5 Self Care Practices for Winter
1. Reevaluate your daily routine
With shorter and shorter days approaching Winter Solstice, I find my regular routine pushing up against the boundaries of daylight. I frequently work days that start before the sunrises and end after the sunsets. I feel sleepier and wanting to go to sleep earlier but aren't sure if I should. All these things tell me, something needs to change.
Make a chart with 3 columns. In the first left column, write out your hour by hour routine each day starting with the earliest hour you wake up and the latest hour you go to sleep. In the middle column write out your usually activities each hour including brushing your teeth, making meals, working, exercise, etc. In the final column, mark indicators of the usual hour sunrise and sunset in your hometown, then adjust your daily routine by what you think will best suit you. For example, I may rearrange walking my dog so that I don't have to walk in the dark and switch it with the times I usually exercise or cook breakfast/dinner.
2. Set self-care goals for the rest of the year
I recently read that the way we punish or neglect ourselves is the opposite of our love-languages. For example, if our love-language is quality time with others we may isolate ourselves more and spend less time out of the house. If our love language is words of affirmation, we may talk negatively to ourselves. To break this cycle, set goals to love yourself within your specific love language throughout the end of the year. Make an effort to see or talk to loved ones at least 1xweek or tell yourself positive affirmations everday.
3. Try SKY breathwork meditation
SKY is an acronym for Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and is a pranayama (breathwork) practice that has been scientifially proven to help you regulate your emotions. SKY can be a little more complex than other breathwork such as box breathing. It consists of 4 major parts:
Ujjayi "Victorious Breath" - slow breathing, at a rate of 2-4 breaths a minute to control airflow and airway resistance
Bhastrika "Bellows Breath" - rapid inhaling and forceful exhaling at rate of 30 breaths per minute
an "Om" chant - chanting "om" 3 times with prolonged exhale
Sudarshan Kriya - following rhythmic, cyclical breathing at slow, medium and fast cycles
Watch an introduction to SKY here.
Try this guided SKY mediation here.
4. Refresh your space
I love holiday decorating, the glowy soft lights and sparkling decorations make everything feel romanticized for me. Decorating can be one way to positively change your environment to help you be more atuned to the present and appreciative for the living space you have. Conversely, it can also highlight clutter and the amount of "stuff" you have out on a regular basis. Use decorating as an excuse to clear out clutter, donate belongings you don't use anymore and give your space the deep clean you deserve.
5. Create a solo holiday tradition
For most people, holiday traditions by definition have been passed down through generations. Meaning, we have little input in what is a tradition for our families and the practices may or may not align with who we are and what we value. This is your chance to change this. Although, you may still find yourself participating in family traditions out of nostaligia or social pressure, you can always add one of your own. Brainstorm ideas that appeal to you and what makes you happiest during the holidays. You could plan a day where you buy a hot cocoa or peppermint mocha and go Christmas shopping at local businesses. You could plan an evening where you listen to your favorite happy music on repeat while wrapping presents, crafting decorations, or making candles. You could start the holiday off by going for a solo walk before anyone else wakes up to feel regulated before seeing family. Either way, pick something for you (not anyone else). Make a committment to do it this year and next year too.