Winter affects us in ways we don’t always realise. The colder air, shorter days, darker mornings, and quieter routines shift something inside us. Nature slows down, and whether we like it or not, so do we. But what if, instead of fighting that natural pull toward rest and reflection, we leaned into it? What if winter became a season of wellbeing rather than something to just get through?
That’s what wintering well is all about: supporting your mind, body, and emotions during the colder months so you feel grounded, nourished, and more in tune with yourself.
In her book How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days, psychologist Kari Leibowitz explores how people in Scandinavian countries embrace winter through mindset. They don’t wait for spring to be happy, they actively look for ways to enjoy the season. Their mindset is a big part of why they cope so well with long, dark winters. I highly recommend giving this book a read!
Let’s look at why winter is actually the perfect time to slow down, how to avoid the winter blues, practical wellness tips you can start today, and how journaling can help you make this season feel softer and more meaningful.
Grab a cosy blanket, a warm drink, and settle in — this is your permission to take winter at your own pace.
Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Slow Down?
We live in a world that values productivity year-round, but our bodies don’t work that way. Nature has cycles — and so do we. Just like trees, animals, and soil enter a quieter phase during winter, our minds and bodies naturally crave more rest.
Winter invites us to:
Pause
Reflect
Reconnect with ourselves
Reset our routines
Let go of what’s draining us
Winter doesn’t have to be something you survive. It can be something you shape, a season to embrace.
The Winter Wellbeing Circle
Winter wellness isn’t about perfection — it’s about gentle consistency. The goal is to support your body and mind through small, nourishing shifts.
Imagine a simple circle divided into four sections — each representing a pillar of winter wellness.
Rest — earlier nights, slower mornings, more downtime
Light — sunlight, lamps, warm lighting, candles
Nourish — comforting meals, hydration, supplements
Connect — journaling, meaningful conversations, cosy routines
When these four areas are supported, winter feels less draining, more grounding and enjoyable.
Why Winter Is the Season for Reflection
With less noise, less daylight, and fewer social demands, winter naturally encourages introspection. This makes it the perfect time to:
Regulate emotions
Reduce stress
Increase self-awareness
Strengthen your sense of direction
Bring comfort during low-motivation days
Tips for Wintering Well
Slowing down isn’t a failure or a lack of motivation — it’s seasonal wisdom. Here are some practical ways to winter well:
1. Embrace Slow Mornings
Give yourself permission to start the day gently. Light a candle, wrap yourself in a cosy blanket, sip something warm, and take a few deep breaths. Let your nervous system wake up slowly.
2. Create Light As Much As You Can
Open curtains fully, sit near windows, or use warm-toned lamps. Research shows that 20–30 minutes of light exposure in the morning can improve mood and energy levels.
3. Nourish Your Body
Winter is the perfect time for:
Soups and stews
Herbal teas
Warm breakfast bowls
Root vegetables
Protein-rich meals
Warm foods regulate your nervous system by supporting digestion and energy.
4. Build Mini-Moments of Joy
Think about the small comforts that feel good during winter:
Soft socks
Hot chocolate
A cosy reading nook
A long bath
Watching the rain
These pockets of comfort act as emotional support throughout the season.
5. Get Your Body Moving
Movement boosts serotonin and warms the body. You don’t need long workouts — try stretching, working-out, walking, or dancing around your kitchen.
6. Protect Your Energy
It’s okay to say no, rest more, and spend evenings in. Winter is a natural time for turning inward.
7. Practice Nervous System Regulation
Here are some regulation tools that work especially well during winter:
Extended exhale breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 6)
Body scan relaxation
5-4-3-2-1 grounding
Warm showers or heat therapy (heat relaxes the vagus nerve)
Your nervous system loves warmth, rhythm, and gentle movement.
Journaling: The Ultimate Winter Well-being Tool
Winter creates space for Inner Reflection & Personal Growth. One of the best tools for this? Journaling.
Writing your way through winter helps:
Regulate emotions
Reduce stress
Increase self-awareness
Strengthen your sense of direction
Bring comfort during low-motivation days
Grab your journal or a notebook and enjoy exploring the journaling prompts below…
Journaling Prompts for Wintering Well:
Here are two gentle prompts to help you reflect this season:
✍️ “What does my mind and body need more of this winter?”
✍️“Which habits, expectations, or pressures do I want to release while the world slows down?”
Take your time and let your writing be simple, slow, and honest.
Ready to Winter Well Together?
If you’d love support, encouragement, guided journaling, and a cosy community to help you through the colder months, you’re invited to join my Wintering Well Journaling Club.
It’s your cozy, supportive space to:
Slow down
Reflect deeply
Support your emotional wellbeing
Feel less alone during winter
Build nourishing, do-able routines
Let’s make this winter one of grounding, growth, comfort, and connection.
You don’t have to get through winter — you can winter well!
Final Thought:
Wintering Well Is an Act of Self-Kindness
Winter doesn’t have to feel heavy. With the right tools, mindset, and support, it can become one of the most restorative and meaningful seasons of your year.
Imagine embracing winter with:
Gentler routines
More warmth
More softness
More reflection
More intention
That’s wintering well.
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