What You Need to Stay Healthy This Winter

I’m addicted to sunshine, one big reason why I live in a southern state. And while I’m not a fan of less light during the winter, I still enjoy all the season has to offer. Here’s a big list of winter wellness essentials to help you feel your best this year. Many of these are also great options to share with friends and family in your life to help them out during the winter months too. 

Winter Wellness Goals

Not only does it get darker faster starting in the autumn, but winter comes with its own set of health challenges. Dry air and more time indoors can take a toll on our skin, lips, and hair. Shorter days can mean less motivation to workout or incorporate functional movements (hello cozy blanket and Christmas movies!). 

Then there are the holidays with snacking, sugar, late nights, alcohol, and more sugar. Throw in stress, lack of sleep from disrupted routines, and just overall winter blahs. It’s easy to get off track with our health goals during the winter months, and colder days pose extra challenges. 

The goal isn’t to plow through and pretend it’s not winter, but instead embrace the seasonal rhythms and pay attention to our body’s changing needs. Here’s a roundup of different products and recipes I rely on this time of year to keep me healthy, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Of course, I don’t do all of these all the time, but feel free to pick and choose what makes the most sense for you to come up with your own winter wellness routine. 

Winter Skincare

Cold air, windy days, and snow translates to chapped, dry skin. I try to get outside every single day, several times a day, including winter. This helps my hormonal rhythms stay on track and helps with the winter blues. Add to that indoor heating and skin can really take a beating. 

Here are some of my favorite lotions and balms to keep skin happy this winter. You’ll find both DIY recipes and ready made products for when you’re short on time. 

Lotions and Balms

• Toups & Co Organics – I love everything by Toups because it’s such great quality and feels great on my skin. Their tallow balms and lip balms are perfect for skin anytime of year, but especially in winter. 
• DIY Lotion Bars – Create customized lotion bars for thirsty winter skin. They’re an easy and convenient way to use lotion. Don’t want to make it? Made On sells clean lotion bars that meet my standards. 
• Homemade Lotion – This lotion recipe is more of a balm consistency. It combines ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to deeply moisturize skin. 
• Calming Sleep Lotion – This bedtime lotion is great to help unwind and relax in the evenings. It also hydrates skin as it calms. 
• Aloe Vera Lotion – Aloe is rich in nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. It helps skin create hyaluronic acid and boosts collagen production. 
• Frankincense Face Cream – Not only does it smell amazing, but frankincense is very calming and grounding. My face always feels so good after I use this!
• Tallow Balm – Tallow is making a comeback when it comes to skincare. It’s very close to our skin’s natural oils so many people love how it feels. You can use it as a lotion, face cream, and even baby balm. 
• Shea Butter Lotion Bar Stick – These convenient lotion bar sticks can be customized with your favorite skin loving essential oils. Shea butter is also known to boost hydration, prevent moisture loss, and improve skin barrier function.
• Men’s Lotion – Don’t be fooled by the name! This pumpable lotion recipe is a blend of water and oil based ingredients for a more typical lotion feel. While this one is a more masculine scent, you can use any skin-safe essential oils you prefer. 
• Winter Bliss Lotion Bars – One of my favorites, these lotion bars smell like cozy winter days.
• Whipped Body Butter – Body butters are extra moisturizing for those hard to soften spots, like elbows, knees, and feet.  

Lip Balms and Soothing Salves

• Tallow Lip Balm – Similar to tallow balm, this firmer version is perfect for thirsty lips. 
• Homemade Lip Balm – Rich cocoa butter and nourishing shea butter combine to protect delicate lips. 
• Healing Lip Salve – For damaged lips that need more love and attention, this herbal infused lip salve is so soothing. 
• Sore Nose Balm – You know that feeling when you’re blowing your nose non-stop and it gets irritated, red, and painful? Well now you don’t have to with this soothing sore nose balm. 

Warming Drinks 

There’s something so cozy about sipping a steaming mug of something on a chilly day. While coffee is a constant favorite, here are some other drinks to try with a variety of health benefits. Don’t forget to stir in a scoop of collagen protein to better support hair, skin, nails, and gut health!

• Cacao Calm – Currently my favorite part of my night routine! An adaptogenic blend made with reishi and cacao to help calm the mind and support relaxation. It’s like a mug of hot chocolate that helps your body unwind.
• Four Sigmatic – One of my favorite ways to get functional mushrooms in daily! From coffee to cocoa, their blends support energy, focus, and immune health without the jitters.
• Pumpkin Spice Latte – A real-food version of the fall favorite! Made with nourishing ingredients like pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and warm spices for cozy, natural flavor.
• Elderberry Mulled Cider – The perfect blend of sweet, tart, and spiced. Elderberries add an immune-supporting boost to this festive, warming cider.
• Sip Herbals – A rich, roasted coffee alternative made from chicory, dandelion, and carob. It’s naturally caffeine-free and supports liver and digestive health.
• Golden Milk – This soothing drink combines turmeric, ginger, and coconut milk for a creamy, anti-inflammatory latte that’s great before bed.
• Pique Tea – These crystalized teas make it easy to enjoy high-quality, organic tea anywhere. They’re triple-screened for toxins and crafted for better gut and skin health.
• Mexican Hot Chocolate – Rich, chocolatey, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and a hint of cayenne. A cozy way to enjoy antioxidants and a mood boost!
• Dairy Free Eggnog – A creamy, holiday favorite without the dairy or refined sugar. Made with coconut milk, eggs, and natural spices for a delicious seasonal treat.

Immune Supporting Cold and Flu Remedies

Whether you feel a cold coming on or you’re just trying to keep your immune system in shape, these are the products and recipes that are a staple in my winter wellness cabinet. 

• Elderberry Gummies – These gummies make it easy (and fun) for kids and adults alike to get a daily boost, especially during cold season.
• Propolis Throat Spray – Make your own DIY throat spray or get it pre-made from Beekeeper’s Naturals. Not only are they great for sore throats, but they help keep the immune system strong to ward off unwanted germs. 
• Ginger Syrup – Ginger supports digestion, eases nausea, and helps calm inflammation. Great for winter wellness or after you’ve indulged a little too much at the snack table.
• Elderberry Tea – A cozy, immune-boosting tea that’s easy to make. It’s rich in antioxidants and perfect for sipping during cooler months to help the body stay strong.
• Fire Cider – This spicy, tangy tonic is a longtime herbal favorite. Made with apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, horseradish, ginger, and a kick of cayenne, it helps support circulation and the immune system.
• Herbal Cough Syrup – Made with herbs like thyme, marshmallow root, and licorice, this syrup soothes dry throats and helps calm coughs naturally. 
• Elderberry Syrup – A popular favorite around here! Elderberry syrup is delicious, packed with antioxidants, and easy to make at home. It’s a go-to for families during the fall and winter months.
• Wild Cherry Bark Cough Syrup – Wild cherry bark has been used for generations to soothe coughs. Combined with honey and other herbs, it helps calm the throat and promote restful breathing.
• Sore Throat Tea – A comforting tea blend made with herbs like marshmallow root, licorice, and slippery elm to coat and soothe a scratchy throat. Perfect with a spoonful of honey.
• Homemade Vapor Rub – Skip the store-bought stuff and make your own with natural oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and coconut oil. It helps open up the airways and ease congestion when colds hit.
• Elderberry Marshmallows – A fun twist on a classic treat! These fluffy, immune-boosting marshmallows combine the benefits of elderberry syrup with real gelatin for a sweet that supports wellness. 
• Throat Soothing Lollipops – These honey-based lollipops from Beekeeper’s Naturals are made with propolis and other natural ingredients to calm irritated throats. A great option for kids (and adults!) who need a little extra relief.

Health Hacks to Boost Mood and Immune Health

Here are a variety of wellness tools I use all year long, but they have specific health benefits for winter too. Since we’re spending more time indoors, creating a healthy, cozy home environment is essential. Plus, it helps boost the mood during the darker days!

• Red Light Panel – Red light therapy can help support skin health, reduce inflammation, and improve energy. A favorite for daily wellness routines and to boost the mood.
• UVB Lamp – A great way to help support natural vitamin D production during the darker months when sunlight is limited.
• Air Filter – I put this on the list twice, because clean air is a top priority! With more time spent indoors, and depending on your area, wildfires or autumn leaf burning, an air filter is essential. This is another great option.
• Fontana Candles – Not an essential per se, but I love how cozy these make my home feel. Plus they have some great, non-toxic wintery scents. 
• Diffuser Recipes – These winter essential oil diffuser blend recipes set the mood, uplift the spirits, and have antimicrobial benefits to help ward off winter illness. 

Prioritize Sleep

With shorter days and more evening activities, it’s easy for our nighttime rhythms to become disrupted. Over the years this is an area I’ve really honed in on and tried a lot of things for. Here are some of the ways I make sure to get quality sleep (or at least try with lots of kids!). Something you won’t find on this list? A nightlight. Here’s why.

• Mattress – It all starts with a good quality mattress. Our family uses several different natural mattresses that I like. Here’s my review of all of them. 
• Sleep mask – While I use blackout curtains in my bedroom, I still use a sleep mask for times when some light slips through. They’re also great for travel. 
• Blackout curtains – These blackout curtains help drastically cut down on hormone disrupting light while you sleep. 
• Winding Down – Bedtime for me starts with sunset, aligning my rhythms, and getting in a calmer mindset. Tools like journaling or meditation are helpful for this. 
• Air Filter – Since we’re asleep for about a third of our lives, I make sure the air in my bedroom is clean. I also have air filters in our main living areas too. These reduce overall environmental toxins for better mood and more resilience. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.
• Air Humidifier – With drier winter air my skin loves having a humidifier on at night while I sleep. This one from Canopy is a favorite. It uses a multi-stage filter and has sleep settings on it. 
• Books – Need something to read for inspiration or before bed? Here are some of my favorite recommended books. You’ll find a variety of topics that focus on mental, emotional, and physical health. 

Seasonal Eating

When autumn hits, it’s officially soup season! Traditionally our bodies were used to different foods during the colder months. This helps give our body the unique nourishment it needs during this season. You can read more about seasonal eating here, but here are some ideas to get you started. 

• Indoor Herb Garden – Fresh herbs are a great way to add antimicrobial and immune boosting benefits to your meals. If it’s too cold outside to grow them, grow them inside with this cute little garden bed. 
• Stews and Soups – You’ll find plenty of different soup and stew recipes here on the blog. Some are more summer themed, but the vast majority feature produce that’s seasonal during cooler months. Like sweet potatoes and carrots that last in cool storage. 
• Broth – Yes, it’s technically a form of soup, but broth deserves its own category! Full of collagen for gut, hair, skin and nail health, broth is a superfood. Don’t have time to make it? This brand is as good as homemade and easy to use. 

Final Thoughts on Winter Wellness

Don’t feel like you need to incorporate all of these ideas at once, or even all the time. Start with small steps and prioritize what’s most important for you. I love having a variety of wellness tools at my disposal, and many of them are one and done to set up. 

For example, once the air filters are in place, I don’t have to worry about setting up clean air every single day. Automate what you can, and have fun with the rest!

What are some ways you stay healthy in the winter? Leave a comment and let us know!