The nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder. Now’s the time for a winter self-care routine to nurture your body and mind. Try these 30 self-care ideas for winter which you could include into your regular self-care routine.
SELF-CARE IN WINTER
Your self-care is important. A regular routine of looking after your body and mind helps you keep strong and healthy emotionally, physically and psychologically for the demands of daily life.
In Winter it can be difficult to honour and maintain your self-care as it’s often colder (and less inviting!) outside and darker in the evenings. Many of us tend to want to hibernate if possible!
Here are some simple, effective self-care ideas that are perfect for this time of year. Try to make a point of doing them regularly, maybe choose one idea per day. Even just a little bit of time for you can make a big difference to your physical and mental health.
30 SELF-CARE IDEAS FOR WINTER
Here are 30 self-care ideas for winter to help you take care of yourself through the winter months.
- Gratitude – Practice daily gratitude and appreciate all that you have in life, instead of constantly searching and wishing for what you don’t.
- Journal – Get your thoughts out of your head and down onto paper so you can see them clearly and take action where necessary. Journaling helps us reconnect with our thoughts and check in with our emotions.
- 10 minutes to yourself – It may not be a long time but just having some quiet time to do what YOU want, instead of what others want you to do, can help you recharge your batteries.
- Bath and bubbles – Nothing beats a long soak in a warm bath with some lovely bath products to add a little touch of luxury!
- A hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate – Make yourself a hot drink and make time to actually sit and drink it whilst it’s still warm! Be present in the moment and enjoy it.
- Walk in the cold – Wrap up warm and take a brisk walk in the cold to get your body moving and blood pumping. Walking has amazing health benefits.
- Enjoy mulled wine – A perfect seasonal treat that warms the heart and the body!
- Think about your goals for next year – Take some time to really plan some intentional goals that align with your priorities and really serve you in your life.
- Sort your winter clothes – Declutter your wardrobe and go through the cold weather clothes to see what you love, what you wear regularly and what you haven’t worn for the last 3 winters.
- Light a scented candle – Bring a little warmth and cosy light to your home when it’s dark outside. Read more about minimalism and Hygge for more ideas on how to be cosy without clutter!
- Decorate your home with seasonal colours and accessories – Go for colours and textures that reflect the season we’re in and if you love dressing your home up with Christmas decorations, then go for it!
- Read a book – When it’s cold and dark outside, nothing beats curling up under a blanket with a good book.
- Bake – I love the smell of freshly baked cakes and cookies so hone your baking skills when it’s much warmer in the home than outside it!
- Learn a skill – Again, you might not be able to spend so much time outside with the shorter days so think about ways you can use your time productively inside instead.
- Keep hydrated and drink plenty of water – Don’t let your skin dry out because the heating’s going full-blast.
- Declutter your home – Remember that decluttering is a wonderful form of self-care. Here are some monthly decluttering projects for December and February which you might enjoy.
- Spend time with loved ones – For many of us, this season is a time for family and friends so make a point of connecting with those who mean the most to you.
- Enjoy and experiment cooking stews and soups – Create some warm and hearty meals that you can batch cook and make big quantities of to freeze for super-busy times.
- Have a pyjama day – Why get dressed if you don’t have to?
- Call a friend or loved one – A good chat with someone you love and trust does wonders for our mental health.
- Be organised and prepared for Christmas so there’s no stress – Check out these 30 things to plan and organise for Christmas.
- Think about the last year – What’s gone well, what not so, what did you learn? Try these tips to review your year and plan the coming one.
- What do you remember most about the past year? – Was it mostly good memories and, if so, how can you recreate them?
- Can you identify 3 things you’d like to achieve or do over the next year? – Make a plan to help them happen!
- Arrange a fun and cosy night in for you and your partner/family/friends – Make it really special by making everyone feel at home.
- Enjoy the seasonal festivities but don’t over-indulge – Take care of your body.
- Be careful with your money – Don’t go crazy and overspend too much so you stress yourself out by getting into so much debt you can’t pay it off. Here are some tips to simplify your finances.
- What’s your word for next year? – Think about what you’d like next year to bring and what one word will sum up how you will approach the coming year.
- Share a hug – Give someone a hug, either for warmth or to show them some love.
- Remember you are special – Because you are!

WHY SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT
Self-care is far too often dismissed as a luxury, something reserved for those with endless time or money. In reality, it’s a fundamental aspect of maintaining both physical and mental health. Far from being indulgent, self-care is an essential practice that allows us to function at our best.
When we neglect self-care, it doesn’t take long for the cracks to show. Burnout, stress, and even physical illness can creep in when we fail to prioritise our own wellbeing. This is what happened to me and I’ve learned to listen to my body and mind when they tell me they need looking after.
Just as a car needs regular maintenance to keep running smoothly, we too need time and attention to recharge and reset. Ignoring these needs can make life feel overwhelming, and even small tasks can become exhausting.
The beauty of self-care is that it doesn’t have to be extravagant. As we looked at already in this article, it might just be as simple as taking a walk, preparing a nutritious meal, or carving out a moment of stillness in a busy day. These small, intentional acts of care can make a significant difference in how we feel and how we navigate life’s challenges.
It’s also important to remember that self-care isn’t selfish. When we take the time to look after ourselves, we’re better equipped to support others, perform well in our jobs, and handle life’s demands. Trying to pour from an empty cup only leads to frustration and fatigue, whereas self-care ensures we have the energy and resilience to give our best – to create our best life and the best version of ourselves.
Ultimately, self-care is not an optional extra or a sign of indulgence – it’s a non-negotiable part of living a balanced and fulfilling life. By valuing self-care, we’re not just improving our own wellbeing; we’re creating a foundation for a healthier, more sustainable way of living. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity, and one we all deserve.
If you’d like more help creating your own self-care routine and making it a regular practice throughout the year, why not take a look at my Self-Care Toolkit? Most of us know that self-care isn’t a luxury but we still don’t make time and space for it enough. This workbook will help you change that and find time for YOU! Find out more…
SELF-CARE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
If you enjoyed these ideas, here is a round-up of my seasonal self-care collection:
- 30 self-care ideas for Spring
- 30 self-care ideas for Summer
- 30 self-care ideas for Autumn
- 30 self-care ideas for Winter

Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, helping busy people declutter, simplify and live more intentionally. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, gardening or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Read more about Antonia.
Laura
Sunday 1st of December 2024
Hi Antonia, thank you for this timely reminder! I know that when I'm stressed, I tend to let self-care go, but that's when I need it most. Something to keep in mind for the coming year. Excellent suggestions.
Antonia
Monday 2nd of December 2024
Hi Laura, thank you for your comment and I'm so pleased you like them!