Self-care practices go beyond the occasional at-home spa night, especially during the winter. Shorter days and colder nights can lead to unwanted seasonal depression, and taking care of yourself can keep your mind at peace during the winter months. Indulging in self-care practices can boost serotonin and give you time to reflect on your feelings and your overall well-being. It’s important to check in with yourself, address your needs, and figure out what you can do to feel your best, no matter what time of year it is.
If you’re looking for ways to treat yourself to some serious self-care, this list of ideas will help you put yourself first. From diving into a comforting book to reflecting on your feelings in a daily journal, keep reading to find the best practices that you can start doing today. Make yourself your number-one priority right now.
– Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
StockSnap / Freestocks.org / Marko Geber
Meditate or do energizing yoga poses for five minutes every morning.
Unsplash / Klara Avsenik
Try different hot chocolate recipes until you've found your favorite one.
Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
Try being positive in times of hardship.
Unsplash / Liana Mikah
Make yourself a sanctuary that you can return to in times of stress - keep your bedroom clean or create a nook in your home.
Unsplash / fotografierende
Journal every day for a month.
Getty / Justin Lambert
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Getty / Oliver Rossi
Tell the people you love that you love them.
Unsplash / Thought Catalog
Consider the things you want to change about yourself. Set a realistic goal and keep track of your progress.
Getty / PeopleImages
Bundle up - especially with hats.
Unsplash / Chris Ralston
Give yourself time in the morning to have a full breakfast with protein and veggies.
Unsplash / Clay Banks
Reward yourself for reaching milestones in your progress.
Getty / Aja Koska
Do a relaxing face mask once a week.
Unsplash / Alyssa Strohmann
Go through all your clothes and donate the things you don't wear anymore.
Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
If you and your girlfriends have a similar goal, create a group chat that holds you all accountable.
Unsplash / Svitlana
Drink a skin-clearing tea.
Unsplash / dole777
Try deleting social media apps from your phone for a week.
Unsplash / Jess Bailey
Hold yourself accountable to your actions by keeping a journal.
Unsplash / Danielle MacInnes
Give yourself time in the morning to get ready rather than rushing through your routine.
Getty / Kmatta
Get enough sleep. Your immune system could suffer without it.
Getty / PeopleImages
Consider forgiving the people who have hurt you in the past.
Unsplash / Thom Bradley
Start replacing your wardrobe with quality pieces that make you feel good about yourself.
Getty / Boy_Anupong
Utilize your vacation days, even if you're not going anywhere.
Getty / © Marco Bottigelli
Take a safe weekend trip by yourself to get out of your city and see something new.
Getty / LaylaBird
Keep a travel-size bottle of your favorite lotion in your bag.
Getty / Alina Nechaeva
Make homemade sugar scrubs for your feet, hands, and lips.
Getty / Pongtep Chithan
Keep your mind active by learning a new language.
Getty / Oscar Wong
Note the moments where being negative seems easier than being positive. Think about those moments.
Unsplash / Kelly Sikkema
Say thank you to the people you're grateful for.
POPSUGAR Photography / Rima Brindamour
Spend quality time with those who mean most to you in the safest ways that you can.
Unsplash / J. Kelly Brito
Create something. If you don't consider yourself the creative type, adult coloring books are a great place to start.