How to be more comfortable this season
Winter is here. The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting chilly, but luckily, there are plenty of ways to stay cozy this winter! Need some inspiration? We've teamed up with one of the coziest places in Canada,
Chalet Röcka, to see how they ramp up their comfort levels and together, we've created the ultimate guide for comfort, bringing you 14 ideas that will warm your spirit this season.
Why can winter feel depressing?
Sometimes, its tough to stay motivated over the winter. The shorter days and limited daylight hours can leave us feeling tired, lazy and isolated from friends and family. A lack of vitamin D drains us and for many people in colder climates, it can be one of the loneliest times of the year. However, there's good news. There are plenty of ways to help combat the seasonal blues and one of the best ways is to cozy up. So let's dive in.
With so many different home environments to explore – apartment living, bungalow living, farm living, condo living, cottage living or wherever you call home – we wanted to create a broad list so that you can find comfort no matter your style or budget.
1. Set up a relaxing bath
Light some candles, turn off the lights, turn on some gentle tunes or grab a book. A bath is one of the best ways to relax. A hot bath can help relieve stress and tension and make you feel more relaxed and calm. This can be an excellent way to unwind after a busy day (or even a non busy day) and it can be used as a healthy alternative to take when you’re feeling under the weather.
In addition to its relaxing effects, taking a bath can be extremely beneficial for your health. Hot water can increase circulation in your body which can help to clean out toxins and impurities that may have accumulated over time. In addition, it can also boost your immune system by increasing blood flow throughout the body. So, next time you need some downtime, get in the tub and kick back!
2. Hang around a fire
A fire is a great way to create a cozy atmosphere in or outside of your home and can be multi purpose. It can be used to warm up the room, to help you relax after a long day, bring you an earthy smell, or just to make things look more festive. Fire's can also be used to add ambiance to your space and can make it feel more welcoming and inviting. If having a fire indoors, it’s important to make sure that you take the proper precautions so your cozy experience doesn't become a stressful experience. Only use fireplaces made specifically for having an indoor fire! Never try to DIY it.
There's something primal about being around a fire that comforts our soul and warms us deeply. Maybe it's the shared experiences that often come with it, a sense of security or maybe it's simply just the temperature. Whatever the case may be, there's nothing more cozy than being around a fire 🔥
3. Make some hot drinks
A hot drink can help you get through the cold days and remind you of the warmer ones. There are many ways to make a hot drink and each one has its own unique feeling. First of all, nothing beats a good hot chocolate. I'm talking home made with cocoa powder, sugar, hot milk.... served in your favourite mug. yum🤤
Another great call is most herbal tea's. Make sure it doesnt have caffeine in it! Our personal favourite is Bengal Spice. It's an adventurous, sweet and caffeine free interpretation of chai that has cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves infused. If you haven't tried it, you should!
4. Cozy up with a book
Now that winter is here, it is time to get that book out that you have been meaning to read. Books are an amazing way to escape from reality and explore new worlds. They can also help you understand yourself better, which is why reading self-help books are so popular these days. Reading a book is not only an enjoyable activity, but it can also help you relax and unwind at the end of a stressful day. It’s a great way to spend time with your loved ones while snuggling up on the couch or in bed. Reading before bedtime can help you fall asleep faster and it might even lead to more exciting dreams.
5. Have a super cozy movie night (forts encouraged)
What do you do when the weather outside is frightful? Stay inside. Make a whole event out of it! Do you have a movie you've been meaning to check out? Something everybody's seen that you haven't? Pop some corn, spice it up fancy, prep some extra snacks, build a comfort fort, put your phone on airplane mode and hit the lights. Lock yourself into it and bring the movie theater experience into your own room. These days, were often easily distracted by our phones or what were going to do next, but these kinds of nights with friends and loved ones can bring nostalgia - one of the warmest feelings.
6. Light up some candles
Candles are not only a great decoration for your home, but they can also improve your mood or reduce stress levels. Plus, who doesn't love the smell of a good candle? Candles, like us, are unique and not all smells fit all people, so take some time to find one you love. The motion of striking a match, watching the wick catch and the smell after blowing a match out is unmistakable. It's a satisfying series of events before the best part even comes. The warm ambience.. the great scent... 🥰
7. Slip on some thick socks
Comfortable and stylish, slipping on some thick socks is the best. You instantly feel warmer and more comfortable, especially if you've got some soft wool socks. Depending on what you're doing and the brand you have, wool socks can fit with lots of winter outfits. From sweatpants, to jeans and boots, to socks and sandals, you can find yourself looking good and cozy.
8. Make some home cooked food
Food is a great way to stay cozy — it’s delicious and nutritious! One of the best ways to stay warm and content is to share a meal with friends and family. Spending time together prepping for a meal can motivate you to get off the couch and hang around people in a social environment, boosting your mood! Looking for some ideas? Here's a few that you might consider trying soon:
Homemade chilly
Rice and corn soup
Cheesy baked tortellini
Homemade pot stickers
Chicken pot pie
Creamy broccoli soup
9. Hit the hot tub
Just like with a bath, a hot tub is a great way to relax and enjoy the benefits of warm water. There's a few things that seperate these two however. Jets and environment. While a bath is an easy indoor solution for cozying up, a hot tub takes a bit more umph to do, since you have to face the cold briefly on the way in and out. In our opinion, this adds to the experience. It feels rewarding once you get in, especially if there's snow to cross. Fresh air, natural surroundings, dark skies and stars to gaze at...being outside always brings up the mood. Add a few candles, set up a comfortable bathrobe for when you get out and hit the jets. Enjoy a crisp evening while staying warm and comfortable.
10. Dim the lights
Lighting is one of the most important elements in setting the vibe of a space. If you have the right lighting, you can instantly feel cozy and relaxed. If you don’t have the right lighting, it can actually do the opposite and make you feel anxious. Low light invites a calm atmosphere and enhances tones of warmth and security. During the winter, you want to make sure to have plenty of soft, warm light in your home. This will make your space feel cozy and inviting. You can also use lighting to set a specific mood — whether it’s for a romantic evening or a Netflix binge with friends, it's important to choose the right lighting for whatever your doing.
11. Cuddle with your pet, or ask to borrow a friend's!
Pets provide unconditional love and companionship to their owners. Dogs specifically are usually masters of cuddling and love to get all the scratches you can spare. They provide a sense of comfort and safety which is why we recognize them as therapeutic for people who suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Unfortunately, not everyone has a dog - but maybe you know someone who does. Ask them if you can be the cool aunt/uncle for a night and 'petsit'. It may open the opportunity for the owners to do something they usually can't, and you get to hang with a dog! Winwin.
12. Go through some old keepsakes or photos
Nostalgia, one of the warmest feelings you can get.
Remember that time you found that really cool spot? Or the time you tried that food because your best friend recommended it?... but it was awful.
Remember that funny commercial you used to joke about, or that weird thing you found on the ground that time?
Looking back at memories can bring us instant happiness. Most of the time, we take a million photos and never look back at them! Well, here's your chance. Dive in deep and get into the rabbit hole of past memories. Browse some old photos or keepsakes you've held onto. Blow off the dust and re-live these good times!
13. Slip into some new sheets
Did you know that you spend 1/3 of your life in bed sleeping? With the sun going down so early these days, it might not be that hard to imagine.
Your bed should be your sleep sanctuary, optimized for comfort. There is literally nothing more enjoyable than crawling into a cozy bed, and this is something you need to do every single day anyways. A simple update to your sleeping environment can get you truly cozy and is an easy way to max out your comfort levels.
Fresh sheets can help you forget about cold days and make your night the best time of your day. Grab a book, call a friend, binge a series... if your bed is comfy enough, you'll look forward to spending more time there.
Beyond general comfort, good sheets can help you get a better sleep, which can improve your overall mood. When we're low energy, everything seems worse and as if it takes so much more effort. Our chemistry changes, we experience agitation, lack of motivation and discomfort more easily. So side cut this step and start with more energy on a daily basis, while also experiencing higher comfort levels at the same time!
Winwinwin
14. Book a weekend getaway at a cozy bnb
Nothing beats the comfort of your own home - it's your spot, customized just the way you like it. You know where things are, you have everything you need and you can do whatever you like. You spend day after day going from and coming back to your humble abode.... but after a while, things become... normal... expected... mundane.
You are shaped by your environment... and sometimes changing things up is necessary.
If you're feeling like you need to shake things up, then a weekend getaway might be just what you need.
Maybe you don't have a fire pit or a hot tub at your house. Maybe you want a spark of motivation and a new perspective into home decor and interior design. Maybe you'd like to hangout somewhere in peace and enjoy a relaxing few days without interruption. Well you're in luck because that's what Chalet Röcka is all about.
Nestled in Quebec near Lake Lili (a serene, non motorized lake), Chalet Röcka is a quick 1 hour drive from Montreal and one of the coziest places in Canada. This 3 bedroom, newly built cottage comes packed with everything you could imagine. Blankets, board games, hot tub, tall windows with loads of natural light and forest views, an EV charger, a beautiful screened in porch and so much more.
Head over to their booking page here to learn more about this 5 star getaway and see how they make getting cozy easy peasy.
There are tons of ways to ramp up your comfort levels this season, which is your favourite?
