For some people, the winter period is just a time to get through until spring arrives. Shorter days, longer nights, and colder weather are all reasons that can leave us feeling reminiscent of warmer, summer days.
But there are plenty of reasons to feel positive about the winter period too – including delicious comfort food, and time spent cosying up and mentally recharging for all the exciting things that lie ahead.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of five ideas to help you make the most the most of winter.
1. Spice up your winter wardrobe
Whether you’re into fashion or simply want to spice up your wardrobe, winter can be the perfect time to get creative with your clothing choices.
For example, layering is a great technique to try in the winter because not only is it stylish, but it’ll keep you warm too.
For women, layering outfits could mean styling winter dresses with a fashionable base layer (like a classic roll neck) and adding a warm, colourful cardigan on top; while men might like to experiment with winter jumpers and overcoats. For ideas on how to layer outfits, check out this woman’s guide to layering your outfit from The Woman Re-Imagined, or this guide to layering men’s clothes from Dark Knot.
Winter is the ideal time to have fun with various accessories too because the chilly weather leaves us frequently reaching for hats, scarves, and cosy gloves to keep us warm. Next and T.K.Maxx have a great range of winter accessories for men, as do House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer for women.
The shorter, darker days can also leave many of us dreaming about brighter days, so why not bring some cheer to your winter wardrobe by adding a pop of colour?
Naturally, many of us may feel more comfortable sticking to neutral colours, but introducing even the smallest amount of colour can make all the difference – not only to how stylish an outfit looks, but to our mood too.
To get started, you might like to start by adding a bright accessory to your outfit (such as a scarf), or pairing a bright jumper with darker trousers. Our article, 10 tips for dressing with colours and confidence, has plenty more ideas.
2. Indulge in comforting food and drink
On chilly evenings, sometimes there’s nothing better than cosying up with a warm drink, baking a sweet treat, or tucking into a comforting meal.
Getting creative in the kitchen can also be an excellent hobby to take up in the winter – particularly if you’re spending less time outside. Even if you don’t fancy cooking for yourself, you could always take something round to a friend or neighbour to cheer up their day.
From hearty casseroles, to warming pies and tasty soups, everyone has their own idea of what the ideal winter meal looks like. Luckily, the food and drink section on our website is full of various comforting meal ideas, like these 12 best soup recipes, 10 best slow cooker recipes, and these pie recipes from around the world.
You’ll find plenty of inspiration for drinks too. Our list of delicious hot drinks to warm you up on a cold day has everything from hot chocolate to gingerbread and spiced chai lattes.
Or, to get in the holiday mood, why not give some of our festive recipes a go? From cranberry gin and mulled wine, to mince pies, and Christmas baking ideas, these recipes can offer some warmth and comfort.
Lastly, If you enjoy eating with the seasons or home-growing your fruit and veg, it’s worth having a read of our article; What fruit and vegetables are in season now? The winter season brings in a wide variety of tasty fruit and vegetables like apples, brussel sprouts, celeriac, and parsnips.
3. Explore the great outdoors
While many of us naturally spend more time inside during the winter, there are also plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
For example, planning a day trip to different UK attractions sites shouldn’t be an activity reserved only for the warmer months. In fact, the beautiful green spaces, historic houses, and ancient monuments listed in our articles, 10 of the best National Trust places to visit and 15 of the best castles to visit in the UK, can sometimes look even more magical with a touch of frost. Plus, you’re more likely to beat the crowds during winter.
There can also be something quite magical about wrapping up and heading outside for a winter walk; smelling the fresh winter air, feeling the crunch of leaves underneath your feet, and seeing your breath in front of you when it’s especially cold. Just remember to pack a hot drink!
To get some ideas for where to venture next, why not check out our list of 14 of the best autumn and winter walks in the UK for inspiration?
Alternatively, if you like the idea of getting outside during winter but don’t want to venture too far from home, you could spend some time stargazing or gardening.
While many of us do more gardening in the spring and summer, there’s plenty to be done during winter too. Our article, 8 things to sow and grow in the garden this autumn and winter and our month by month planting calendar, have plenty of handy tips and advice. If you don’t have a garden, you might like to have a read of our 9 tips for gardening in small spaces too.
4. Get creative or learn a new skill
Winter can be the ideal time to get stuck into new indoor projects that you might not have had time for earlier in the year.
For example, you could catch up on some reading, get involved in music, or make a dent in some of the various films and series on your watch list. We’ve got a whole host of ideas in the art and culture section of our website if you’d like some inspiration on what to watch, read, or listen to.
Spending more time inside is also a great excuse to get creative and/or learn a new skill or craft. You’ll find plenty of inspiration for fun and productive ways to spend your time in the learning and art sections of our website – from brushing up your digital skills to learning a craft such as calligraphy, knitting, or upholstery from scratch.
We also have a specific list of winter-focused arts and crafts projects to get stuck in to.
5. Practise self-care
Most of us will be familiar with the term ‘winter blues’, and it’s true that for some people winter can be difficult for mental health.
As a result, taking time to practise self-care and take part in mood-boosting activities can make a world of difference to how we feel.
This includes things like socialising, exercising, and getting outside – and while this can often seem less appealing during the colder months, it remains as important as ever.
From research, we know that exposure to sunlight, exercise, and even laughing can trigger healthy and emotional changes in the body that not only keep our immune system healthy but make us feel good too.
If you’re in need of some inspiration and ideas for how to stay active this winter, have a read of our article; 11 fitness motivation ideas for winter. Remember, the exercise doesn’t need to be vigorous or even outdoors to be effective. Simply taking yourself on a short walk or completing an indoor exercise can change how we feel.
If you have some time to spare you might also like to consider volunteering in your community either in person online. Research shows that volunteering is not only a great way to give back, but is good for our own wellbeing too. You can search for volunteering opportunities through our website, or browse our list of volunteering options if you haven’t yet found a cause close to your heart.
Lastly, practising gratitude, mindfulness, and allowing yourself enough ‘me-time’ are all wonderful ways to take care of yourself this winter too. For more ideas take a look at our article; 33 self-care ideas to boost your mental and physical health this winter.
Final thoughts...
While the winter can seem long and drawn out, we hope this article has shown that there are plenty of ways to make the most of the colder months, instead of wishing them by.
For further reading, why not check out our article; 10 different activities to help you embrace the winter season?