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Self-care

Self-care for Winter Time Here on the Suncoast

| Angela Naff |

The winter months, fewer activities, and cooler weather can be a tough time for many people. Further complicating feelings of isolation and other negative mental health concerns during these winter months. Less sunlight, more time stuck indoors, and even more sicknesses reported can contribute to misery during this season. There is hope, though, through some self-care things you can add to your routine to keep yourself feeling amazing and moving right on through until spring.

Fresh Air Required

With sunlight being so limited in the winter, it’s important to absorb as much of it as possible. Sunlight provides us with much-needed Vitamin D, which helps to boost mood, bone health, and the immune system.  To avoid Vitamin D deficiency, try to get outdoors at least once a day for some fresh air and sunlight. The crisp air is great for mental alertness and the winter sun is comforting in the midst of the cold air.  Naturally, there will be days where you’ll want to hibernate from frigid conditions and avoid them altogether, so make sure you stock up on all your essential vitamins and supplements to help you function at your best even indoors.

Self-care Coffee

Hot Beverage Please

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! That means that not only does it improve physical health, but mental clarity and calm. Especially when the cold makes our bodies tense, the hot beverage instantly allows us to unwind. If you’re not a coffee drinker, tea or hot cocoa are great alternatives to keep you toasty.

Routines Make a Difference

With our lives turned upside down by Covid-19 and so much uncertainty around the world, it’s easy to feel out of control and anxious this Winter. Establishing a routine, especially if you’ve been forced to work from home, can provide a much-needed structure to your day to anchor and stabilize you. Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time, eat and take breaks at set times, schedule a daily walk or exercise session, and a regular catch-up with family, friends, and colleagues in your calendar. A routine will give you a sense of control and comfort amongst uncertainty and make long Winter days spent inside much more manageable.

Self-care journaling

Gratitude Journaling

Add a gratitude journal to your self-care night routine. Reminding yourself of your blessings can help you appreciate what you have. In fact, giving thanks can even make you happier. Try writing down 10 things you’re grateful for every day, no matter how big or small. This helps keep you hyper-focused on the positives even when seasonal or other pressures might be causing negativity.

Be specific, like:

  • I’m so happy about the support my best friend showed me today.
  • I loved sitting on the porch this morning by myself drinking an amazing cup of coffee.
  • I’m grateful for my strong, powerful legs that make it possible for me to work out and get fit.

Random Acts

Small acts of kindness go far, for both you and others. Doing kind, small things for others again puts you in a positive state of mind, socializes you, and makes you more aware of others. Here are some ideas:

  • Offer to pick up groceries for an older neighbor.
  • Leave an extra-large tip on a takeout order.
  • Let someone pass you in traffic.

Did you find a new self-care item you need to add to your routine? Are you one of those amazing people already on top of keeping yourself happy, moving, and vibing during the winter? Hopefully, as spring comes into the Suncoast, all of us will survive the quarantining of the pandemic and the isolation of cooler months to emerge for some amazing new adventures in the coming seasons.

Photo courtesy of Deposit Photos and Pixaby

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