Winter Self Care Ritual
Winter can be a time of introspection and nurturing, making it the perfect season for a women’s circle. Gather your friends for a cosy, supportive ritual that fosters connection and personal growth.
HOW YOU'LL BENEFIT FROM A WINTER SELF-CARE RITUAL
Establishing a self-care ritual will allow you to hold space for self-reflection and emotional healing. This practice will encourage and establish mindfulness and relaxation and help you to find the confidence for self-expression and personal growth. During the colder months, it will offer a comforting ritual to combat winter blues.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Gather up your candles to symbolise warmth and light and create a cosy atmosphere. Place blankets and cushions around to bolster you as you sit and create the comfort you need. Use essential oils such as lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang or sandalwood for relaxation.
You will need a journal and pen to work on your personal reflections and you may choose to make a cup of warming herbal tea to sip such as chamomile, lavender or peppermint. Place a selection of crystals around you if you have some, such as howlite, amethyst, selenite, or our crystal of the month - moonstone. We talk more about moonstone in our 'Crystal of the Month' segment down below.
You’ll also need your ipad or phone with some soothing and healing music playing for deeper relaxation.
STEPS FOR A SIMPLE WINTER SELF-CARE RITUAL
Choose a quiet, cosy space and arrange your blankets and cushions so you can be seated comfortably and then place all of your gathered items around you within easy reach. Light your candles and dim the lights in preparation.
Set Your Intentions
Once your have set up your quiet space and centred yourself, reflect on your current state and identify what you wish to release. It may be things such as fears, negative habits or unforgiveness. For help with this, check out our Blog: The Healing Power of Forgiveness. Write down your intentions clearly in your journal.
Next, specify what you want to invite into your life, such as developing more confidence, having more peace at home, or success in the workplace. Be honest and specific to guide your focus and energy.
Meditation
Begin by sitting comfortably and closing your eyes. Take a deep breath in, counting to four, and exhaling slowly, counting to four. As you continue to breathe, pause for the count of four at the top of the breath and again at the bottom of the breath.
Let it anchor you in the present moment.
Now, visualise a warm, golden light glowing in your heart centre. With each inhale, imagine this light expanding, spreading warmth and love throughout your body. Allow the warmth and love of the light to expand down your body towards your feet. Breathe into the sensations.
Then allow the warmth of the light to expand up from your heart towards your crown. Feel it radiate to your fingertips and toes, enveloping you in a comforting, healing glow. Continue breathing deeply, basking in this light and self-love.
As you breathe deeply, visualise the intentions you wish to release. If you have journaled a number of intentions, just visualise the main intention. See the object you wish to release as a dark cloud dissipating out through your nose with each exhale. Feel the weight release and lift from your heart.
Now, shift your focus to what you wish to manifest. Once again, if you have written a several things you wish to bring into your life, visualise the main thing for this meditation. Picture this intention as a bright, radiant light, growing stronger with each inhale, filling you with positivity and purpose. Allow the light to sweep over you, engulfing and filling you, enlivening you. Feel the love of this positive new intention you are manifesting.
Journaling
When you have finished meditating, spend a few minutes journaling your thoughts and reflections. Reflect deeply and honestly using prompts such as:
"What did I feel while releasing my negative beliefs / behaviour / connections?"
"How did the light of my positive intention make me feel?"
"What steps can I take to support this new intention in my daily life?"
"What emotions surfaced during my meditation?"
After your meditation, expand your journaling with a gratitude practice. List three things you are grateful for, focusing on both the small and significant aspects of your life. Reflect on why you appreciate these elements and how they positively impact you. This practice fosters a positive mindset and deepens the connection to your intentions and overall well-being. For help with gratitude, check out our blog: Attitude of Gratitude - 10 Easy Practices to Get You Started.
Yin Yoga
While you are in your cosy bubble of self-love, consider enhancing your practice of self-care and nurturing with some Yin Yoga. This gentle, meditative style of yoga focuses on long-held, passive poses that target the deep connective tissues, helping to increase circulation and improve flexibility. It's an excellent way to unwind, release tension, and cultivate mindfulness.
In our Yoga of the Month segment, we've highlighted two wonderful Yin Yoga poses for you to try - Reclined Butterfly Pose and Seated Wide Angle Forward Bend. These poses are just the beginning, as there are many more Yin Yoga postures that can contribute to your well-being.
CLOSING THE RITUAL
To close the ritual, take a moment to express gratitude for the time and space you've given yourself. Acknowledge any insights or emotions that surfaced, appreciating their significance. Thank yourself for the commitment to your well-being. Seal the ritual with a positive affirmation, reinforcing the intentions you've set and the journey ahead.
Extinguish the candles, symbolising the close of your ritual, and allow yourself to carry the light within. Raise your hands in prayer pose to your heart and acknowledge the love and light within and expend that energy out to everything and everyone on the planet.
OPTIONAL CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Engage in a simple craft, such as making some affirmation cards with specific positive thoughts regarding what you are releasing or what you are inviting in.
You may like to decorate your candles, placing a selection of crystals around a dish is a beautiful embellishment. Or create a small dream, sigil or 'squiggle' board to help with manifesting your dreams in the coming year. For suggestions with this, check out our blog: How to Use the Law of Attraction to Manifest Abundance in Your Life.
Doing regular winter self-care rituals is a beautiful way to connect deeply with yourself. Embrace the warmth and support of this practice to nurture and grow through the winter months.
