Self-care Activities for late November

The golden leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping, and winter is signalling its imminent arrival.  For some, that first glittering frost sparks excitement. Visions of sugar plumps, sleighbells, snow-fights, and festive feasts dance in our heads. Others, however, might find themselves reluctantly agreeing with Ebenezer Scrooge – winter means months of cold, bleak mornings, darker evenings, and significantly increased heating bills! How tempting it would be to pull on a cosy nightgown, climb back into bed, and hibernate until spring?

Can you relate? Is your mood falling faster than the thermometer? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. In fact, it’s very common to feel sad, or just less energised than usual in the long winter months. But don’t slip into a wintery slump this November! Boost your happiness and wellbeing by giving our top 3 self-care activities a try.

• Get creative​​​​​​​ – Honestly, how much time do you spend on social media? Too much time? Join the club! So, let’s scrap the screen for an afternoon, give our eyes and brain a break, and get crafting. Craft activities can improve mood and increase feelings of relaxation! So, round up the entire family and let your imagination run wild. What will you create? An advent calendar? Some Season’s Greetings cards? Maybe an orange and cinnamon scented garland? or even a festive decoupage box?

• Let it rain! – Stuck indoors thanks to the thrashing rain and howling wind? So what!? Don’t let the gloomy skies affect your spirits. What better time to curl up on the couch and immerse yourself in a good book? Start a new novel, dig out an old favourite, or re-start one you never got around to finishing. A great book I just finished it the Earl and the Pharaoh. Dive into those enchanted pages and transport yourself to another time and place. Who cares what the weather is doing when you can spend the afternoon snuggled up by the fire, with a scrumptious hot chocolate (with whipped cream and mini marshmallows, of course)? If you don’t have a fire, try using candles, fairy lights, and lanterns to create a warm, cosy atmosphere.

• Make a list (check it twice) – Even if you think it’s still too early, it’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And whilst we agree, it’s much too early to deck the halls, a bit of planning and list writing couldn’t hurt.  In truth, a little preparation will help reduce a lot of next month’s stress. Say goodbye to last-minute panic buying and running around the place like a headless turkey. Slow it down – just think about what needs doing and who needs visiting. A little organisation now will result in additional partying, celebrating, and relaxing time come Christmas. I recently brought a planner from amazon and its good! Christmas is sorted this year!

Home décor adjustments

Introduce warmth and comfort into your space with seasonal patterns and textiles and create a relaxed, cosy atmosphere – an enchanted retreat from the outside world.

So, whether you’re thinking about entirely redecorating or just spicing things up a little, these simple winter decor suggestions will help transform your home.

• By candlelight or battery powered – Light always plays a vital role in creating the right ambience. A flickering flame will help to set a more intimate and comforting vibe. We just love taper candles for dining décor – très elegant! If you aren’t a fan of candles, switch to wall lights and lamps to gently add pools of light to the room without harsh overhead lighting. For a magical, super seasonal display, we suggest experimenting with fairy lights.

• Toastie tones – Colour is powerful – it’s one of the best mood-boosting tricks in the book. We’re not suggesting you repaint your entire house, but maybe paint a feature wall in a shade that makes glow on the inside? Experiment with a variety of colour combinations from cranberry to amber. Have fun with it! Be sure to layer up on colourful furnishings and accessories too – think cushions, sculptures, rugs, and paintings!
• Extra layers – Why not keep a basket of snuggly throws/ blankets on hand for those bitter winter nights? Just be sure to select designs that compliment the décor. Perhaps opt for a pop of colour? We love forest green – the colour of nature, growth, and vitality. Green is the ideal colour if you’re looking for both positivity and peace.

• Blooming lovely – Whether you choose fresh or dried, flowers are a fantastic way to bring some delicate, natural textures into your house. Not only do they smell glorious and add a pop of colour, but they bring reminders of beauty, life, and energy. The perfect finishing touch to any home!