Winter has a way of slowing the world down. The days are shorter, the air is colder, and suddenly everything feels quieter. Instead of fighting that softness, winter becomes so much more magical when you lean into it and when you let the season guide you toward gentler routines, slower mornings, and habits that make life feel warm from the inside out. If you want this winter to feel calmer, cozier, and a little more meaningful, these habits are the perfect place to start.
Winter Habits That Make Life Nicer
Create a Slow Morning Ritual
Winter mornings hit differently. It is darker and the chill in the air, the urge to stay wrapped in blankets. Make it a ritual instead of a rush. Light a candle, drink something warm, open the curtains slowly, or read a few pages before touching your phone. A slow morning shapes your entire day.
Go Outside Every Day (Even for 10 Minutes)
Fresh air in winter feels crisp in the best way. A short walk, a few breaths on your balcony, or stepping outside with a warm drink can reset your mind instantly. It helps you feel less stuck inside and more connected to the season. And I know it sounds better to stay inside where it is nice and warm. But after a walk you will feel better. Just wear hats and gloves to keep yourself warm. Here in The Netherlands, we don’t get a lot of daylight during the winter, so I try to go outside during the day, especially when the sun is shining.
Romanticize Warm Drinks
Tea, hot chocolate, coffee, or whatever you love. Make it a ceremony: your favorite mug, slow sips, maybe a blanket or a playlist. It’s such a small thing, but it makes winter feel luxurious.
Keep Your Space Cozy and Tidy
You spend more time indoors during winter, so your space matters even more. Soft blankets, pillows warm lights, clean surfaces, and a little intentional tidying make your home feel like a retreat instead of a place you’re trapped in.
Read More (and Escape Into Stories)
Winter and reading go perfectly together. Getting lost in a book feels extra comforting when it’s cold outside. Choose books that feel warm, magical, or inspiring, whatever makes you want to curl up and stay awhile. It is nice to escape to a different world when it is cold outside. You can even read a summer romance, and you will feel like you’re on a vacation to a tropical island.
Practice Gentle Movement
Slow yoga, stretching, cozy pilates, or even a peaceful walk can work wonders for your mood in winter. You don’t need intense workouts, just movement that feels good and keeps your energy from dipping too low. Right now, I love to walk to the supermarket to get some groceries as my exercise. It takes an hour in total, but it feels nice to be outside and move my body.
Cook or Bake Something Simple
Warm meals make cold days feel safer. Try soup, roasted veggies, banana bread, or anything nostalgic. Cooking in winter feels grounding, like an act of care for your future self. But seriously, I am addiced to soup during the colder months. I think I could eat it several times a week. It is simple, delicious and warm.
Take Vitamin D (or Make Time for Sunlight)
Shorter days can affect your mood more than you realize. Getting sunlight when you can, or supplementing if needed, helps you feel more awake, balanced, and grounded through the season. Taking vitamin D is actually recommended if you live somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine often during the darker months. I take vitamin D as well, because the sun rarely shines.
Have Weekly “Offline Hours”
The darker months make scrolling even more tempting, but it also drains your energya lot. Choose an evening or a few hours each week to unplug completely. Read, journal, clean, play music, or rest. It feels like mental uncluttering. Just keep using your screens to a minimum. Your mental health will improve just after a few days.
Reflect More, Rush Less
Winter naturally invites you inward. Journaling, planning, dreaming, or simply sitting with your thoughts helps you reset emotionally. Use this season to connect with yourself, not pressure yourself. It’s the perfect time to make plans for the new year, reflect on yourself and your life. What has been working for you, and what do you want to do more often? Winter is the ideal season to reflect and set new goals.
Photo by Oleksii Berdnikov on Unsplash