Seasonal Self-Care: How to Transition your Wellness Routine for Colder Months

Well, we all feel it. When the clocks change for daylight savings time and we “gain an hour of sleep” but at the price that it’s FRICKEN DARK AT 4PM….

Sorry, it’s just not my favourite time of year when it gets dark so early because it feels like I should be in bed sleeping by 6:30pm MAX.

This transitions nicely into the topic at hand today, self-care in the colder months. This time of year really is about slowing down, nourishing, grounding, and letting go. We see it through nature by the darkness, the leaves falling from the trees, and fall veggies thriving.

Our bodies begin to whisper a familiar message to us: slow down, soften, nourish.

After having a fast-paced summer with all the plans and momentum to go-go-go because that’s the vibe of summer, it can be hard mentally to accept the shift to slow down, especially because we live in a world where endless productivity is celebrated 😮‍💨.

When we follow natures pace and begin to align our habits with the rhythm of this season, everything tends to flow more naturally aka our digestion, our energy, our mood, and even our skin.

So, let’s talk seasonal self-care! This isn’t about doing more, it’s about attuning. Noticing what your body is craving and allowing yourself to meet those needs without guilt.

Why Seasonal Shifts Matter

Following how this part of the world prepares for release and rest, your body also moves more into an inward phase. That drop in sunlight (rip), temperature, and activity changes your hormonal rhythms, your immune system, and even your digestion. Honestly this can be why you start to notice mood changes, dry skin, fatigue (and sadly more) more this time of year.

Instead of fighting those signals, think of this season as your cue to turn inward and tend to yourself.

Fall and winter are bout nourishment. Think: grounding foods, slower movement, cozy rituals, and deep rest.

Because when you sync your wellness routine and self-care practices with nature’s rhythm, you can create steadiness and vitality that carries you through the darker months with more ease and glow.

1. Nourish from the Inside Out
   

Your body actually craves warmth and comfort as the weather becomes colder. Ever notice how you don’t want to eat cold salads, raw foods. or smoothies in the colder months? It’s because they can weaken digestion and actually leave you feeling depleted.

So instead I invite you to focus on warming and grounding meals that stabilize your blood sugar and support that amazing gut of yours. Things such as:

• Roasted root veggies (think: sweet potato, squash, beets)

• Warming spices like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin

• Soups, stews, and slow cooked grains

• Herbal teas like nettle, licorice root, ginger, chai spices

These are foods that are rich in minerals that support your immune system and nervous system to help you feel nourished and not sluggish.

Holistic tip: Drink apple cider vinegar in some warm water 20 minutes before meals to promote good digestion and nutrient absorption.

2. Protect your Energy & Light

I’m sure we can all agree that shorter darker days can take a toll on your energy and motivation. So, in order to support your circadian rhythm and mental clarity you could focus on:

• Getting morning sunlight within an hour of waking as it helps balance melatonin and cortisol

• Priortize rest by getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep allows your body to do what it knows what to best during this time which is repair and detox

• Create cozy rituals such as journaling or meditation and enjoying a cup of herbal tea

Mindset reframe: Resting isn’t lazy or unproductive , it’s your body’s way of renewing energy for what’s next.

3. Slow Down your Movement

Your body craves more gentle and grounding forms of movement in the fall. I want to be clear, this doesn’t mean stopping activity! It means shiftinf your intention.

• Choose yoga, Pilates, or walking over intense cardio if you’re feeling drained

• Focus on mobility, stretching, and breath rather than pushing your performance

• Notice how movement feels rather than how it looks

The goal with this is to cultivate energy, not deplete it this time of year. When your nervous system feels safe and supported, your body can restore and rebuild more effectively.

4. Care for your Skin Naturally

Colder and dryer air affects the skin barrier. So, taking a few small adjustments this season can go a long way.

• Switch to natural facial oils such as coconut oil or jojoba oil

• Exfoliate gently 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin

• Stay hydrated and include healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil (be careful, they are not made equally), ghee, or omega-3s

• Herbal teas with calendula or burdock can assist clearing and supporting your skin from within

Holistic Tip: True radiance starts internally aka hydrated, mineral-rich cells reflect outwardly in your skin 🤩.

5. Listen Within

Seasonal self-care isn’t just about what you do, it’s about how you do it! Move slower. Breathe deeper.

When you pause long enough to listen, your body will tell you what it needs. I know it might sound crazy or scary, but I’m being so for real right now. Don’t knock it till you try it for at least 30 days! So, what does your body need? More rest, more sunlight, more nourishment, or maybe more kindness.

Journaling Prompts: What is my body asking for right now and how can I honour that need this week?

Final Thoughts

As we move more deeply into these darker months, remember that this is your time to replenish and repair. There is no rush to blossom, especially as we come up to what society has dreamed a great time to make new goals (new years….in the dead of winter…). This season is about tending, about creating a foundation of warmth, nourishment, and presence that will carry your glow into the winter ahead.

When you live seasonally, your wellness feels less like a struggle and more like a rhythm, one that brings you back home to yourself 💙.

Peace, love, & organic avocados,

Katie

xoxo