Self-love, layering & body temp
Listening to your body
Have you checked in with your body recently? Ours are cold.
With longer, chillier evenings, it’s natural to crave warmth and comfort. The colder seasons are maybe the most important time to pay attention to what your body is telling you — but sometimes, you need to ask it questions. ‘Am I feeling sleepy earlier?’ ‘Am I getting cold?’ ‘Am I achy, down, or dehydrated?’
Another necessary question to ask is ‘Do I need to rest right now?’Most likely, your brain will answer for you, and you might notice your body’s been gently signalling for extra care. Self-love starts when you tune in to what your body’s asking for. Sometimes, it’s as easy as slowing down, giving yourself permission to rest earlier (or take a nap), or just reassuring yourself — ‘it’s okay that I’m tired.’
Layering it up
Rather than relying solely on heating, try using layers to stay cosy. Soft cardis, hoodies, socks and throws can all be swapped or removed as your body temperature shifts throughout the day and night. Layering also allows you to experiment with materials, textures and colours that bring you joy and peace — a new cosy knit, that favourite hoodie you’ve had for years, or a wool jumper you’ve rediscovered that was long tucked away in storage.
Moody weather
Your body naturally cools down before sleep — as if it’s dimming the lights itself. This means that a slightly lower temperature in the bedroom helps your sleep cycle, but comfort is key. If you’re shivering, trapped in countless blankets, or even overheated, you’re not exactly heading for dreamland. Healthy sleep helps our moods. In moodier weather, we’ve got to try a little harder to create a cosy space that’s suited to our bodies. This is where sleep rituals come in — a mug of herbal tea, a warm bubble bath, meditation (or whatever helps you unwind) before bed can become a nightly cue for your body to start preparing for sleep.
These small acts of self-love aren’t indulgent, they’re reminders to your body that you’re safe, cared for and deserving. When you can’t control your environment, try taking control of your sleep routine.
