Winter Replay - How to Feel Better in Winter: Cozy Rituals & Mindset Shifts That Actually Help

Winter can feel heavy. The darker days, the cold, the shift in energy — it all has a way of pulling us inward, sometimes in ways that feel uncomfortable. For years, I dreaded this season. I fought it, resented it, tried to power through it.

But everything changed when I learned to approach winter the way some of the happiest countries in the world do: by softening into it, creating warmth from the inside out, and intentionally cultivating comfort, connection, and presence.

In this episode of Clear & On Purpose, I share the mindset shifts and simple hygge-inspired practices that helped me stop resisting winter and start embracing it. You’ll hear personal stories, the science behind why winter feels harder for our bodies and emotions, and practical, grounding ways to feel better during the darker months.

This isn’t about “loving winter.” It’s about learning how to support your energy, your emotions, and your home so you can move through the season with more steadiness, light, and joy.

Key Topics We Explore

• Why winter naturally feels more draining — and why that doesn’t mean something is “wrong”
• How Scandinavian countries embrace the dark season and what we can learn from them
• Simple hygge-inspired practices that bring more warmth, comfort, and coziness into your daily life
• Rituals that help your home feel softer and your nervous system more regulated
• How to reframe winter so it feels intentional instead of something you just have to “get through”
• Small, doable shifts for boosting your mood, energy, and sense of connection

Resources Mentioned:

• Join The Village: Click here to connect with our community.
• Sign up for the Momentum Challenge: Click here to get started.

Resources & Links

• Follow Christina @christinaslaback
• Email us at hello@christinaslaback.com
• www.christinaslaback.com

Transcript

 Hi friends, it's Christina This month I'm replaying a few fan favorites to support you through the holidays and into the new year. Whether you're listening again or hearing it for the first time, I hope it gives you exactly what you need today.

 That's when I realized something big. No one was gonna make this change for me. I didn't want my life to be one of angry hibernation for half a year. I didn't want my kids to grow up with that same dread of winter. I knew I needed drastic change for them. Just as much for myself. Welcome to Clear and On Purpose, the podcast design to help you cut through the noise and get back to what matters most.

If you're feeling stuck, but needs take intentional action, you are in the right place. I'm Christina Slayback, homeschooling mom of two and life and business coach, helping you drop in and align with your values. Three more space Each week I'll be sharing practical insights and simple actionable steps to help you find clarity, boost your energy, and design a life that balances ambition with mates.

Let's dive in and get clear on purpose.

Hi, and welcome back to the podcast. Let's be honest, winter can be rough. Have you ever found yourself staring out at the gray skies, refreshing your weather app, hoping for some sunshine and warmth, counting down the days until spring, like a prisoner marking time. If that's you, trust me, you're not alone.

Winter can feel like it drags on forever, and for years I felt completely trapped by it, but I've been able to shift my mindset, find some joy, and even thrive a little in winter. I'm gonna share how I did and some action old bold tips for you to create your own shift. And if you're thinking that's impossible, believe me, I get it.

I've been there a while back. I hit a breaking point. I was sitting in the doctor's office desperate. I'd always felt like I'd been geographically misplaced in the Midwest, but after a few years back home, that feeling hit me harder than ever one particularly brutal winter. I barely recognized myself anymore.

I was tired all the time, angry and resentful. I avoided going outside unless absolutely necessary, and even then just getting into my cold car in the dark frosting mornings, I made my whole body ache when I stumbled across seasonal affective disorder, unironically. Sad for short, something clicked.

Sitting there in my paper gown, I burst into tears telling the doctor I'm just so sad and angry all the time. I have no energy. When she confirmed it was likely seasonal affective disorder and offered an antidepressant, hesitated, well, there's absolutely a time and place for medication. I wanted to find a solution to the problem, something that would address the root cause, not just cover up the symptoms.

That's when I realized something big. No one was gonna make this change for me. I didn't want my life to be one of angry hibernation for half the year. I didn't want my kids to grow up with that same dread of winter. I knew I needed drastic change for them and just as much for myself. I started small. I got my vitamin D levels checked, looked in some natural protocols, and then I came across something that sounded completely crazy at the time.

The 365 outside challenge, the idea was to get outside every day, all year round, no matter the weather. And here I was with a toddler, a baby, and Sub-Zero temperatures. But I knew I had to try At first, it was chaos. My kids didn't like snow gear, and honestly, neither did I. Some days getting everyone ready took longer than the time we actually spent outside.

Even on the hardest days, there were glimmers of lights playing on snow mounds for just 15 minutes between errands or walking through the woods. On days when everything was quiet and sparkling started to remind me that there was beauty in winter, I just hadn't been willing to see it. Slowly, it got easier.

We invested in better gear. The kids start started to expect and even look forward to our outings. I stopped obsessively checking the weather app and dreading the cold. I noticed how much of my reality was shaped by my thoughts and how those thoughts could change. One day I told my husband, I think I've changed.

He just looked at me and said, yeah, you're completely different. My circumstances hadn't changed, but I had, I changed the story I was telling myself about winter and in turn about my life.

Winter blues are real. The lack of sunlight, the cold weather, the darker days, it can feel heavy. But here's the good news. You don't have to be stuck there with some mindset shifts and intentional habits. You can change how you experience the season and know it doesn't suddenly mean becoming someone who loves the cold.

It means learning to appreciate what winter has to offer and finding ways to thrive despite the challenges. So here are some actionable tips if you're looking to try to embrace winter. First and foremost, prioritize movement and light. Natural light and movement are game changers. Get outside for even 15 minutes a day.

Are find ways to move indoors. Yoga, dancing, stretching your living room. If sunlight's hard to come by, try a light therapy lamp. This was the biggest game changer in terms of my evolution for it, and I know it's the last thing that you wanna hear, but if you're able to get out for even just a few minutes, it really can make a big difference even on the cloudy days,

shift your environment. Make your home a space you actually enjoy. Light some candles. Grab cozy blankets and create a little corner for reading and journaling. Think hooga vibes, warmth, comfort, and intentional coziness. Reframe your perspective instead of focusing on the winter, what winter takes away, think about what it gives time to slow down, reflect and recharge.

Start to think about three things that you enjoy about the winter season, even if it's just an excuse to wear cozy socks and cuddle up with a warm drink. Anchor yourself in gratitude. When I feel the winter crabbies creeping in, then believe me, they still do. I revisit my gratitude practice. It doesn't have to be big.

Even a tiny moment of gratitude can shift your day. I know that this is something that we hear all the time and something that I resisted for a while too. But developing a gratitude practice for yourself can change the way that your outlook is in all areas of your life.

Start a winter. Ritual rituals, give us something to look forward to. For me, it's making a cup of tea or lighting a candle for you, it might be a Sunday family movie night or morning walks in the snow. Pick something that feels restorative, stay connected. Winter can feel isolating, so make an effort to connect, plan coffee dates, invite friends over or start a virtual book club.

Connection keeps us grounded and we all need more of that in our lives. These are just some of the things that I implemented over the years and adjusted as I've continued. To hone in on different strategies for improving my experience of winter. And if you're ready for more tips and inspiration, I've put together a winter survival guide.

It's packed with habits, mindset shifts, and ideas that help me go from surviving winter to actually appreciating it. You can describe your free copy in the link that's in the show notes. Winter may never be my favorite season. It may never be your favorite season. But it has taught me so much about slowing down, finding joy in the little things, and showing up for the life I want to create.

It's taught me how my mindset impacts my life and the way that I perceive it, and it's given me more control over and appreciation for the control that I have over the experience that I have. So if you're feeling stuck, take one small step today. Light a candle, go for a walk. Write down something you're grateful for those little moments, add up.

And if this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear what you're trying this winter. Reach out and tag me on social or share this episode with someone who might need it. Let's rewrite our winter stories together.

Thank you for tuning in to clear and on purpose. If you're ready to take intentional steps toward a more fulfilling life. And wanna customize the approach, I'd love to work with you. Visit www.christinaslayback.com to schedule a free consultation or explore current offers designed to help you gain clarity and reclaim your energy.

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