Winter Wellness: How to Slow Down, Restore Your Energy, and Live More Seasonally
hello!
I don’t know about you, but the last couple months felt… like a lot.
Like the universe was running on double espresso while the rest of us were just trying to keep up. So much to do, not enough time, and somehow everything felt urgent. And now? I’m tired. Like deeply tired.
If you’re feeling that too, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not doing anything wrong. Honestly, your body is just doing what it’s supposed to do this time of year. Winter is nature’s giant “slow down” sign. It’s the season of going inward, resting more, and not pretending you’re a productivity robot.
So, instead of pushing through like we always do, let’s talk about how to actually take care of yourself with the season, not against it. Winter wellness, cozy self-care, Ayurveda tips, and small shifts that help your nervous system chill out — literally.
Take a breath. Let’s do this the gentle way.
Why Winter Feels So Intense (Even When We’re Supposed to Slow Down)
Winter is supposed to be all peaceful and cozy, right?
Hot tea. Blankets. Quiet nights. Soft introspective energy.
And yet somehow… it’s also the season of:
Endless holiday expectations
A million decisions
“Finish the year strong!” pressure
Family drama
Social obligations you didn’t actually want
Shorter days (AKA your brain thinks it’s bedtime at 4:15 pm)
It makes sense if you’ve been exhausted, moody, or feeling a little crispy around the edges.
Nature is slowing down but humans are speeding up — it’s a weird mismatch. Trees are resting. Animals are hibernating. Meanwhile we’re over here trying to meal prep, meet deadlines, and keep up with group chats.
Winter isn’t the problem.
Our refusal to slow down with winter is the problem.
Understanding Winter Through the Lens of Nature & Ayurveda
Ayurveda describes winter as a mix of Vata (cold, dry, airy) and Kapha (slow, heavy, grounding). Basically, it's the season that wants you to:
Chill out (literally and metaphorically)
Rest more
Drink warm things
Eat comforting foods
Wrap yourself in blankets like a burrito
Stop overcomplicating your life
Your body is naturally more tired right now because that’s how the season works. You’re not losing motivation. You’re not falling behind. You’re syncing up with nature — which is kind of the whole point of seasonal living.
Winter isn’t asking you to quit your job and become a monk in the forest… it’s just asking you to stop sprinting.
Tip #1: Honor Rest Like It’s Medicine
In winter, rest isn’t optional — it’s the assignment.
Your body genuinely needs more sleep, more quiet, and more downtime. Think of it like updating your internal software. If you push through it, everything glitches. If you give yourself space, everything works better.
Some simple winter rest ideas:
Go to bed earlier
Take your mornings slow
Say “no” more often
Hide under a blanket with a hot drink whenever possible
Protect your alone time like it’s a rare gemstone
Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb without guilt
And if resting feels uncomfortable (which is very common — especially for high-achievers), it might be your nervous system resisting the shift. My free Find Inner Peace Fast meditation can help soften that “what do you mean… slow down??” feeling.
Tip #2: Create Nourishing Winter Rituals (That Don’t Feel Like Work)
Winter rituals don’t need to be complicated or aesthetic. They just need to feel grounding and cozy in a way that your body actually likes.
Try a few of these:
Warm oil massage (abhyanga) — sesame oil is your winter bestie
Hot drinks all day — ginger tea, golden milk, cinnamon tea, anything warm
Sunlight in the morning (even just a few minutes helps)
A nightly “wind down” cue — candle, soft music, dimmed lights
A five-minute grounding pause during the day
Your rituals don’t have to be perfect.
They just have to feel good.
If you want more personalized nervous system–friendly routines, my Inner Sanctuary program is made for exactly this season of life.
Tip #3: Eat and Move in Alignment With the Season
Winter cravings are not random — they’re biology + Ayurveda.
Ayurveda teaches that your digestive fire (agni) is actually stronger in winter, which means now is the perfect time for warm, comforting, nourishing foods.
Think:
Soups and stews
Roasted root veggies
Whole grains
Warming spices (ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom)
Healthy fats
Warm drinks
Seasonal produce
Foods that make you exhale after the first bite
This is not the season for cold salads and iced drinks. Your body wants warmth. Give it warmth.
For movement, focus on anything that feels energizing without draining you:
Walking
Yoga
Low-impact strength
Stretching
Easy dance sessions in your kitchen
Slow, intentional movement
This is not the season for punishing intensity. This is the season for kindness.
Tip #4: Make Space for Reflection & Inner Work
Winter is basically the introvert of the seasons. It wants you to go inward, get quiet, and listen.
This is the perfect time for:
Journaling
Meditation
Dreamwork
Reconnecting with your inner voice
Asking: “What do I actually want next year?”
Letting feelings surface (instead of powering through them)
You don’t have to figure out your whole life right now.
You just have to stop ignoring yourself long enough to hear what your intuition has been trying to say.
Tip #5: Let the Darkness Teach You Something
The long nights of winter aren’t here to depress you — they’re here to slow you down enough to notice what’s been under the surface.
Darkness invites rest. It asks for softness. It removes the pressure to be “on” all the time.
You are not meant to glow 24/7. You’re not a human LED bulb.
You get to dim. You get to quiet. You get to retreat.
Winter is the season where you’re allowed — and encouraged — to just be.
When Doing Less Feels Uncomfortable
If you're used to being productive, helpful, responsible, on top of everything… slowing down might feel all kinds of wrong.
You might feel:
Anxious
Restless
Guilty
Like you're “falling behind”
Like you’re doing winter wrong (you’re not)
This is simply a sign that your nervous system has been in overdrive — probably for a while.
Winter isn’t here to make you feel lazy.
It’s here to help you reset.
If you want simple tools to calm your system without overthinking it, my From Stressed to Steady Guide is a great winter companion.
Winter isn’t something to push through — it’s something to lean into.
When you let yourself rest, soften, and live slower, your whole body exhales. Your mind clears. Your energy rebuilds. And you start the next season from a place of steadiness instead of burnout.
If this winter is calling you inward, trust that.
And if you want support finding your rhythm again, my Inner Sanctuary 1:1 coaching is here to help you reconnect to the version of you that feels grounded, steady, and deeply well.
Wishing you warmth, slowness, and an unapologetically cozy winter. 🌙✨