24 Comments

Winters can be long up here at the Vermont border but since I ❤️ winter I find I have to contain my enthusiasm around others. I have two sets of lights up in the house to give a bit of longevity to the short days. I also keep a list of things I want to achieve outside - construction of the snowman family, maintenance of the snowshoe loop, etc. which adds incentive (also gets visitors outside).

Expand full comment

Oooo snowshoeing has been on my list of things to try. Amazing to have a loop!

Expand full comment

This made me cozier just by reading it! I also use a SAD lamp and drink so much herbal tea! The movement piece is tough for me because I love walking outside, but not in the bitter cold (as it is today). I don't have a treadmill, but was eyeing some walking pads on cyber Monday. For now, I just try to move a lot in my house or at work at the hospital - all those going up and down the stairs add up!

Expand full comment

These are all great! One of the clinics in my system installed two walking pads in their office through a wellness grant, and now they’re having competitions 😂 It could be a great option.

Expand full comment

Oh I love this idea! I just got tasked with co-chairing our hospital's new Employee Well-being Task Force and this might have to be a new initiative!

Expand full comment

Such a great post Jillian, I'm going to keep coming back to this post throughout the winter. So many great ideas and resources total into, thank you! Love what you say about cosiness and warmth too - it got me thinking I should book a hot yoga class.

Expand full comment

Glad you enjoyed it! I love a hot yoga class in the winter, especially a slower flow or Yin candlelight practice. The studio by my house does them both, and it’s a perfect way to wind down my day.

Expand full comment

Having just come out of winter, my protip is to continue to go outside and get sunlight! This winter seemed less difficult then previous ones and I think it's because I was outside way more. Getting fresh air and sunlight has made a big difference for me!

Expand full comment

That’s a great tip! Getting outside is so beneficial.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much for including 'Slow Seasons' and my post in your helpful round-up. Sending you cosy vibes from Scotland! ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you for the shout out! And honestly, I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything you write. I'm such a fan of what you do and the messages you are spreading here on Substack and beyond 🤩

Expand full comment

That’s so kind. Thank you. ❤️

Expand full comment

So many amazing ideas, books, and podcasts. I just signed up for Beth’s winter writing class. I can’t wait.

Expand full comment

Oh yay! I did it for the first time last year. It was so lovely. It’s what kicked off my year of writing more consistently.

Expand full comment

I love this list! I also just discovered Nigel Slater's podcast and have been really loving it so far. And thank you for including my post as a resource :)

Expand full comment

He has a great voice for the season!

Expand full comment

Thank you for mentioning my article! Great minds think alike! 😊😄. Fantastic article and i'm going to check out all your recommendations (esp. The sweatshirt!). I am also a huge yoga with Adriene fan and have been doing her videos since about 2014 I think, and her videos helped me move through (literally) my grief from losing my mom in 2015 and I started doing her video daily from Jan 1st 2016 (and am still doing daily yoga but have moved onto Peloton more the last 2 years)

Expand full comment

Oh I love this! I’m on peloton too as JillClimbsHills. I don’t do as much yoga there, but I always enjoy it when I do.

Expand full comment

oh nice! I'm on there as yoga_run_repeat. I will follow you! :) I mainly use it for running and yoga (and sometimes strength)

Expand full comment

This is such a wonderful, nourishing post Jillian. Thanks so much for curating it.

Expand full comment

Glad you enjoyed it! Wishing you much wellbeing during this season. ✨

Expand full comment

Thank you for including me! There is so much in here that I already love and so so much else to explore :-)

Expand full comment

Enjoy! ✨

Expand full comment

Thanks for all the inspiration Jillian, I really enjoyed making my winter wellbeing list (and came up with a few ideas I hadn't expected). Looking forward to lazily working my way through the recommended resources too. And thanks for the shout-out, that's very kind!

Expand full comment