50 Winter Self-Care Ideas & Activities

In this post, you will find 50 cosy winter self-care ideas and activities to try over the winter period.

 

These winter and Christmas self-care ideas are my absolute fave! As a certified homebody, I love practising cosy self-care at home during the winter season. Dark evenings, candles lit, hot cocoa, comfort shows and a relaxing hot bath. I am here for it all.

 

Below, I have listed 50 fun, relaxing, and festive self-care activities for winter, divided into two sections: General winter self-care and Christmas-themed self-care. Choose the activities you feel called to and add them to your self-care routine, or even make a winter bucket list of all your favourites!

 

50 Winter Self-Care Ideas & Activities

 

 

1. Make a hot drink

 

Make yourself a relaxing hot drink of your preferred choice, sit back and relax!

 

2. Keep your skin hydrated

 

The changing of the seasons and the harsher weather can be drying on the skin. Show yourself some extra love during the colder months by keeping your skin hydrated.

Opt for a good moisturiser or a natural oil for your daily routine and even try out a hydrating face mask for an at-home pamper.

 

3. Take a walk in a cosy outfit

 

Due to less sunlight in winter, it is important to keep your vitamin D levels up. This not only supports your immune system but is crucial for mental health!

Wrap up in a comfy, warm outfit and take a walk outdoors to get your daily fix of fresh air and sunlight.

 

4. Make a winter playlist

 

Put together a playlist that is on-brand for winter.

 

5. Use journal prompts for winter

 

Try out some winter journal prompts for a cosy journal session. These journal prompts for winter are designed for self-reflection, comfort and invoking festive feels.

Depending on where you’re at in the season when reading this, you may enjoy our list of journal prompts for the new year which includes end-of-year journal prompts for reflection and new year-themed prompts for goal setting, self-discovery and more.

 

6. Use a face mask

 

Support your skin with a face mask during the colder weather and unwind with an at-home spa moment.

 

7. Make a vision board for the new year

 

I adore vision boards! Put together a vision board for the new year to support you in manifesting your goals.

Similarly (and depending on where you’re at in winter when reading this), you can make a vision board for Christmas to manifest the Christmas of your dreams. This post here teaches you how to make one.

 

8. Cook a comforting hot meal

 

Practice winter self-care by cooking a nice hot meal for yourself. Are there any recipes that you like to cook over the holidays? Do you wish to try out a new recipe?

 

9. Use a gua sha or face roller

 

Apply a serum or face oil to your face and neck area and use a face massage tool such as a gua sha or a face roller for depuffing and improving blood circulation.

 

10. Simmer pot

 

I am so excited to make a festive simmer pot this year! They make your home smell beautiful and it’s all-natural. Try out a festive simmer pot recipe that uses herbs, spices and fruits for some winter-themed self-care.

 

11. Do an at-home workout

 

Do a workout to show some love to your body and shake up any stagnant energy. There are tons of simple guided at-home workouts on YouTube if you prefer to follow a video or wish to learn some new exercises.

 

12. Write down 5 favourite memories of the previous year

 

Write down 5 of your favourite memories from the previous year to spark some feelings of gratitude.

 

13. Take a warm shower

 

A warm shower at the end of a long and stressful day is top-tier. Light a candle and pop in a shower steamer for extra relaxation points!

 

14. Tidy your space

 

Having a simple tidy around your space getting rid of clutter and dust quickly improves the atmosphere of a space and therefore your mood.

 

15. Recite positive affirmations

 

Affirmations are one of my favourite manifestation and self-care tools! Recite positive affirmations to yourself to boost your mood and improve your mindset. Here are 20 winter affirmations if you’d like some inspiration.

 

16. Massage

 

Self-massage with a body lotion or oil to aid in lymphatic drainage and relaxation. Do this after a warm shower or bath to add some extra self-love to a regular routine.

If you’re feeling something a bit fancier, book yourself a massage at a spa or salon for a winter self-care treat.

 

17. Watch a comfort show

 

Grab a blanket, get cosy and watch a comfort show. What is your go-to self-care comfort show? I’d love to hear! I’m always looking for recommendations too.

 

18. Take yourself on a coffee date

 

For a winter self-care solo date, take yourself on a date to a coffee shop. Check out the seasonal drinks and delicacies or get yourself your usual go-to favourite order.

 

19. Write down 5 goals for the new year

 

Think of 5 goals that you’d like to accomplish in the new year. Doing this gives you something to look forward to and allows you to start thinking of strategies to achieve these goals.

 

20. Make a winter bucket list

 

Create a winter bucket list of all the things you want to experience this winter.

 

21. Watch your favourite movie

 

Have a relaxing evening watching your favourite movie with some snacks, your favourite drink and a blanket.

 

22. Make a bucket list for spring/summer

 

Create a bucket list for the upcoming seasons. What spring/summer activities are you looking forward to the most? Is there anything new you’d like to try?

 

23. Try a yoga routine

 

Do an at-home guided yoga routine or check out a local class to get in some gentle movement and relaxation.

 

24. DIY manicure

 

Give yourself a DIY manicure with your favourite nail polish or even go the extra mile and opt for a Christmas-themed DIY manicure.

 

25. Plan a date with a friend

 

Make plans to see a friend! Spending time with loved ones is an important form of self-care, especially if you’re experiencing the winter blues or spending more time at home than usual in winter.

 

Christmas Self-Care Ideas & Activities

 

 

26. Bake Christmas cookies

 

Bake a batch of Christmas cookies and decorate them with festive designs or your favourite toppings.

 

27. Decorate with Christmas decorations

 

Decorate your home with Christmas decorations! Make a day out of it alongside Christmas music for some festive cheer.

 

28. Take a bath with a festive bath bomb

 

Who doesn’t love a good bath bomb now and again?! Run yourself a hot bath, light a candle and use a festive bath bomb for some perfectly fitting winter self-care.

 

29. Make DIY Christmas cards

 

For those who are feeling creative! Doing something nice and thoughtful for loved ones is a sure way to boost your mood. Put together some DIY cards using some craft materials. P.S. Pinterest has some great inspiration for all things creative and DIY.

 

30. Visit a Christmas market

 

Look up a Christmas market nearby and pay a visit. Christmas markets are full of cute gifts, delicious foods and hot drinks. They’re a great way to support small businesses too.

 

31. Have a Christmas-themed gathering

 

Get together with friends and family for a Christmas-themed gathering. Festive dinner parties, Christmas movie nights, putting up decor together and even gift-swapping get-togethers are a few examples, there is an abundance of ways to do this!

 

32. Watch a Christmas movie

 

Take some time out of your schedule to have some winter self-care downtime and get into the Christmas spirit by getting comfy with a Christmas movie.

 

33. Make hot cocoa

 

Treat yourself to a hot cocoa! Add your favourite toppings such as cream, sprinkles and marshmallows. Throw in a drop of peppermint extract or pair it with a candy cane for an extra festive touch.

 

34. Relax with a hot water bottle

 

A hot water bottle is perfect for those cold and rainy days. Prepare one and add it to your bed just before you go to sleep for some daily self-care and a warm bed to get into! I love doing this during the colder months, it’s totally worth taking the extra 5 minutes to do this.

 

35. Make a Christmas-themed playlist

 

Put together your favourite Christmas songs and make a playlist for the holidays. Pair your playlist with some festive baking or gift wrapping for some extra festive joy.

 

36. Make an orange garland

 

DIY orange garlands are so cute and you can prepare the orange slices in the oven if you do not have a dehydrator As well as making a garland, you can also create decorations to hang on the tree with dehydrated orange slices. This makes a fun family activity too!

 

37. Prepare a Christmas recipe

 

Pick a Christmas recipe that catches your eye. Trying out a new recipe is a fun way to try new foods and boost your confidence in the kitchen.

 

38. Buy yourself a Christmas gift

 

Gift yourself something nice, because you deserve it! Is there something that has been on your wishlist? Perhaps a product that you’ve been wanting to try?

For a fun challenge, you could set yourself a budget and see what you can get with the money.

 

39. Visit a local attraction

 

Are there any local attractions that have festive events over the holidays or are decorated for the season? Pay a visit and check it out!

 

40. Light a scented candle

 

Okay but can we talk about festive scented candles?! Light up a candle in your environment for a relaxing aroma and some ambient lighting.

Which scents do you enjoy the most?

 

41. Get out in the snow

 

Get out in the snow and have some fun! Take a winter walk or even play around outdoors, this makes an enjoyable Christmas activity with younger ones and family.

 

42. Shop for Christmas decorations

 

Go out and purchase some Christmas decorations that catch your eye. Even window shopping to admire the decor or search for inspiration is a wonderful winter self-care activity.

 

43. Attend a holiday event

 

Look up local events that take place over the holidays and make a day or evening out of it. This is a great choice for a solo winter self-care date as well as attending with friends or family.

 

44. Try out a festive makeup look

 

Pop on your favourite winter playlist, grab a refreshing drink and try out a festive look for some experimental and creative self-care.

 

45. Play board games with loved ones

 

The holidays are all about quality time and quality time with those you love is a highly beneficial form of self-care! Choose a board game and get together with your loved ones for a fun afternoon or game night.

 

46. Make DIY decorations

 

Crafts are a fun way to get creative, boost your artsy confidence and be present in the moment… plus they’re adorable and make a lovely personal touch to the home!

There are so many unique, budget-friendly and even zero-waste ideas for DIY Christmas decorations. Just like DIY Christmas cards, Pinterest have so many cool ideas and tutorials for DIY decorations!

 

47. Write down 5 things you love about the holidays

 

What are the things that first come to mind? Write them down for some gratitude and joyful reminders.

 

48. Wrap gifts

 

Wrap Christmas gifts for those you love for some Christmas cheer.

 

49. Diffuse a festive scented oil

 

Put a few drops of essential oil that is on-brand for the Christmas holidays into an oil diffuser to fill the atmosphere with a gorgeous festive aroma.

 

50. Make a festive self-care basket

 

Planning and preparing self-care items and activities is also a form of self-care! Put together a winter self-care basket that you can use as a go-to when you need some self-love and relaxation.

Here are some examples of things to include:

• Face masks
• Eye patches
• Lip balm
• A cosy blanket
• A book
• Snacks
• Affirmation cards
• A journal
• A festive sweater or hoodie

 

Pin me for later!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Which of these winter self-care ideas are your favourite? 🎄❄️☃️🎁