While fall is still thriving, it may be hard to fathom that before we know it, the winds of change will soon be here, the leaves will be off the trees and windshield scraping season will be in full effect. As the calm of fall welcomes shorter days and we are instinctively reaching for longer sleeves on our shirts, cozier blankets on the couch, we can sense the winter working its way in. However, while winter can bring with it the natural slowdown of the season, it’s important to not gear up for a total shut down. Prepare now for this season to be just as fulfilling, active and memorable as any other. By investing in small steps now, we can be sure that snow tires and storm windows aside, we are ready for an intentionally well-lived season that welcomes radical self-care, intentionality and even the added touches of wisdom each winter solace can bring. This winter, it won’t be about surviving but thriving as we welcome the winter months.
How can you make that happen? Preplan and act now! Just as you prepare for a long journey, let’s get ourselves packed up and ready for this beautiful winter ahead using our Winter Wellness Toolkit. Packing your essentials around these six tips for a well W.I.N.T.E.R. is a gentle reminder and open invitation to stay strong, connected, and well in the upcoming season.
W is for Wellness in Motion: We need movement! For those who find it harder to move in the winter or know that less daylight and dropping temperatures may keep them more sedentary than others, now is your chance to plan for success. Think of movement as medicine for the body and the mind! Whether it’s a walk around the kitchen, a chair yoga class online, a high energy Wellness Center class, or bundling up for a brisk loop down the driveway, every step supports circulation, mood, and vitality. You don’t have to break a sweat, just keep moving with kindness and consistency.
I is for Invest in Nutrition. Winter eating takes planning, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Stock up on hearty soups, frozen vegetables, whole grains, and a rainbow of canned or dried fruits now! It’s way easier to make extra trips to the store now, than it will be when the snow and ice hit. How can you pack your freezer and cupboards for the most nutritious winter ever? Think of the essentials you might want or need that you can gather now and save you from excess trips later: oatmeal, broths, frozen vegetables, canned beans, and foods you know will nourish you well this winter.
N is for Nurture Connections. Now is the time to put effort and energy into your relationships, reach out to your social circles and think about who you might need in the months to come. When roads aren’t friendly and your nights start early and stretch long, loneliness can certainly take a simple bad moment, hard day or rough season and make them worse. This is why now is the time to nurture your relationships both near and far. From reconnecting with coworkers, calling friends you might have lost touch with during the busy summertime, and check in! Make plans now for the cooler months ahead. It can be as simple as setting up a weekly call, monthly movie meetups and even just getting together to do a puzzle. This is also the time to reach out for rides or support as you see the appointments filling up the calendar. Letting others help you is a gift, but everyone can use extra planning time, especially in the winter.
T is for Tend to Emotional Wellness. With sweater weather on the way and layers coming on, we want to be sure we aren’t layering ourselves too thick emotionally too! Winter can be hard, and how we layer our stress and find healthy emotional outlets will have a significant impact on our resilience this winter. NOW is the time to start mindful practices like a gratitude journal, revisiting hobbies/crafts, and reaching out to your support people before a struggle might unfold. The most emotionally mature people have safeguards in place whether they are feeling down or up and letting others support you through all seasons is a perfect way to support emotional wellness.
E is for Economize and Plan Ahead. Peace of mind is its own form of wellness and knowing you will have what you need can reinforce the impacts financial wellness can play on our lives. Take a couple of hours or even one day each week this month to review budgets, prepare heating bills, look at realistic gift budgets, and organize essential documents. You might also want to explore all the amazing and free community resources and senior opportunities we have that locally can support our best financial outcomes. Now is the time to seek support for fuel aid, rental support, budgeting advice or even start to get those taxes ready. Preparing now can free your mind long before the snow falls.
R is for Relax and Recharge. Nature shows us exactly how to slow down in the winter, and we can too! After making your preparations for a cozy winter, let rest be part of your daily routine. If you are lucky, it may just follow you into Spring and beyond. Prioritize healthy amounts of sleep, take baths, embrace the opportunity to tuck in with an enjoyable book. Quiet, restorative moments are not luxuries, they’re lifelines towards feeling calm and balanced. Just like movement and nutrition, see if you can make relaxing and recharging a priority, with a balance of all other things wellness.
Ditch the mindset of trying to survive an enormous chunk of our lives every year and embrace the intentional opportunity to enjoy this life in all seasons. Think of this as your WELLNESS tool kit, filled with nourishing meals, gentle movement, meaningful connection, and well-deserved rest that you already have planned for embracing the season ahead. After a lifetime of preparing for what comes next, or just waiting for the next big thing, this can be a time of living, being present and being well. Now’s the time! Go ahead and get ahead! Pack Your W.I.N.T.E.R. Wellness toolkit!