Seasonal Self-Care: How I’m Avoiding the Winter Slump
December is here and I can hardly believe it. This year has moved at lightning speed! It feels like just yesterday I was hearing fireworks ring in the New Year, and now I’m double-checking my Christmas shopping list. Lately, I’ve been asking myself the same question over and over: Where did the time go?
Even with time flying, I’m grateful. Grateful for another year of life, for the people I love, and for the little moments that made this year special. This time of the year has always been one of my favorites—family gatherings, cozy nights, festive treats, and that magical feeling in the air as the weather cools down.
But here’s the thing: this time of year also invites a slower pace, and I welcome that. Still, I’ve decided to approach winter differently this time—more intentionally. As the days grow shorter and the world settles in, I’m already thinking about how to stay ahead of the dreaded winter slump (or what some call seasonal depression).
That’s why this post is all about the intentional steps I’m taking to give my self-care routine some extra TLC this winter. For me, self-care isn’t just about staying cozy or indulging in little luxuries—it’s about caring for my body physically and nurturing my spiritual well-being. The choices I’m focusing on in the coming months aren’t rigid rules; they’re mindful practices to help me feel grounded, connected, and uplifted during the colder season. And hopefully, they’ll inspire you to do the same.
So let’s get into it!
1. Spending Time Developing My Relationship with God
As a woman with anemia, even the slightest chill in the air makes me uncomfortably cold—so the fact that Houston temperatures have already dipped into the 30s has me rattled! Thankfully, I have a go-to solution: cozying up indoors next to my space heater, wrapped in blankets. It’s the perfect setting to open my Bible and dive into meaningful study sessions. Not just reading, but truly engaging with the text—taking notes, reflecting, and deepening my understanding of God’s Word.
Strengthening my relationship with God has been on my heart for a while, and winter feels like the perfect season to nurture that desire. While spending time with Him is important year-round, this season gives me the space to slow down and care for my soul.
Along with Bible study, I’m planning to immerse myself in sermons, faith-based podcasts, and moments of personal praise and worship—unplugging from distractions and plugging into the Source for the peace and guidance I need.
We often hear about prioritizing physical health when seasonal depression peaks, but I believe spiritual care should come first. Seeking God’s presence during this time keeps your spirit lifted and your heart aligned—the most powerful defense against the winter slump.
2. Prioritizing Stillness and Rest for the Body and Mind
Rest might sound like an obvious part of self-care, but for me, it’s something I have to be intentional about. It doesn’t always come naturally—especially with ADHD and the constant mental stimulation of everyday life. Physical rest is important, but mental rest? That’s the real challenge.
This winter, I’m making a conscious effort to slow down and embrace stillness through low-dopamine activities that help quiet my mind and recharge my spirit. Things like reading, writing, and arts and crafts—simple, nourishing practices that allow me to step away from the noise. I might even pick up a new skill while I have the extra time!
Creating a calmer mental space makes it easier for my body to tap into deep, restorative sleep—the kind this season naturally calls for. It also gives me the peace I need to feel more present and move through the day with less stress and anxiety.
Slowing down and resting—without guilt—is one of the best gifts I can give myself this winter. It’s easy to feel “lazy” when life gets quieter, but I’ve learned that when the season offers you an opportunity to rest, you should take it. And that’s exactly what I plan to do in the months ahead.
3. Planning Activities Away from Home
You might be thinking: Did she just say she’s prioritizing rest and planning to be away from home? Yes, I did—because too much of anything can throw you off balance!
While I want to embrace rest, I also know I need to get out of the house and enjoy life. To make that happen, I’m intentionally planning activities and trips so I don’t end up stir-crazy from being home every evening. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean life has to stop!
I’ll admit—this is new for me. Normally, I’m spontaneous and go out when I feel like it. But over the years, I’ve noticed that cold weather makes me want to do absolutely nothing after a while. So this year, I’m trying something different: planning ahead. When I have events on my calendar to look forward to, I’m much more likely to show up—and I hope this simple strategy becomes a habit I can carry year after year.
That said, I’ve already lined up a few trips to visit family and friends and soak up the holiday cheer! Plus, I’ve added weekend activities I’m excited about—jazz clubs, new eateries, local events, volunteer opportunities, and more. This kind of intentional planning is how I intend to harmonize rest with adventure and make the most of this winter season.
4. Aligning My Physical Care for the Season
One thing I really struggle with toward the end of the year is taking care of myself physically - especially when it comes to consistently hitting the gym. It’s so easy for me to fall into the habit of lounging around all day and skipping my sessions in the evenings.
Maybe it’s the thought of layering up just to peel everything off once I get there, making that after-dark post-work drive when I’m already cozy at home, or having to muster up the energy for heavy lifting at high reps. Whatever the reason, the truth is—it’s my least favorite thing to do in winter.
The last thing I’m prioritizing is how I’m aligning my approach to physical care for the season. Instead of wearing myself out with intense gym sessions, I’m focusing on mobility, flexibility, recovery, low-impact exercises, and cardio. My goal is to stay active in a way that feels sustainable, enjoyable, and aligned with the season - and this is how I plan to do it:
At-Home Low-Impact Workouts for Exercise and Mobility
I’ll be incorporating simple, low-impact exercises at home to keep my body moving without overexerting myself. These workouts are perfect for days when I don’t feel like leaving the house but still want to stay active.
I’m looking forward to YouTube Pilates workouts and 30-minute bodyweight sessions—especially in the room we’ve started turning into a home gym! Pilates is one of my favorite forms of exercise for mobility because it pushes your body to new limits of range of motion. And of course, a good bodyweight session will always do the trick for a low-impact daily workout.
Cardio Workouts
One of my favorite low-impact workouts is walking. Whether I’m outside at the park, on a neighborhood trail, or at the gym on the treadmill, I always feel refreshed after a good 30-minute to 1-hour walk. Over the past year, I’ve even grown to enjoy running!
I’ll be doing more cardio-focused workouts instead of adding them onto the tail end of a lifting session. My main goal is to stay active in a way that helps me remain consistent, and this is the perfect way for me to get started.
Incorporating Regular Recovery Sessions: Stretching, Spa Treatments, and Restorative Baths
There’s nothing worse than waking up stiff and sore after a long day or an intense workout. Although I always stretch before exercising, I’ve recently started incorporating daily stretching to my self-care routine, and it’s already making a huge difference. I like to stretch right after a hot shower—either in the morning or before bed—so my muscles are warm and relaxed. It helps me feel less stiff after long hours of sitting or standing at work—the perfect way to aid in flexibility and daily recovery.
I also love spending time at the spa—or creating my own personal spa day at home. Going to the spa is the perfect way to customize treatments for what my body needs in the moment, and at-home spa days can be just as relaxing. This winter, I plan to incorporate Swedish massages, hammam and salt baths for a more restorative experience. These help improve circulation (especially since I won’t be moving as much), relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
When I create my own spa day at home, I go all out—a manicure, full pedicure, salt bath, shampoo and deep conditioning treatment, and a warm body oil massage. Whether I’m spending a day at the spa or recreating the experience at home, incorporating recovery treatments that make me feel good physically is one of my favorite ways to nurture my body and keep my spirit lifted. It’s a simple reminder that caring for yourself—inside and out—can transform how you feel in any season.
And there you have it—a look at the intentional steps I’m taking this winter to sprinkle a little extra love into my self-care routine and avoid the dreaded winter slump! It might sound like a lot, but honestly, these are just mindful adjustments to things I already do, with a little extra thought about what will serve me best this season. Because if I go into winter without a plan, I’ve already set myself up for failure.
I’m confident that staying consistent with these practices will help me come out on the other side feeling refreshed and grounded. Either way, I can’t wait to share what’s working—and what’s not! I hope you found some inspiration here, or at the very least enjoyed reading along.
I’ll check back in mid-January with updates on how everything is going.
Until then, stay warm, stay focused, and I’ll see you in the next post!