12 Ways To Winter Well
Photo by Vantha Thang
Once the Christmas carols have been sung and the festive decor is packed away, winter can be downright daunting in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal depression can easily slip in, and the weight of any grief we’ve been grappling with can seem insurmountable. And, honestly, isn’t it a bit cruel that cold, dark days and a lack of sunlight are set before us as we turn the page on a new year, striving to muster what little motivation we may have?
Wintering, however, can be a sort of invitation to rest — and we can learn to use the season to our advantage. Many writers and poets and artists, thankfully, have been working to show us the way. In her beautiful book titled Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, author Katherine May argues that wintering is inevitable, and we would do well to embrace it for the season that it is.
This book has been a helpful companion to me for multiple winters now, and I’ve slowly learned to lean into the season because of it. Winter might be a season, but wintering is a practice. It’s the time of year in which we are meant to rest, reflect, and retreat, so that we might usher in spring with a renewed and refreshed sense of self. The following are 12 ways we can winter well, in spite of the cold or seasonal depression we might be up against.
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01 | Welcome winter
Consider observing the Winter Solstice in your own special sort of way. Is there a picture book you could read with your family? A special movie you could watch with your significant other? Or maybe even a ceremonial candle you could light? Whether you’re preparing a special dinner to feast on or waking early to watch the sun rise, think about a tangible way you can usher in the start of the season.
02 | Keep the Christmas lights up
The material thing I miss the most about the holiday season is the lights. They defy the deep, dark nights in such a way that nightfall is almost inviting — and it turns out you actually don’t have to pack them away with the tree and decorations. Draping the white lights that once adorned our Christmas tree over the curtains was a revolutionary, gentle sort of defiance I discovered last year that I could practice all winter long.
03 | Candles, candles, candles
Stock up on those lovely, scented jars of warmth. Put them on every table, night stand, and sturdy surface you can find. Get excessive.
04 | Surround yourself with beautiful artwork
Whether you know and love a local artist’s work, or you’ve downloaded free prints from the National Gallery of Art, you deserve to be surrounded by beauty — especially in the throws of a long, hard winter. I like to keep beautiful images of wintery scenes throughout my home to remind me that winter is beautiful, even if we haven’t yet seen any snowfall and my yard remains barren and brown all season.
05 | Get outside — when you can.
While this one might be a bit hard to practice, (and should be reserved for the warmer days), there are benefits to bundling up and breathing in the fresh air when the temperature is bearable enough. If you have a dog, walking your furry friend is the perfect excuse to get outside, move your body, and soak in what little sun might be peeking through the clouds.
06 | Indulge in your favorite warm drinks
This is the time to pull out all the stops: teas, hot chocolate, coffees, mulled ciders and wines. Don’t hold back. There is no better companion than a warm drink in the winter. (Except maybe books, but we’ll get there.) I recommend purchasing (or thrifting) a special wintering mug to cling to through the season.
07 | Soups, soups, soups
Potato, vegetable, tortellini, chicken — if you can think it, it probably fits in a soup recipe quite nicely. There’s just nothing like a simmering pot of soup on the stove or in the crockpot to feast on when the day is done. Pair it with some freshly baked bread and you’ll go to bed happy, full, and warm.
08 | Schedule screen-free afternoons
It’s all too easy, especially in the winter, to turn on the television or scroll through our phones. And while a wholesome film or a Netflix binge might be just what you need, a scheduled screen-free time can be equally as needed — and arguably more restful. Maybe it’s an hour you take each evening, or certain days of the week you don’t watch television in the evenings, scheduling screen-free time is a special kind of gift that can only benefit your mental and emotional health.
09 | Bring out puzzles, projects, & board games
Solving a crossword or playing a round of your favorite board game with a loved one is a dying art that winter is begging us to revive. And now that you’ve scheduled out some screen-free hours, you can enjoy these forgotten pastimes and maybe even knit a scarf or two.
10 | Keep baskets full of books
In our home, books are friends, too. From seasonal picture books to beloved novels that incite coziness, there is no better time than winter to light a candle and curl up with a good book. I like to keep seasonal books and any current stacks of books we’re reading through at an arm’s reach. When you’re wintering, never be too far from a book.
11 | Hydrate and moisturize
It took a rather serious plight of eczema for me to realize the importance of having a good (and in my case, unscented) moisturizer on hand for the colder months. And because of all the hot drinks you’ll be consuming, you’re going to need to increase your water intake. Your body will thank you for prioritizing these two.
12 | Sleep more
Whenever you can, squeeze in a nap or an early bedtime. Physical rest is especially important for everyone this time of year — and many of us would hibernate with the bears if we could.
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