Winter Wellness Hacks to Make the Season More Enjoyable
While some people love the winter, others hate it. And let’s be honest, who can blame them? Winter often brings with it cold days and nights, shorter hours of sunlight, less-desirable food options (hello, comfort food), and a lot less motivation to keep your mind and body active. Fortunately, we are revealing the winter wellness hacks you need to stay warm and well.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
It’s going to be winter soon (or maybe it’s already arrived) — the season of pumpkin-spiced everything, comfy sweaters, and Netflix binge-watching. Most people lose track of their nutritional plan during the winter months, opting for comfort food. While comfort food should be embraced in the winter, it’s also vital to maintain balance and ensure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Taking some time to plan your meals will save you time during the week when all you want to do is curl up under a blanket and watch comfort movies.
Go Easy on Yourself
As the seasons change, it’s natural for your routine and motivation to change too. Winter wellness is about learning to accept the season and working with its natural draw towards slow and gentle living. You won’t be as energetic as you were in summer, so it’s important to show yourself kindness and acceptance. Whether you don’t follow your exercise plan or meal plans exactly, remember that life is about balance, and it’s not the end of the world. It’s not always easy to show yourself compassion, but it does get easier over time.
Adapt Your Routine and Allow for Change
It’s true that winter can be a tough time of year. The days are shorter, the nights longer, and there’s an undeniable chill in the air. If you’re having trouble coping with the winter blues, try adapting your routine and allowing change to occur.
Try your best to find some variations in your day, from waking up later to mixing up your workout routine. For example, since winter is often about slowing down, you might like to swap your gym session for a slow yoga session or a walk. Your routine should change as the seasons do to accommodate for the temperature drop, among other things. Identifying ways to work with the darker and longer days can make winter more manageable.
Get Some Expert Advice
Wellness is completely unique to you. Winter is a great time for self-reflection and learning more about our bodies. As self-care has become more mainstream, new wellness trends have emerged over the years. Nowadays, many people test biological age, which is the age of your immune system. By taking a test tailored by experts, you can better understand where your body is and how to improve your wellness this winter with an individual plan.
Prioritise Your Sleep Schedule
Winter is an amazing time to catch up on sleep. You may think this is the worst time of year to get your zzzs, but it’s actually one of the best times to do it.
The shorter days can make you feel like you’re spending more time in bed, but if you don’t prioritise your sleep schedule, you may end up feeling tired and cranky.
Since winter is dark, cold, and gloomy, it’s recommended that people prioritise their sleep schedule. It can feel near impossible to wake up early when it’s dark out, especially as you’re exposed to less light during the day. However, if you want to feel energised all day long, then it’s important to go to bed at a good time, so you get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. This will help keep you in better spirits and ease the transition into winter.
Final Thoughts
Winter is only going to last for so long, whether you’re prepared for it or not. So don’t be left out in the cold! Winter wellness is possible, no matter your situation or attitude towards winter. These tips are meant to help you start your journey, not finish it. With every day that passes, you have an opportunity to take a step closer to wellness and happiness.
There is no cookie-cutter solution to any of the issues associated with winter. Even the most ardent wellness enthusiasts take a break from their go-to routines in the winter. Winter wellness isn’t about obsessively sticking to some rigid routine at all times. It’s about taking the time to find what works for you.
So, while winter might make many people feel dread, others enjoy it. These tips might be the key to helping you unlock some of that winter wellness and brighten your spirits this season.