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Most of us know that the weather can really alter our mood and mental health. When the weather gets colder and the days get darker, you may feel a little down and unmotivated.
It is important all the time, but especially in the winter, to practice self-care and prioritize taking care of yourself!
With the weather changing you may find yourself wanting to stay indoors more often and that’s okay because there are so many indoor self-care activities you can do to really improve your mental health.
Why you need to focus on winter self-care
During the cooler months, the days are shorter and there is less sunlight. With a decrease in sunlight comes negative feelings, irritability, and sadness for some of us. Some people might have minimal mood change while others experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is also sometimes called “seasonal depression.”
It is so easy to ditch your self-care practices and spend your free time binge-watching a new Netflix show. When the weather is colder you will want to skip your workouts and get cozy at home instead.
These things are totally normal and don’t get me wrong, there is nothing inherently bad about hanging out on the couch in your coziest clothes drinking a hot chocolate! That actually sounds pretty fantastic to me and could be a form of self-care in itself!
However, doing that day in and day out is not ideal. Why, you ask? Well simply put, it’s not the best way to take care of your body all the time! Remember, self-care is about taking care of yourself which includes your health!
21 indoor self-care activities for winter
Journal
Grab your favorite journal and write about how you are doing, about your hopes and dreams, or try out some journal prompts!
Have a hot bath
Is there anything better than a hot bath on a cold day? Spend some time in the bath with some epsom salts and listen to some calming music.
Do some yoga
Yoga can be such a relaxing practice! If you are new to yoga, no fear! Throw on a beginner yoga YouTube video and feel your body get stronger and more relaxed.
Practice painting
This is one of those things that you don’t need to be good at to enjoy! There are many types of painting so grab a brush (or use your fingers) and get creative. Let your mind wander a little bit and just enjoy the moment.
Read a new book
One of my favorite ways to practice self-care all year round is reading! Winter is an even better time to read because you can curl up on the couch with a warm drink and escape into a story.
Organize something in your house
At first glance, you might think organizing is not a great way to practice self-care BUT I find that if my space is cluttered so is my mind! Take care of yourself by cleaning up your house and clearing all that clutter.
Bake a holiday treat
Cookies, cupcakes, chocolate bark, bread… the list goes on! Winter is the best time for baking. The flavors are so yummy and everyone likes a good treat now and then. The best part? Baking is a great way to clear your mind! Plus, you and your family get the delicious finished treats afterward! Win-win
Plan a spa day
An at-home spa day doesn’t need to be anything outrageous. You could do a face mask, soak your feet, paint your nails, do a hair mask, etc. Whatever makes you feel pampered, do that!
Knit a scarf
What is more fun than making your own clothing?! A scarf would be the perfect addition to your closet this winter and how cool would it be to make it yourself? You can find some easy patterns online and also lots of YouTube videos showing you how to do it. Learning a new skill could be the perfect form of self-care!
Watch a documentary
I love to learn and find it to be so rewarding. If you are like me, you will find watching a documentary to be a great form of self-care. It’s fun and there are sooo many different documentaries or docu-series to watch nowadays!
Make a vision board
Planning the year ahead or even the month ahead can put you in such a good mindset! You can focus on your biggest goals and dreams. Let yourself imagine the future and have a wonderful afternoon collecting photos for your vision board.
Play a video game
Sitting down and playing a video game can be a fun way to spend your time. Whether it’s the latest version of Animal Crossing or a multi-player game with friends, diving into a virtual world for a few hours can do a lot for your body and mind!
Dance and sing around the house
Pretend like you are a famous pop star and put on the show of a lifetime!
Call a friend
Self-care can be sharing your feelings, laughing, and catching up with a friend. Connection is SO important in the winter because people tend to stay indoors away from others. So, grab your phone and actually call instead of text for once.
Decorate your home
Have some cute holiday decor? Spend the day decorating your home! Nothing lifts your mood more than a cute and cozy space.
Write down all your recent accomplishments
Get your journal out and spend some time relishing in all the things you’ve accomplished lately! Bonus points if you hang it somewhere you will see it often.
Visit a museum from your home
Google’s Arts and Culture allows you to view museums online! How cool is that?
Create a new playlist
Pick a mood (happy, calm, excited, etc) and create a whole new playlist! Next time you are feeling a certain way you can pull out your curated playlist just for that moment!
Try a DIY project
Ever thought about creating an accent wall in your home? Why not do it now? Spending time improving your home is totally self-care.
Make a fancy coffee at home
I personally love Starbucks specialty coffees and like to challenge myself to make them at home. It doesn’t always work (okay, it pretty much never works) BUT, it’s fun!
Meditate
Download the Headspace app and try some meditation! It is difficult when you first start but no need to be perfect. Meditating is a great excuse to sit quietly and focus all your energy on yourself.
In Summary
There are so many ways to practice self-care indoors. It’s not just about getting fresh air and going for walks! You can improve your mood, mentally refresh, and take care of yourself from the comfort of your own home!
Winter may bring out the hibernating bear in you but remember, spending time on your mental health and overall well-being is so important. You will be a happier person for it and that is crucial during the cooler and darker months when your Vitamin D intake is lower!
So, when the days get darker and you need some extra layers of clothing, make time every week to engage in some winter self-care! You will thank yourself for it!
What is your favorite indoor self-care activity?
Deanna Frig
Contributor
Deanna is a 20-something personal growth blogger and freelance writer. She created Life By Deanna to inspire other women to focus on growth, create lives they love, and dream big. Check out her blog for more posts on personal growth, wellness, and lifestyle. When she isn’t writing she is reading, cuddling with her cat, and probably eating mac and cheese!
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