For many the fall season has begun and started to prepare for winter. And have you noticed or not our bodies aren’t the only thing, our emotional state of mind and overall mood have that grip. These simple winter self care tips can help!

The joy of spring and the excitement of fall have disappeared and cold weather, coupled with darkness coming earlier, often brings feelings of depression and sadness with it. 

Trust me you don’t have to let this time of year get you down. Because there are ways to turn the winter frowns upside down.

The key to these mood changes is self-care. To cure for winter blues. It’s essential to practice winter self-care to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

What is self-care?

Self-care means taking care of physical, nutritional, emotional, and spiritual needs as a whole and finding time to relax and have enough sleep daily.

Eating balanced meals taking enough rest days, taking care of yourself mentally,  physically, and spiritually doing things that calm you and make you stress-free person.

Image Source – Pixabay

The concept of self-care might seem fairly straightforward – caring for yourself. However, there have been quite a few definitions that try and tie down exactly what this means.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), defines self-care as ‘the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.’ 

According to the Global Self-care Federation, “Self-care is the practice of individuals looking after their health using the knowledge and information available to them. It is a decision-making process that empowers individuals to look after their health efficiently and conveniently, in collaboration with health and social care professionals as needed.”

So, What we understood is that self-care is a universal concept that’s about making sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health. 

Why is self-care important? 

Taking care of yourself and your loved ones may seem like a basic part of everyday life. However, we often don’t give enough thought to the implications of doing so.

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that self-care plays an important role in our lives. Here are just some of the reasons that practicing self-care can help: 

• Managing stress –  A 2023 study explains more about Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and people who were more engaged in self-care reported less perceived stress and a better physical and psychological quality of life. 
• Improving your physical and mental health–  With self-care can help to boost your physical and mental well-being. It may also help prevent existing issues from getting worse.  
• Making you more aware-  Taking care of your physical and mental health can help you feel more in tune with yourself. It also helps you notice the things you struggle with and what helps make it better. This self-compassion can help you achieve goals and deal with setbacks. 
• Help to build healthy relationships – When you’re happier and healthier in yourself, you often feel more able and willing to build relationships with other people. 

If you are a busy working mom or a collage going student, self care should be your first priority. And it should be more intense when the season changes to keep you away from depression.

Winter and Self-care 

Now let me explain why winter and self-care so important. Many people find winter, in particular, a tough time. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes known as winter depression, is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern.

With shorter days, less sunlight, and colder weather, some people can feel sleepy, have a lower mood, and feel depressed. At such times, self-care becomes even more essential.  

During the pandemic many parts of the country are under tough restrictions, limiting our social connections and creating feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.

Going into December is challenging for many people, moreover, it’s the festive season that must be a period of celebrations isn’t.

Relax guys!

See, It’s important to remember that, although we’re living through unusual and difficult times, it won’t last forever. If you give yourself proper treatment through self-care, you will notice a difference in your lifestyle and mood almost immediately.

Recognizing these feelings and taking positive steps can help and you deserve to be happy during the winter months.  

Now let’s jump into self-care tips for December

10 Self-care Tips for December:  Winter Self-Care Ideas You Need To Try 

So, now we know a little more about what self-care is and why it’s so important, particularly at the moment. Let’s turn our attention to some self-care examples.

Below, I got some simple and practical ways you can look after your physical and mental health. I’m sure these self-care tips for December can help to make sure you stay healthy both mentally and physically.

1. Eat Healthy and Balanced Diet

It’s tempting to rely solely on comfort foods to get us through the colder months of the year. I don’t know for me I have extra cravings when the climate gets cool. What about you?

Another fact is that it’s holiday time, Christmas dinners, leftovers, and chocolate, and it’s easy to write off December entirely. But, a healthy and balanced diet is an essential part of self-care all year round. 

The importance of nutrition and eating well can help you stay healthy during winter and It’s good for your immune system, heart health, and even your mental well-being. 

The NHS Eatwell guide explains more about the diet we need to follow and focuses on eating lots of fiber, fresh fruit and veg, and minimizing saturated fat and sugar.

 Of course, I  still enjoy the occasional festive treat, but keep it in moderation. You also keep that in mind “moderation”.

2. Get Outside

We know that the autumn and winter seasons are gloomy, but they have their beauty and we have to get into that positive side of the season. 

So getting as much natural light as possible can help,  If you’re able to get out and about in your garden or for a walk during the day, it can help.

It can be tempting to stay indoors more than usual when things are a bit colder. I like that fresh air and sunlight can help reduce stress, make you feel more relaxed, and improve your physical health. 

Getting a bit of fresh air and daylight in your home can help.  Try to open the window a bit and sit in a well-lit room during daylight hours. I usually sit on my balcony with a hot cup of coffee just to make sure to keep warm.

3. Exercise 

Exercise reduces the risk of things like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as reducing your risk of early death. Exercise is also excellent for your mental health, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

 I make sure to do some cardio workout and it is one of the best self-care I love. Ya sweating myself keeps me so happy

There are also plenty of home workout or online exercise classes and courses that you can follow from the comfort of your own home. Getting active can help with your physical and emotional well-being. 

4. Create Mindfulness Routines

Mindfulness can help to decrease stress, boost your creativity,  improve your well-being, and memory, and help with your mental health. That is why I made it onto the list of self-care tips for December.

So how do you practice it?

Start with some simple breathing techniques,

• Try sitting somewhere quiet and comfortable where you won’t be interrupted. 
• Close your eyes and take some slow, deep breaths. 
• Focus on the sounds and sensations of air entering and exiting your lungs. 
• Acknowledge any thoughts and put them to one side, focusing instead on your breathing for just a few minutes.

Simple techniques can help to calm your mind and focus your attention. Try it so you can understand the changes in you.

5. Express Gratitude 

Gratitude is another great thing that keeps us positive and most of us are grateful for something or another in our lives.

 This simple emotion can be a powerful self-care tool.

Being grateful, whether directly to another person or written down, can reduce negative emotions and aggression, help you sleep better, enhance empathy, and improve your self-esteem.

 It helps you focus on your accomplishments and the positive aspects of your life. 

6. Reduce Your Screen Time

Limiting screen time is huge nowadays for both kids and adults. If the weather is not good we tend to be cozy in our couches along with smart TVs and smartphones. 

Oyya! Netflix time right? It’s good to watch, you should try and limit your screen time in this respect. Binge watches are too unhealthy and can leave you feeling drained and anxious, continuously refreshing the page. 

Try and have specific times at which you check the news or your social media accounts. 

Reducing your screen time in general also brings several benefits, it can help to reduce eye strain, prevent headaches, improve your sleep, and boost your focus. 

7. Stay connected 

Many of us have been limited when it comes to spending face-to-face time with family and friends, as well as socializing through work and leisure.

To fight off these feelings, you must stay connected with those who you care about. Thankfully, there are many ways you can do so, even if you can’t see them in person. 

Whether it’s calling, video conferencing, messaging, or even writing a letter, you can make sure you reach out to your loved ones.

Most people will appreciate the contact, and if you can make it a regular thing, you could be supporting others while making sure your own needs are met. 

8. Create Healthy Sleeping Routine

During the winter months, with lower temperatures and dark mornings, the temptation to hibernate can be strong.

 Keeping on top of my sleep routine is one of my top favorites. 

A night of good sleep brings all kinds of physical and mental health benefits, while not getting enough can negatively impact you. 

Try and work on a sleep schedule that keeps you in a regular pattern.

 Don’t take long naps during the daytime, don’t eat or drink caffeine just before bed, and minimize your alcohol intake.

Keep your bedroom free of distractions and try and work on ways to de-stress before you go to bed, and. You can also try reading a book rather than scrolling on your screen before you try and sleep. 

9. Journaling (Get writing) 

The journaling practice can bring some surprising benefits, it can help you organize your thoughts. I have already mentioned mindfulness and gratitude, and writing a journal is a perfect opportunity to do both. 

Image Source – Pixabay

There are many benefits of journaling for mental health, Studies have shown that engaging in regular journaling can help reduce stress, and depression symptoms,  and manage anxiety.

 It enhances self-awareness, promotes emotional regulation, and even strengthens resilience in the face of challenges.

Journaling can also help to boost your memory, relieve stress, and get your creative mind in the proper direction.

Write your to-do list or record your thoughts and feelings, a few minutes spent writing before bed can make your life more easier. 

10. Be Kind to Yourself

The last self-care tip for December is to be kind to yourself. Many of us treat ourselves more harshly than we would others. Whether it’s negative thoughts, putting unrealistic pressures on yourself, or being critical of mistakes, these are all unhealthy habits to have. 

Try and focus more on your good qualities instead of finding negative thoughts in you and do happy things daily as your routine. Taking a moment to appreciate a small victory and congratulate yourself on your achievements is the most important thing you can do for yourself. I would say “That makes you feel amazing”! 

Trust me guys! It’s wonderful I can feel it! 

Final thoughts 

So, That is it!  12 simple tips for self-care in December. All these self-care habits are good for your regular life, but in winter make these more focused on you to make you a better you which means you can continue taking care of your physical and mental well-being beyond the next few months.  

I hope you like it! I will see you soon.

 With

❤️

Nasreen