Welcoming Winter: a gentle guide to Winter in retirement

Welcome, Winter! Today marks the shortest day of the year, signaling the official start of the season. While we embrace the darker evenings and cooler temperatures, it isn't all doom and gloom. The Winter Solstice is the turning point - from today forward, the days will immediately begin to lengthen, and we can look forward to the evenings gradually starting to get lighter again. 

If you're someone who struggles with the gloom of damp, cold days, you're not alone. But Winter doesn't have to be something we simply endure. Instead, we can explore some gentle ways to lean into the quiet rhythms of the season and try our best to make the most of it, because before we know it, those first hopeful hints of Spring will appear!

Mindful moments

Leaning into the winter months is a matter of mindset. Instead of counting down the days until spring, try reframing this season as an opportunity for rest, restoration, and quiet joy. See the earlier evenings not as a loss of daylight, but as a cosy permission to slow down, invest in self-care, and enjoy indoor hobbies. (Residents of our Steepleton community are experts in Tai Chi with their weekly sessions!). By choosing to find the beauty in stillness, the warmth in simple rituals, and the magic in a frosty morning, you can quickly transform winter from an obstacle into a chapter you look forward to.

Winter wellness

A great way to enjoy the winter months is to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Although the wellness market can be overwhelming with varying opinions, advice and confusing jargon. Sometimes the simple tried and tested methods are the best: include lots of colourful fruits and veggies in your diet, prioritise your sleep, take your vitamins and get some fresh air daily. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as the modern wellness world makes out.

• Eat the rainbow: make sure your diet includes lots of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables. These are packed with the nutrients and antioxidants needed to support your immune system when you need it most.

• Prioritise sleep: a consistent, good night's rest is your body’s best healer. Aim for a calming bedtime routine. 

• Take your daily vitamins: ensure you are consistently taking any necessary supplements recommended by your doctor, especially Vitamin D, which is often harder to get during the shorter, darker days.

Seek fresh air: even a brisk 10-minute walk outside can lift your mood and give you a vital change of scenery. For example, many of our communities have communal grounds to enjoy for a quick mid-morning stroll with a neighbour - such as The Vincent in Bristol, Highfields in West Byfleet or Lymington Gate. 

Home comforts

While we are currently in the height of the festive season, it’s likely our homes are decorated with sparkles, leafy green garlands, and treasured ornaments from years gone by, but the winter months beyond December, don’t have to be dull or grey. Find joy in decorating for the new year - for example add texture and warmth through a new hot water bottle that matches your home style or add some rich tones to your sofa scatter cushions. 

Let fragrance do the heavy lifting. Move past traditional holiday scents and embrace a warmer, more sophisticated aromatic profile. Look for woody, enveloping notes. Sandalwood, amber, and musk offer a deep, rich foundation that adds a comforting layer of luxury and long-lasting cosyness to any room. Perfect for a cosy night in!

Time for reflection

As December 31st swiftly approaches, this quieter, contemplative end-of-year period is the perfect opportunity to take gentle stock of the past twelve months. Don’t worry about the pressure of unrealistic resolutions. Instead, see this as a peaceful pause to acknowledge all that you have accomplished, experienced, and overcome. What were the small, everyday moments that brought you genuine joy? What lessons did you learn? A simple way to do this is to grab a notebook and dedicate just ten minutes to listing three moments you are proud of and three things you are grateful for. This practice helps to shift your focus toward appreciation, ensuring you step into the new year feeling grounded and ready for what comes next. 

Something to look forward to

As the festive buzz fades and the pace of life slows, we are given an often quieter season. Instead of viewing this stillness as a pause, use it as the perfect time to nurture a sense of excitement for the future. Studies show that the act of planning and anticipation is just as beneficial for mental health as the activity itself. 

If you’re already craving the sight of budding flowers and warmer weather, channel that energy into planning for the year ahead:

• Map out your year: there is something satisfying about opening a new calendar or diary on January 1st. Mark down a few key events: a visit to a new museum, coffee dates with friends, or the start of a gardening project. These anchor points give you a continuous source of future joy.

• Dream big, plan small: whether it’s a big trip abroad or simply redecorating a room, break the large goal down into small, actionable steps you can tackle now (e.g., researching hotels, creating a mood board, or finding paint samples).

• Start a "Spring list": if you really aren’t a fan of Winter, create a simple list of all the things you want to do the moment the weather turns - like visiting a garden centre, taking a picnic, or enjoying your first outdoor coffee of the year. Just making the list lifts your mood and reminds you that the season is indeed temporary! Residents of our Highfields community can prepare for the planting of spring bulbs in the community’ allotments.

Here is to a happy, healthy winter season ahead.