this context means recognizing the need to nurture ourselves intentionally to combat these seasonal shifts and maintain balance.

If cold weather gets you down and depressed, it’s essential to practice winter self-care to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

This post will share a lot of winter self-care tips to help improve your mood, spirit and health during the colder months.

What is Self Care?

Self-care aims to maintain a strong bond with your body, mind, and soul. It is known to reduce stress, anxiety and boost self-esteem. Although often confused with self-indulgence, self-care only leads to positive outcomes.

It can offer you better work productivity, healthy relationships and a happy lifestyle. Self-care provides you with the tools you need for self-improvement… which is most vital during the winter months.

Self-care is especially important if you’re struggling to find balance in your life. For self-care to work in the long run, you have to know what’s important to you. Watch the video about the Four Burners Theory to give you an idea on how to get started.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is an actual condition that affects 10 million Americans per year. The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, also known as the winter blues, are similar to clinical depression.

Although the cause for winter blues is unknown, we do know it appears during the winter months. Therefore it is imperative to stick to a self-care routine during this time.

While many activities are off-limits during the winter months due to weather conditions, holiday events and being in a funk… it doesn’t mean you still can’t engage in self-care with a little preparation to ward off those blues! Here are a 25 ways to practice self-care during the winter months.

Winter Self Care Ideas to Thrive During the Cold Months

1. Prep for the Holidays

Winter offers some of the best holidays and brings families together. That being said… decorating, gifting, and traveling can be stressful.

So, plan for the upcoming holiday hoopla. Make a checklist and follow it to prepare for the festivities, ensuring a stress-free holiday and more time enjoying those you love.

2. Practice Warm Food Cooking in Cold Months

Like having Ice-pops and refreshing cool drinks are keys to summer fun, so can some nice warm foods really tip the scales and make you happier in the cold shorter days of winter.

Hot soups and stews, with many hearty vegetables can be great for this time of year. Also important can be cooking foods that help your vitamin D levels. Creating a balanced diet with lots of fish, eggs, mushrooms, whole grains and milk can help counteract some of the lack of sunlight.

3. Get More Natural Light

Getting enough natural light is essential for maintaining your physical well-being during the winter months, especially when shorter days and gloomy weather can leave you feeling sluggish or down.

While going outside might not always feel appealing in the cold, even short trips outdoors can provide a valuable boost of fresh air and natural sunlight, helping to regulate your mood and energy levels.

Incorporating a quick trip outdoors into your routine is one of the most practical self-care tips you can follow to combat the effects of seasonal changes and support both your mental and physical health. Just taking just a few minutes each day to step outside can make a meaningful difference in how you feel throughout the season.

4. Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling is a powerful form of self-care during the winter months, helping to shift your focus from the cold and darkness to the positive aspects of your life.

Taking just a few moments each day to write down things you’re thankful for can boost your mood, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of warmth and contentment. This simple practice encourages mindfulness and can be a comforting ritual that brightens even the gloomiest winter days.

See more posts to learn more about gratitude as a form of self care during winter:

5. Find a Sanctuary

Sometimes it’s best to get away from it all. Some people do not have the luxury of their own private room. Try to find a warm and safe place to relax. That area can be inside your car with the heater blasting, in a furnished attic, or at a friend’s house. Or the library.

Either way, a separation between everyday activities and tasks brings new perspectives to your life. Find a place where you can relax.

6. Take up Baking

Baking is not always easy; however, the oven can keep you warm, even if the recipe doesn’t go well. Baking is a great way to practice following directions and build self-esteem.

When a recipe is baked perfectly, you have achieved a great goal for your mental health. The best part is you get to enjoy the delicious warm food.

And cookies. Never forget cookies. They are a key part of my winter self-care plan!

7. It’s Cold, So Stay Warm

The cold can be unforgiving, but it is also fun. Get a bunch of blankets, a portable heater, a hot beverage or glass of wine and relaxation on the couch.

It’s incredibly comforting for the body and mind to relax in a nice blanket. The only downside is having to get out of the pocket of warmth you created. This sort of fun can almost make the cold days turn into a winter staycation.

8. Make Peace with Winter

Unlike spring, which brings life, winter exudes the opposite. The leaves have fallen off the trees, and the animals are at rest until spring arrives. However, there is still beauty in the season.

It’s a time for reflection and appreciation for a new start and perhaps the start of a time to make the best version of yourself with some personal growth.

Check out this list of ideas for new skills to learn for 2026.

9. Adopt a Plant

Plants tend to wilt during the winter. Adopt a plant and let it live inside your home. The responsibility of taking care of a plant relieves stress from your own life. It allows you to appreciate the world around you while simultaneously taking care of something outside yourself.

Also, plants are beautiful to look at and may even bring a lovely fragrance to the home.  They are also a great source of oxygen. Take deep breaths and enjoy your new companion.

10. Practice Yoga, Deep Breathing or Meditation

 Practicing yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation can significantly enhance your overall well-being by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Incorporating these mindful practices into your daily routines helps improve mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical flexibility.

Making time for these activities each day is a practical self-care strategy to stay grounded and resilient, especially during the challenging winter months.

11. Indoor Walking Routines

Indoor walking routines offer a great source of inspiration to stay active and healthy during the shorter daylight hours of winter. Spending time moving indoors helps maintain physical fitness and boosts your mood when outdoor walks may not be appealing or feasible.

This simple practice ensures you continue to benefit from regular physical activity, even when daylight is limited.

12. Set Goals for Next Year

Winter is the perfect time to make a list of everything you want to achieve in the coming year. It can be as simple as appreciating friends and family more, or starting a diet and exercise program.

The goals should reflect what you want to commit to improving within yourself and your life next year. This helps promote self-improvement and keep your mind on new horizons. Here is an excellent resource to set SMART goals.

13. Winter Fashion Show

Take all your winter clothes from your closet and spread them on the bed. Mix and match articles of clothing you’ve never worn together before. Then, put on a winter fashion show for yourself or your husband (wink).

The activity helps boost confidence and reimagine your winter clothes. Who needs a shopping spree when you have outfits waiting to be discovered right at home?

14. Watch Your Favorite Holiday Movies

Holiday movies bring joy and often fond memories of childhood. Most holiday films pull at the heartstrings and have good moral values at the end.

Holiday movies elevate the holiday spirit and let us appreciate the winter months. Stream your favorite holiday movie and let the nostalgia take over.

15. Daily Affirmations

Affirmations are a great form of behavioral therapy. Repetition of words and the belief in those words are powerful. It boosts motivation and self-esteem to say words to oneself that are compelling.

Pick an affirmation that you enjoy and repeat to yourself whenever you feel depressed. Here are some great affirmations for people who struggle with depression.

16. Avoid Unpleasant Conversations

Nothing is more important than family. However, it’s fair to say that some family members can be toxic.

If there is a family member that you don’t want to see during the winter months for whatever reason, you have the right not to. Cut out the people who make you feel bad about yourself so you can grow.

17. Winter Cleaning

A deep clean does not have to happen just during the spring. A clean home or room improves mental health through organizational practices.

Don’t just make the bed; try reorganizing your closet or change around the furniture. Put on a fresh coat of paint.  A new room can bring a new perspective on life.

18. A Hot Drink

It’s winter, so it is cold out. A hot beverage like coffee has plenty of benefits. Coffee is proven to lower rates of certain illnesses and inspire alertness! Warm herbal teas taste great and help to reduce stress, help hydration, support digestion, boosts your immune system and helps you sleep/

The cold makes our bodies tense and in addition to all the inherent benefits the hot beverage instantly allows us to unwind. If you’re not a coffee or tea drinker, hot cocoa can make a great alternatives to keep you toasty.

Note: some of these beverage have caffeine a known duiretic. Make sure you are also drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.

19. Adopt a Skin Care Routine

The winter months are not kind to the skin. The skin is prone to dry out more often because of the weather and constant heater use.

Conduct some research and find a skincare routine that is right for your skin type. The routine can be a calming method to relax before the end of a long day.

Even if you are a guy and don’t like having a “skincare routine” using a little lip balm and/or moisturizer can be a helpful self care routine during the winter months.

20. Practice CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques can be a valuable form of self-care during the winter months by helping you identify and challenge negative thought patterns that often arise with seasonal changes.

By practicing CBT strategies, such as reframing pessimistic thoughts and developing coping skills, you can better manage symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and maintain a positive mindset.

Incorporating these techniques into your daily routine empowers you to take control of your mental health and build resilience throughout the colder season.

21. Solve a Puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are a great form of entertainment and build motor functioning skills. Get a 1000 piece puzzle and see if you can finish it before the winter months are gone. Whenever you feel overwhelmed or anxious, just sit down and work on your puzzle to distract your mind from outside worries.

22. Download a Coloring Book

Coloring is a fun activity that promotes stress relief. There are many benefits of adult coloring. It doesn’t matter if you lack any artistic abilities because everyone is an artist with a coloring book, simply letting your creativity rule can act as a form of art therapy.

Here are a few ideas for free download coloring pages perfect for the winter months. These can also help keep your kids occupied, An essential winter selfcare tip:

23. Quiet Time

Sure, it may sound like something meant for a child, but adults need quiet time too! No, not with your phone… but a few minutes away on your own, distraction free.

Sit down in a quiet area like a break room at work and just breathe. It’s a great way to restart your mind and body like a battery recharge.

24. Make a List of Your Faults

This one is going to be complicated. There are things we would all like to change about ourselves. Many of us want to be good people, but have trouble because we are all human.

Make a list of all the things you would like to change about yourself. Remember, only list your faults and not your insecurities. You want to change the negative aspects of your life actively. Such as thinking more positively or embracing your loved ones more.

25. Take A Nice Warm Bath

A bath is a great way to relieve the body of built up stress. Stress lives in our muscles and bones. It affects the way we think and interact with others.

A bath is a gentle way to calm the muscles down, especially during the winter. The cold is horrible to our joints, and a bath is great to relax the muscles.

If you take your warm bath with the addition of Epsom salts, it will further help to soothe muscles and relax.

26. Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is a powerful self-care idea that can help you stay present and grounded during the winter season. By engaging in mindful thinking, you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to manage stress and cultivate calmness despite the challenges of colder, darker days.

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine supports emotional balance and enhances your overall well-being throughout winter.

Here are some posts to help you learn more about mindfulness:

27. Good Book

As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing more comforting than curling up with a good book to warm your soul.

Settling into a cozy nook with a soft blanket and your favorite hot drink can transform reading into a peaceful, restorative ritual. This simple act of slowing down allows you to escape the hustle and embrace mindfulness, making self-care feel effortless and deeply nourishing.

28. Video Chats

When the winter months keep us physically apart, video chats offer a wonderful way to stay connected with loved ones and lift our spirits. Scheduling regular virtual catch-ups can bring warmth and laughter into your day, helping to combat feelings of isolation.

These moments of shared conversation remind us that even from a distance, we’re never truly alone during the cold season.

29. Listen to Podcasts

Listening to podcasts during winter is a fantastic way to combine relaxation with personal growth, offering endless opportunities for learning and self-improvement. Whether you’re diving into educational topics or simply enjoying entertaining stories, podcasts provide a perfect balance of fun and enrichment.

Stay tuned below, as we’ll be sharing some of our favorite podcast resources to help you make the most of your winter self-care routine.

30. Practice Hygge

Hygge is a Danish concept that embraces coziness, comfort, and simple pleasures to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. We know it is very cold in Denmark, so they must be onto something if they embrace this self-care philosophy in their ice cold winter months.

Hygge is often practiced by lighting candles, snuggling under soft blankets, and savoring quiet moments with loved ones or a good book. These are all offered elsewhere on the page. But Hygge is much more than that. Learn more about the concept of Hygge and how it may be a key to happiness.

31. Start a Journal

Journals are an excellent form of therapy and self-reflection. Do you have a voice inside your head that refuses to stay quiet as you fall asleep?

Try to write in a journal right before bed about anything you wish. A journal improves mindfulness and lowers stress. To help get started, check out this guide that helps you begin a journaling habit!

32. Join a Hobby Group

Joining a good hobby group during winter can provide valuable social connection, helping to combat feelings of seasonal depression.

Participating in regular social events with like-minded people not only keeps you engaged but also boosts your mood and sense of belonging. Embracing a shared interest offers a positive outlet that enriches your self-care routine throughout the colder months.

Hobbies are a great way to get out and improve your contentment. Check out some of our hobby roundups to get ideas for what hobby might be right for you.

33. Reward Yourself

Unfortunately, a lot of people do not take the time to appreciate other’s accomplishments… nor do we congratulate ourselves enough. If you have completed a goal, then you deserve to be celebrated!

It’s okay to spoil yourself every once and a while to promote your efficiency. Do not overindulge, but buy yourself something nice or let yourself be happy. Either are appropriate rewards.

Final Thoughts on Winter Self-Care Ideas

This list of winter self-care ideas is a great starting point to help you practice self-care and achieve your winter goals during the cold weather months. Consistency is important for personal growth, but if you miss a day, don’t be hard on yourself—self-care is about building yourself up.

Make time for yourself because you deserve it, and encourage friends to prioritize their own self-care too. Supporting others can bring happiness to both them and you.

Stay warm this winter, and remember to practice your self-care routine as much as possible!

And if you’re looking for more self-care ideas, these articles might help:

Finally, if you want to increase your happiness and life satisfaction, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what’s important.