Winter Wellness: How to Feel Your Best This Season

Winter Wellness: How to Feel Your Best This Season

Staying Healthy, Happy, and Balanced This Winter in South Africa

Winter in South Africa means chilly mornings, early sunsets, and the urge to hibernate with a blanket and a cup of tea. While that sounds cozy, it’s also the time when our bodies and minds need a little extra TLC. Here’s a friendly guide to staying healthy, happy, and balanced this winter—body, mind, and soul.

What you’ll need

  • Citrus fruits (naartjies, oranges)
  • Garlic and ginger
  • Sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots
  • Rooibos tea or hot lemon water
  • Lavender essential oil (optional)
  • Epsom salts (optional)

Look After Your Body

Eat to Stay Strong

Cold weather can make us crave comfort food—but you can still eat well and feel nourished. Try adding:

  • Citrus fruits for vitamin C (hello, naartjies and oranges!)
  • Garlic and ginger for natural immune support
  • Sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots for extra nutrients and warmth

Drink plenty of water—even if you don’t feel thirsty—and enjoy warm drinks like rooibos tea or hot lemon water.

Keep Moving (Gently)

It’s tempting to skip workouts when it’s freezing, but movement keeps you warm and boosts your mood.

  • Try indoor yoga, stretching, or dancing to your favourite playlist
  • Take a midday walk when the sun is out—you’ll get some vitamin D, too!

Get That Rest

Winter is nature’s way of telling us to slow down. Listen to your body:

  • Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep
  • Create a cozy sleep space with soft blankets and calming scents like lavender

Take Care of Your Mind

Find Little Joys in the Day

Shorter days can sometimes bring the blues. To keep your spirits high:

  • Sit in the sunshine for at least 15 minutes a day
  • Light a candle or use a lamp in the mornings to brighten your space
  • Make time for fun things like reading, journaling, or binging that latest series

Stay Connected

It’s easy to curl up and disappear in winter—but don’t forget your people!

  • Call a friend
  • Plan a movie night, game night, or cosy dinner
  • Even a WhatsApp voice note can lift your mood


Bonus: Simple Winter Self-Care Ideas

  • Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts and essential oils
  • Brew a big pot of homemade soup
  • Switch off your devices early and unwind with a book or music
  • Make a winter vision board or list your dreams for the year ahead

No matter how cold it gets, winter can be a time of comfort, calm, and deep renewal. So layer up, light a candle, and take this season one cozy moment at a time.

M

Marianne van der Walt

Author at ConsumerRewards

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our blog and content.

Shorter days and less sunlight can affect our circadian rhythms, making us feel sleepier.

Spend time outdoors in the sun, even for 15–20 minutes a day, or consider vitamin D-rich foods and supplements.

Bodyweight exercises, stretching, yoga, dancing, or stair climbing can all be done at home.

Use a gentle moisturiser, avoid very hot showers, and stay hydrated.