winter self-care + wellness for the type b girl
if you’re struggling to enjoy enjoy winter, you are not alone!! the darkness, stir-craziness, extra effort to leave the house (especially if you have kids) can leave you feeling extra low motivation. If you are someone who doesn’t naturally thrive during this season, it can feel like you are just in survival mode all the time.
My hope is that despite not naturally *loving* this time of year, that we can still chose intention + to show up for ourselves even if it is a little bit lower effort than our usual.
This post is part of my winter wellness series, and today we’re talking about routines, habits & my fave products that can support you through the season, especially if you’re a Type B girl who needs things to feel easy & accessible!!
IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST WINTER SURVIVAL POST CLICK HERE
The Winter Wellness Categories
Here is the breakdown of what we will go through today:
1) Winter Vibes
2) Drinks + Hydration
3) Approachable Movement
4) Mom Life in Winter
5) Favourite Winter Products
Let’s get into it.
1) Winter Vibes: Romanticize the Season
If you spend the whole season focusing on how much you hate it, it is inevitable that you will not be able to see any joy in it. For me, winter gets easier when I commit to the cozy vibes and lean into the things that I don’t normally do in the spring / summer:
Swap the Big Light for Cozy Lighting
Overhead lights are only for cleaning!!! This rule carries all year long in my house, but especially in the winter when it gets dark early. Soft lamps and warm lighting instantly make the house feel calmer and more inviting!
Stockpile Taper Candles
Taper candles are my favourite for winter. They feel elevated without needing a strong scent, and they’re beautiful on a dinner table or in a window.
I buy them in bulk so I don’t feel like I need to save them. We are using the nice things.
Use a Diffuser for Winter Mood Support
Diffusers are such an underrated winter wellness tool. I love using citrus scents during the day because they feel energizing & so fresh.
If you want to avoid the MLM essential oil world, I personally like Saje Wellness (Canada-based) and Revive Oils.
TRY REVIVE ESSENTIAL OILS (non mlm, great pricing + scents!)
Habit Stacking Your Cozy Rituals
If you’re low-motivation in winter, the goal is to reduce friction. You know I love a habit stack!!!
Some of my habit stacks:
- Turn on the diffuser when you unload the dishwasher
- Light candles when you start dinner
- Keep a carafe of water by your diffuser so you don’t have to unplug it + carry it over to the sink!
2) Drinks + Hydration: Turn Everyday Beverages Into Self-Care
If you’re a fellow beverage girl, this is your section! I personally love a massive water bottle with a straw, ice water and lemon and try to make it part of my self care for the day.
Turning making a drink into a moment
Everyday I truly look forward to my morning coffee (usually made by Levi) and then taking the time in the afternoon to make myself another fun drink from my drink station:
Create a Kitchen Drink Station
I personally dedicated a drawer to my all fun drinks, and it has been giving me so much life. I live far from a starbucks / cafe so I really have to romanticize my at home options.
My drink station has:
- all my electrolyte packs
- matcha
- teas (i like a mix of bagged / loose leaf)
- a bunch of glass straws
3) Winter Movement: Cozy Cardio, Dance Breaks, and Doable Routines
As a girly who loves hot girl walks, and getting my steps in being outside, winter can feel hard to want to move my body. I always need to remind myself that it is okay if movement looks different in this slower season!
Try Cozy Cardio
If you haven’t seen cozy cardio content, highly reccomend stalking Hope’s tiktok page. Dim cozy lighting, candles, a show on in the background, walking pad vibes. If you aren’t a gym girly, this might be the answer for you!
Use YouTube Workouts
Grow With Jo is a favourite because it’s easily accessible & low pressure. It’s also great if you have kids around because it is easy enough for them to copy you!
Dance in the Kitchen as a Mood Reset
When the afternoon starts feeling hard, I’ll put on a playlist and just move around the kitchen with my toddler. As cheesy as it is, it helps to reminds me it’s not a bad life, it’s just a hard afternoon!!
4) Mom Life in Winter
Winter can be hard with kids! Staying in the house more leaves everyone stir crazy, and leaving the house is also a lot more effort with snow gear, boots + carseats. Instead of trying to force winter to feel like summer, I try to lean into winter-friendly activities.
Make Bath Time a Cozy Ritual
My sister in law got me onto doing candlelit baths and they are so calming and nice. Turn off the bathroom lights, light candles, play soft instrumental music. Sometimes I sit on the floor and read while Theodore plays and it is a good reset for both of us
Lean Into Indoor Activities You Don’t Do as Much in Summer
A few winter favourites:
- Forts in the living room
- Building and climbing toys like a play couch (we just got the Kiddie couch + love it!)
- Story projector for screen-free quiet time
- Craft supplies and colouring activities
Hot Chocolate Break
We love to make hot chocolate or babychinos in the afternoon as a way to break up the afternoon! We both love it.
Winter Self-Care Must-Have Products
These are the things that genuinely support me through the season.
A Printed “Menu” of Things To Do
Having a visible list of winter self-care ideas helps so much!
Brown Noise
Brown noise is softer than white noise and feels so comforting in the evenings, especially for reading or work sessions. Just look up “brown noise playlist” on spotify!
Self-Tanner
I love the glow of being a little sun-kissed even when I haven’t seen the sun in weeks lol. Salty Face is my go-to (also great for sensitive, eczema-prone skin).
TRY SALTY FACE
Heavy Moisturizer
Winter dry skin is real. I love Aquaphor and the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for thick, protective moisture. PLS let me know if you have any other recs, I am always looking to try new ones!
Kindle + Red Light Wind Down
My favourite nighttime combo is moisturizer, red light, ice water, and reading on my Kindle. Truly nothing better!
Diffuser + Uplifting Oils
Citrus blends in the day, cozy scents at night! Again, I highly recommend liquid sunshine or anything from revive!
Sunrise Alarm Clock
Waking up to gradual light in winter helps so much, especially when mornings feel dark and heavy.
Brick
If winter makes you want to doom scroll, you need a brick!
A Good At-Home Drink Setup
This is one of the biggest things that makes winter feel more enjoyable day-to-day! I have a full round up of my favourite drinks here!
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Love Winter to Make the Most of it
Winter might not be your favourite season. It’s not always mine either, but you can still make the most of it!
If you’re in a season where you’re just trying to keep showing up for yourself and your kids, you’re not behind. You’re not failing! Spring will come soon
If this resonated, I’d love to hear what’s helping you get through the season too. Save this post for the next grey day when you need a reminder that you can make winter feel a little softer.
Watch the full youtube video here:
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