Winter Wellness - Tips from Our True Resilience Team
Canadian winters are tough, especially this winter in Toronto with the major snowstorms and the challenges just to get outside! Our team at True Resilience have put together some of our personal favourite tips to share, in hopes that these little ways of coping with the winter weather may help you.
We get that wellness tips are so personal, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all solutions. So, we’ve gotten tips from each member of the team, so you have many options and ideas to find what fits your life.
Tips from Lifei:
In the winter I incorporate hot water in everything! Taking a hot bath or shower not only brings my body temperature up, but I also like to take a moment to close my eyes and feel how good the warmth feels. Taking a little mindfulness break in the shower or bath is a small way that helps me connect my mind and body.
Another thing I’ve been doing is having ginger lemon tea. Not only does it help clear inflammation and boost your immune system, which is so important this time of year, but it’s also very calming and helps soothe my mind.
Tips from Alice:
I attended a webinar recently on winter mental health, and was inspired by the discussion on self-compassion. I notice lower motivation and a lack of energy in winter, and I know we can jump to judging ourselves for “not doing enough,” or “not working hard” and that these thoughts can add an extra layer of stress and self-criticism through a time that’s already challenging!
I try to remind myself that it’s not my fault that I feel this way, but it’s actually a normal biological and seasonal response. Getting less daylight affects our Serotonin and Vitamin D levels, which affects our mood and energy regulation.
With all this in mind, I try to slow down when I need to and adjust my expectations as acts of self-care. And the more I can do this, I find it easier to move through the season with less self-criticism and more kindness.
Tips from Kristal:
During the dark and cold winter months, I tend to embrace the things that are cozy and warm indoors. Find a space in your home (could be a whole room or even just a corner of the living room, for example) to create a cozy little sanctuary for yourself. Think about what you find comforting and cozy and incorporate it in the space.
I love my fuzzy slippers, warm-toned string lights, and a winter-themed mug to enjoy a nice, warm cup of tea in the morning before work or at the end of the day. Give yourself permission to enjoy and soak in all of the cozy sensations on your own, or if you prefer, invite your loved ones to share the space and cozy vibes with them.
Tips from Jill:
Creating a ritual around light and aromatherapy is my go-to tip for staving off the winter blues. As my workday winds down and the sun (what little there is) starts to disappear, lighting a candle (or turning on my candle warmer) helps activate my parasympathetic nervous system and signals that it’s time to shift into rest. It’s simple, but in winter, when my energy is naturally lower, it’s a ritual I can actually stick with consistently. I personally love grounding scents like sandalwood, lavender, and eucalyptus.
Bonus tip: I’m also a big fan of lighting a candle at the beginning of the workday, because life is just too short! If I’m going that route, I’ll reach for something energizing like lemon or peppermint to put a little pep in my step.
Tips from Amy:
I love reading, and I always find it easier to get myself to commit to something when there’s an external commitment. So to help myself get outside in the winter, I put books on hold at my local library.
For those not familiar with the Toronto Public Library, when you put books on hold, they’ll deliver the books to your home branch. When the book arrives, you have 7 days to pick up the book, or else the hold will expire and you’ll be charged $1 dollar.
I know if I left it up to myself, I probably wouldn’t opt to leave my warm, cozy home, so this method gives me a reason to leave my house. And usually, even though it’s cold, I do feel better having spent some time getting natural light, connecting with the outside world, and gently moving my body.
As you can see, everybody does things a little differently. I hope these tips have given you some inspiration for how you might find some comfort through this winter.
I (Amy) encourage you to think through - what is your favourite scent? What’s a way you can motivate yourself to get some movement and take a walk outside, whether that’s through a library holds system or just visiting your favourite coffee shop? And how can you introduce moments of pause, rest, and relaxation into your daily routine?
If you have any other small tips you can share with our True Resilience community, feel free to leave a comment down below!
And if you do feel like you’d benefit from therapy - because that’s one of the un-named tips our team always believes in - you can also connect with each member of our team here.
