Winter Wellness: Simple Ways to Stay Healthy Through the Colder Months

By Natalie Hyson (Platinum Member and DWIB Award Winner)

Cold, wet weather, darker days, and long winter nights can have a real impact on our physical and emotional well-being. Traditionally, winter is a season for slowing down, resting, and easing back on the endless “to-do” list.

Yet modern life tells a different story. We’re encouraged to charge into the New Year with fresh resolutions, renewed energy, and an unrealistic expectation to do more, be more, and fix everything by February. No pressure, then.

If you’ve ever made New Year promises to yourself, only to abandon them by the end of January, you’re not failing; you’re being human. The truth is, we’re still meant to be wintering.

Rather than forcing sudden change, winter invites us to nourish our bodies and minds, to restore after the busyness of the festive season, and to make self-care a genuine priority.

Here are some of my favourite ways to support winter wellness gently and sustainably.

Mindful Mornings

How you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Avoid reaching for your phone as soon as you wake up, and try not to take it to bed with you at night. Ease into your morning calmly and intentionally.

Begin with a cup of lemon, ginger, and honey tea. This simple ritual supports your immune system, aids digestion, hydrates your body, and provides a natural boost of vitamin C, particularly helpful during cold and flu season.

Move Your Body Before Breakfast

You don’t need an intense workout to feel the benefits of movement. Even ten minutes can make a difference.

Try a gentle yoga sequence, some free-flow shaking, or a quick dance around the kitchen. Movement first thing in the morning helps lift your mood, increase energy levels, and release stiffness from sleep.

Get Outside Every Day

Fresh air works wonders, even in small doses. A ten-minute walk outdoors can significantly improve your mood and mental clarity.

Take time to notice nature around you, the changing seasons, the light, the stillness. Mother Earth is one of the most powerful medicines available to us, and it’s completely free.

Create a Supportive Sleep Routine

Quality rest is essential in winter. Establish a calming bedtime routine and begin it around an hour before sleep.

Switch off screens, go to bed earlier, and allow your body to wind down naturally. A warm bath or shower, a nourishing drink such as chamomile tea or warm milk, gentle stretching for the neck and shoulders, and a few slow breaths can all help signal to your nervous system that it’s time to rest.

If your mind feels busy, try writing down anything that needs releasing before bed, and read something that nourishes rather than stimulates.

Make Self-Care Non-Negotiable

Winter is not the season for over-commitment. Reduce your activities where possible and practise saying no to things you feel you should do but don’t truly want or need to.

Protecting your time and energy helps you create healthier boundaries, which is especially important for women juggling work, business, family, and community commitments.

Let Nature Lead the Way

Nature shows us exactly what we need in winter: slow down, keep warm, and nourish deeply.

Seasonal vegetables turned into comforting soups and stews, more sleep and rest, and fewer demands on your energy all help you store strength for the coming months. Spring will arrive, and when it does, you’ll be ready.

Stay Connected

Connection is a powerful antidote to winter isolation. Spend time with people who uplift you, nurture meaningful relationships, and reach out to friends you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Small moments of connection matter too, a chat in your local shop, a visit to the library, or a coffee stop can lift your spirits more than you might expect.

Devon Women in Business online networking events are free and offer a welcoming space to share what’s on your mind, connect with like-minded women, and feel inspired, all from the comfort of your own home.

Find Out More

If you’d like support with creating a Winter Wellness routine that works for you, Natalie would love to help.

📧 Email: [email protected]