January 2025 Monthly Musings: Winter Self-Care

 

Besties, we are closing in on the end of January 2025. Can I get an whoop whoop? This has been a long month and I know for many people leaving in Southern California, a month of stress and emotion. I am so glad that Holly and I are focusing on self-care as our topic for Monthly Musings. I cannot wait to read all of the self-care tips our Monthly Musings community has for us.

1. What do you do to stay warm in Winter?

The main thing I do to stay warm is layers. I love my Ugg boots for casual dress and these new Aerosole wedge boots for dressy casual or work.

For sleeping I love flannel sheets and a heated mattress pad. There's nothing Better than getting into a warm bed. Running Daddy will turn his off when he goes to sleep but I keep it on low to keep the sleeping temperature consistent. 

In our home office, I have a heated throw that I use at my desk to keep warm while I work. It is very similar to this one. A foot pocked and hand warmer is key.

2. Favorite wintertime activity?

There's nothing that I love more than a hockey game. 

3. Any different beauty routines in Winter?

I am an itchy skin gal, especially in the winter. I have eczema and need to add in a few products in the winter. I like Method body wash and add in Eucerin Baby Eczema wash on my shins as that is where my eczema is the worst. I also use Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream on my shins after I get out of the shower.

I also get super chapped lips due to my health challenges. I have tried a lot of lip balms over the years but I do think the Burt's Bees lip balms work the Best. I actually don't love the original mint, but really like some of the fruit versions. This is the multi-pack I have now.

4. Skating, sledding or skiing?

I am not a skier and actually broke my leg when I was in first-grade skiing. Even though I broke my leg ice skating in kindergarten, I do like to skate. I could also sled all day.

5. Favorite winter recipes?

I make a recipe for a sausage and white bean soup that I have share on this site many times. It's really easy and the sausage gives it so much flavor. I think it is the Best soup I make. 

I also love to make chilis, especially ones that are a little more fun than a standard chili. This post has my taco chili, chicken white chili and smoky turkey sausage chili. They are all awesome and we rotate these on the weekends in the winter.

6. Favorite winter hot beverage?

I am a coffee lover and really love an almond milk mocha. I usually have them go easy on the chocolate syrup and skip the whipped cream. Adding in the almond milk gives this a chocolate almond taste.

I also love a hot toddy but I need to make mine with rum because I cannot drink whiskey as I am allergic to gluten. I love a hot toddy when I don't feel well or on a frigid night.

7. Best winter memories?

When I was little, we had a really big blizzard in New England. We had so much snow the National Guard helped plow out our neighborhood. The snow was so deep we could walk over our back fence into the neighbor's yard. Yes, it was a seven-foot fence!

One year it was cold enough that the creek across the street from our house froze and Hockey Guy was able to skate on it. We don't get a lot of pond hockey here, so this was really cool. 

8. Coldest day that you remember?

While it was super cold last week, back in 2016 we had a blizzard and a polar vortex. It was so cold you could barely open the door. It was too cold to go to school and we all worked together to have kids at each other's houses to keep them entertained. At one point I had seven kids in our house watching movies and eating snacks.

9. How are you practicing self-care this Winter?

I have been very Good about going back to my devotional reading and gratitude journaling the last few weeks. It is really helpful and I do think it is helping my anxiety. I turn up the heated mattress pad, grab a coffee and Stormy snuggles in while I do this morning ritual.

I have also been lighting candles a lot this winter. I use both the standard one and also the flameless. The more the Better. Candles are very calming for me after a long day at work and an annoying commute.

10. Flannel sheets...yes or no?

I am a fan of flannel sheets but I only put them on the bed when it is really cold. They went on our bed after Christmas as we prepared for the most recent cold snap.

Ok, now it's your turn. Share your Best Winter self-care tips in the comments below.  If you participated in Monthly Musings, please link back to Holly and me and link up with us below.

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