7+ Seasonal Self-Care Ideas for Darker Days
We have officially entered this time of the year again. The clock bounced back to 1:00 AM on Sunday, November 7th, signaling the end of daylight savings and the dawn of a dreary annual four-month period, characterized by cold weather, wind chills, and the displeasing 4PM sunset. While self-care is essential year-round, it becomes especially vital at this time for those impacted by colder weather and shorter days. Whether you’re rejuvenating your mind with an adrenaline-boosting creative venture, or self-soothing with a savory pastime, keep in mind that it is okay - and essential - to slow down for a moment, take a pause from the drones of daily life, and realign with your inner self.
More than merely a cluster of comfortable routines for your evening downtime, self-care unites the body, mind, and self and brings forth a sense of awareness and unity with the external present. It is also a journey of exploring who you are and discovering what works for you. That being said, I’ve put together seven season-specific self-care activities that could help you ground in the present, ground within yourself, and give your brain the adrenaline boost it deserves.
Savor hot seasonal drinks.
Warm up some hot chocolate, pumpkin spice latte, or peppermint mocha. They’re savory to the taste buds, soothing to the mind, and quick to make. Let the heat seep through you and wear away the wintry chills. Feel free to get creative with the ingredients and mix together different flavors or syrups to craft your signature hybrid holiday drink.
Look good to feel good.
Whether you prefer to cozy up in your comfy sweaters and sweatpants or rock your knee-high boots and trenchcoat, dress up in whichever way makes you feel like your best self. I know it can be hard when it’s far too cold outside to not bundle up in bulky layers. If dressing up helps boost your confidence and alertness throughout the day, it’s worth investing that extra bit of effort each morning on a conscious outfit choice and head out the door on your best foot.
Seek out new stimuli.
Your brain deserves that adrenaline rush, so dare to try something new. If novelty and challenges stimulate you mentally, go out and climb a tree, or find a staircase behind a campus building and climb towards a rooftop—anything that fuels the dopamine release. Channel this into an underrated mechanism of mindfulness that helps reorient your headspace with a refreshing cool.
Brighten your space with light therapy lamps.
When being deprived of sunlight stimulation may diminish one’s incentive to get outside, it becomes all the more essential to create a homey, stimulating haven within the confines of your bedroom. Try investing in some LED string lights, a sunset projector lamp, or any type of light therapy lamp to bring energy into your room and lighten the mood (quite literally but also figuratively).
Use essential oils to raise your vibration.
Encompassing a variety of flavors from rose to frankincense to lavender, essential oils are known for their restorative and spiritual benefits - bringing forth a relaxing yet revitalizing atmosphere that helps raise vibrations and uplift mood. Diffuse the smell into your space using an oil diffuser, dilute the oils in a carrier oil for skincare and massage, or add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner. Many oil diffusers come with an internal light projector, so you if you decide to invest in one, you would get a 2-in-1 package of light and aromatherapy combined.
Declutter & reset your spaces.
When cloudy days induce a foggy headspace, some proactive decluttering and reorganizing could help clear your mind. Consider taking a step back and re-evaluating your space - whether that be your living, work, or mental space. Discard/store away any unnecessary clutter on your desk, closet, or to-do lists, and reset your environment with the aesthetic and essential priorities. A reoriented environment is sometimes a prerequisite for a reoriented mind, so it’s worth evaluating how you could recreate your environment with the energies that instill the best balance.
Feed your soul & express yourself.
Engaging with an expressive outlet (e.g. writing, music, dance) is a great way to get the brain moving and the blood flowing. So go ahead and unleash those creative juices. Feel free to take the chances, push past your own boundaries, and try a new hobby. While sensory grounding activities could enhance your engagement with the immediate environment, by tending to your passions, you are challenging any unpleasant feelings you may have and transforming them to creative, productive energy. If the core of self-care revolves around staying in touch with your inner self, creative self-care accomplishes exactly that, and also allows you to feed your soul <3
