Winter has a way of slowing us down. Shorter days, longer nights, and that deep, bone-level urge to cocoon. While summer asks for motion, winter invites stillness. And though we can’t hibernate entirely (as tempting as that sounds), we can use the season as a cue to rest, restore, and reconnect.
Think of winter wellness as less about resolutions and more about rituals. The grounding, feel-good kind that makes darker months a little lighter. Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to care for body and mind when the temperature drops.
1. Move, but Make It Mindful
It’s normal for motivation to dip when daylight does. But movement doesn’t have to mean max effort or 5 a.m. alarms, especially in winter. Slow, intentional movement can help boost mood, circulation, and immunity without draining your energy.
Try hot yoga (or a warm room at home). The combo of heat and stretching can help loosen stiff muscles and release tension built up from the cold or sitting for extended periods of time. Studies show that consistent yoga practice can reduce stress, improve flexibility, and even enhance sleep quality. Roll out a yoga mat and yoga bolster to create your own cozy corner for gentle movement or restorative poses.
Bundle up for fresh air. Even 10 minutes of sunlight or outdoor movement helps regulate circadian rhythm and support vitamin D levels, both of which are essential for warding off winter fatigue. Try a walking meditation: no phone, no playlist, just your breath meeting the cold air and paying close attention to your surroundings. Rest days are active too. Some days, your best movement might be stretching under a blanket or dancing in your kitchen. If it brings warmth and joy to your body, it’s wellness in my book. Because the best way we can take care of ourselves is to learn to listen to what we need and act accordingly.
Read More: How to Mix Up Your Winter Fitness Routine
2. Curate Evenings Worth Looking Forward To
Dark evenings are an invitation to slow down, but without structure, they can easily turn into endless scrolling and “just one more episode.” Instead, try turning your nights into small, grounding rituals that help you unwind without checking out.
Share three good things. It’s a simple gratitude practice: take turns naming three highlights from your day with a partner, roommate, or in your journal. My husband and I do it over dinner for a quick, grounding reminder that even in the gray of winter, there’s still plenty of light. Plus, research shows that practicing gratitude enhances our overall health and happiness.
Do something that gets you out of the house. When a few too many nights of TV start to blur together, shake things up. Invite friends for a game night, or bring your favorite card deck to a tea house, bar, or coffee shop. There are piles of proof that show social connection as one of the strongest buffers against seasonal mood dips.End the day with care, not just collapse. After your shower or bath, take five minutes for a short stretch, meditation, or skincare ritual—applying body oil or moisturizer slowly, with intention. It’s an easy, sensory way to signal that your day is done while also building a deep connection between your mind and body.
3. Let Light Lead the Way
If winter has you feeling foggy, you’re not imagining it. Reduced sunlight affects serotonin and melatonin production, which can lead to sluggishness, poor sleep, and the “winter blues.” But you can counteract that with a few brightness-boosting habits.
Get morning light. If nothing else, step outside within an hour of waking and breathe in fresh air for a few moments, even if it’s cloudy. It’s been well studied that getting natural daylight helps reset your circadian rhythm and improve energy and focus throughout the day.
Use light intentionally. A sunrise alarm clock or light-therapy lamp can mimic natural sunlight, helping to lift mood and sharpen focus when days feel short. And if you’re lucky enough to have access to an infrared sauna, that warm glow can do wonders for circulation and relaxation by restoring heat and calming your chilly and tense body. End the day in darkness. Swap overhead lights for lamps or candles once the sun sets. Candlelight naturally mimics the warmer tones of sunset, signaling your brain to start producing melatonin. Plus, it just feels better—fewer harsh lights, more hygge.
4. Nourish from the Inside Out
Winter cravings make sense; your body is asking for grounding, energy-dense foods to stay warm and balanced. But comfort food doesn’t have to mean heavy or processed. Instead, try to:
Cook with color. Root veggies, citrus, and dark leafy greens are full of vitamins and antioxidants that support immunity and energy. Think roasted carrots, lentil and kale stew, or a fresh mid-day orange.
Stay hydrated. Cold weather dries out more than your skin; it can also dull your sense of thirst. Herbal teas, warm lemon water, or even bone broth can help keep fluids (and minerals) in balance. And let us not forget the OG hydrator, a nice tall glass of water. Consider mindful supplements. Vitamin D is key in winter, especially for those in northern climates. Talk to your doctor about levels, or reach for fortified foods like mushrooms or oat milk for a natural boost.
Read More: 12 of Our Favorite Healthy Soup Recipes
5. Don’t Sleep on Your Bedtime Routine
When it’s dark before dinner, bedtime tends to creep in earlier, and honestly, that’s not a bad thing. Sleep is where healing happens, especially when it’s good and deep.
Start with breathable, organic materials. Synthetic fabrics trap heat and moisture, while natural fibers let your body self-regulate. Swap to organic sheets and an organic duvet cover for bedding that keeps you cozy without overheating when your heater is working overtime.
Declutter your space. Research shows messy bedrooms can increase stress, and stress always makes it harder to fall asleep. Simplify your nightstand, declutter forgotten corners and closets, and let your room become a cue for calm.Keep your sleep consistent. We probably sound like a broken record, but I’m going to say it again…consistency is key for good sleep. Our bodies love a reliable routine. Try waking and sleeping around the same times daily, even on weekends. It’s not glamorous, but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do for energy and mood balance.
6. Reframe Rest as Resilience
Winter tends to get a bad reputation: gray skies, canceled plans, the endless hum of “shoulds.” But rest isn’t laziness, it’s how we restore our capacity to think, create, and care.
Take guilt-free downtime. Our society likes to make us think that if we aren’t being productive, we’re wasting time. But, I’d like to erase that idea from your mind–downtime is crucial, and we should all take and enjoy it, as often as our bodies call for it.
Practice warmth in all forms. Warm food, warm baths, warm company, it all counts. Hot meals soothe the nervous system. The warm hug of a friend keeps us from feeling alone in the darkness. And warm water on the skin? It slows everything down, quieting the mind and softening the body.Find meaning in slowing down. Nature does it too—trees, animals, the earth itself. Winter is an invitation to pause. Instead of fighting it, align with it. Move slower. Think softer. Sleep longer. You’re not falling behind; you’re syncing with the season.
Create a Ritual That’s Yours
The best wellness routines aren’t the ones everyone’s doing; they’re the ones that actually feel good for you.
Maybe it’s ten minutes of morning light, maybe it’s journaling before bed, maybe it’s the deep exhale you take the moment you pull on your softest pajamas. Whatever your ritual looks like, let it remind you that self-care isn’t seasonal—it just shifts with the weather.
Winter doesn’t have to be endured. It can be embraced, one small, cozy ritual at a time.
Read More: Cozymaxxing for the Holidays
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