The benefits of wintering

As we eagerly await the start of Spring – the season of rebirth, new beginnings, and brighter, milder days – it’s easy to forget to live in the moment. The art of wintering is the intentional practice of slowing down, adapting to seasonal rhythms and embracing the season as a time for restoration and renewal. And we have a decent stretch of colder weather yet to embrace.

“This time of year often feels bleak,” says our very own Scandi lifestyle expert, Catharina Björkman, who is no stranger to the art of wintering. “The festive cheer long-gone, the return to work and school, the potential magic of snow forgotten, and a keen desire for warmer, brighter days mean it’s easy to forget to enjoy winter for all that it has to offer us.

“Whilst Spring is a time for intention and growth, winter is a time for rest – something we often forget is a necessity and not a luxury. Rather than resisting or wishing away the colder months, these last weeks of winter (that invariably extend into spring) offer us the opportunity to align with nature’s cycle and slow down, focusing on reflection and mindful living.”

Read on for our guide to wintering and it’s benefits below…

• Adopt a slower pace

Intentional winter routines can support emotional balance and resilience, reducing burnout and stress. Most of us spend our lives on-the-go, constantly thinking two, even three steps ahead, caring for family, friends and neighbours, working hard, and always trying to prove our worth. This toxic productivity has no place in winter.

Instead, embrace the shorter, darker days and be intentional with your time. Focus on habits that actually serve where you are right now.

Prioritise work-life balance – while no-one will deny it’s important to work hard and do your job to the best of your ability, the early part of the year is a time for rebalancing. If working late or not taking a lunch break has become a habit, it’s time to address this and set the tone for the rest of year.

Cultivate a wind-down routine and actually spend evenings relaxing. And no, scrolling on social media doesn’t count as relaxation. Calming, quiet activities such as a warm bath, a gentle stretch, journalling, and reading are all ideal. It’s also worth considering if you need to head to bed earlier in the winter months. If you struggle to wake up in the mornings due to the lack of light, heading to bed half an hour earlier may serve you well.

Be mindful of your energy. The last thing anyone wants to do when they get home from work is spend an hour or more chopping, sautéing and boiling. Instead, consider spending your Sunday afternoon food prepping so that, come mid-week, all that’s required is a quick re-heat.

• Make your home a haven

Creating the perfect space to unwind will mean you look forward to evenings spent curled up on the sofa. Warm wool blankets are a must, while decorative candles and seasonal flowers are an easy way to brighten up a space.

Don’t let the lack of daylight hours dim your connection to nature. Make the most of the light we do have by ensuring curtains are open during daylight hours and that windows are unobstructed by furniture. Bring the outdoors in by incorporating additional houseplants into your living space. Snake plants are easy to care for and also act as air purifiers, the fragrant scent of lavender is known to promote relaxation, while the refreshing scent of a peppermint plant can help you feel more energised.

If you want your wintering ritual to feel even more luxurious, invest in cosy loungewear. Forget FOMO as you’ll be too busy embracing JOMO.

• Reignite your creativity

Winter provides space for learning and creativity – both of which are easily put on the backburner due to the demands of modern life. So, if you’ve long harboured a burning desire to learn to play the piano, paint with watercolours, try cross stitching, attend a dance class or write a book, now is the perfect time.

Creative pursuits act as an emotional outlet, reducing stress and anxiety through ‘flow states’ (a mental state of complete absorption in an activity) and releasing feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, improving mood and resilience. It also offers a powerful outlet to process emotions.

On average, it takes 66 days to form a habit, so if you start now, come spring, not only will it be a part of your day-to-day life, but you’ll be benefitting from the sustained boost to mental health.

• Get ‘mysig’

In Sweden, the term ‘mys’ denotes the sense of cosiness – think the warm, cosy feeling of being wrapped up in a blanket with a steaming cup of tea or cocoa.

Mysig is all about taking time to slow down and relax; carving out time away from the stressful outside world to sit quietly and enjoy some moments of peace. Whether it’s half an hour to yourself in the morning before a busy workday or a quiet hour in the evening once the kids have gone to bed, is up to you.

• Embrace ancient rituals

Humans have long been drawn to fire and never more so than during the cold, dark winter months. Providing heat and a glowing focal point for social groups to gather around, the muti-sensory experience of watching the flickering flames, the sounds of crackling and snapping, the warmth on our skin and the lingering scent of firewood, is known to lower blood pressure and promote relaxation.

So, whether you’re having a cosy solo night in or whipping up a weekend feast for loved ones, lighting a fire, a few candles, or even putting a fire video on the TV will offer a cosy setting for both quiet moments of contemplation and as a focal point for socialising.