I Let Myself Go Every Winter: Here's How I'm Breaking the Cycle
- Cassie Wilson
- Dec 16, 2025
- 4 min read
I hate winter. Always have, always will. Simply put: I'm not cut out for it!
It's like one day you're living your best fall life with pumpkin spice everything and cozy hoodies, and the next thing you know, it's dark at 4 PM and you're wondering if hibernation is a viable life choice for humans.
Can I spill confessionals all over you for a sec? Every year around this time I consciously and willingly let myself go, here’s how:
I become even more of an introvert
I gain 10-15 pounds of winter weight because “I’m going to be inside anyways” (plus, I hate going to the gym when it's cold and dark)
I turn to takeout for comfort and convenience (Hakka food and pizza fuel my lifeline)
I don’t keep up with regular maintenance like getting my toes done or waxing
My comfort accessory is a beanie (because I don’t want to do my hair). This comfort beanie often results in a splash of pesky forehead pimples
Do you see where the spiral begins to get out of hand? All round, things are rough - I don’t look good, I don’t feel good and the only consistency in my winter-life is making bad decisions. The struggle to get through life for 4-5 months is brutal.
4-5 months is A LOT of time!
Time that I’m not willing to waste this year. And I know I’m not the only one!
So I did some research and reflection, creating some inspiration for all of us. As always, take what resonates, leave what doesn’t and share your own tips and tricks in the comments 😉.
Getting a Head Start
Mid-September, as soon as I could smell the crispness in the air, I immediately began preparing for the war on winter.
Supplements I Ordered:
Vitamin D (most people are deficient in winter)
Omega-3 supplements (good if you're not getting enough from food)
B vitamins for energy
Iron pills
Vitamin C to help Iron absorbency
Elderberry gummies (so helpful when you feel those first signs of sickness)
Switching Up The Meal Plan
Your gut and your brain are best friends. What you eat directly impacts how you feel.
During winter, we naturally crave carbs and comfort food, so keep an eye out. Do your research, sure, at the same time, keep track of how foods affect your body. Here's how I like to do things:
8 hour eating window, starting at 12pm/1pm
Sweet treats allowed, but only before 5pm
Lunch is heavier than dinner, taper off meals as the day progresses
Soups, stews and veggies stay on my meal prep rotation
Preparing Your Space
Your environment matters SO much, especially when you're spending more time indoors.
Tip For Your Space:
Invest in soft blankets and comfortable pillows
Use warm lighting - string lights, candles, lamps, your Christmas tree
Add plants
Keep spaces clean and organized (clutter = mental chaos)
Create different "zones" for different activities so you're not just rotting in bed all day
Pick a "signature scent" - candles, wax melts, incense, essential oils etc.
Make your home a place that energizes you rather than drags you down.
Things to Make a Priority:
Moving Your Body (Even When It's the LAST Thing You Want to Do)
I know. I KNOW.
When it's cold and dark, the couch is calling your name.
You don't need to become a gym rat or train for a marathon… I’d never tell you to do that, lol. Commit to a workout schedule and uphold it!
Winter-Friendly Movement Ideas:
Dance parties in your living room (I like to dance as I clean, checkout my Spotify Playlists HERE)
YouTube workout videos, check out Tara’s Body (she has amazing options)
Winter walks bundled up like the Michelin Man
Winter walks indoor - my walking pad has changed my life!
Indoor swimming at a heated pool (it’s giving luxury)
Yoga or stretching while watching your favourite show
Mall walking (leave your wallet in the car or give yourself a spending limit because shit happens)
The goal is just to get your heart rate up and your endorphins flowing. Even 15 minutes counts!
Stay Social (Even When You'd Rather Not)
Winter makes us want to isolate. It's natural. Human connection is crucial, even for introverts, so start getting some dates on that calendar!
Low-Pressure Social Activities:
Virtual coffee dates
Movie nights at home with friends
Join a book club or hobby group
Schedule regular phone calls with long-distance friends
Volunteer - helping others genuinely improves your own mood
A Morning Routine Is Necessary
How you start your day sets the tone for everything else.
When you're dealing with winter depression, a solid morning routine is non-negotiable. Morning routines look different for everyone, so you’re going to have to play around for a bit to create something optimal for YOU.
Suggested Winter Morning Formula:
Wake up at a consistent time
Move your body for at least 10 minutes - if I’m not going to the gym or walking on my walking pad as soon as I wake up, I do some light cleaning around the house
Make your bed! PLEASE! This tiny accomplishment will give you momentum for the day
Eat a protein-rich breakfast (this is what the internet says, but I typically don’t eat until 12pm-1pm)
Take your vitamins! Put them somewhere that makes it easy to remember
Do something for yourself before checking your phone!
It sounds like a lot, but once it's a habit, it takes maybe 45 minutes and the payoff is HUGE.
Winter Sleep Tips:
Use blackout curtains so you control when light enters your space
Get sunlight exposure in the morning to regulate your circadian rhythm
Limit screen time before bed (the blue light messes with melatonin)
Create a relaxing bedtime routine - bath, tea, reading, writing, whatever works
Go to bed at the same time daily*
Your Action Plan
Okay, let's make this practical. Here's your assignment for beating the winter blues:
This Week:
Schedule two social activities for the next month
Add one mood-boosting food to your grocery list
Commit to 30 minutes of movement daily
This Month:
Establish a consistent morning routine
Makeover one space in your home to be cozier
Plan a winter activity
Closing Notes:
Winter doesn't have to be something we just survive.
Product Reco:
*recently, I heard someone say to go to bed an hour before you want to sleep, give yourself that buffer time needed to wind down.
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