5 Self-Care Activities to Do This Winter
Fresh lavender bath bomb from Craftland
Every time a new year rolls around—funny how that keeps happening—it feels like it’s the perfect time to reset and refresh. Whether you’re a resolutions person or not (we’re not), it’s always worth it to take a moment to slow down and consider making more time for yourself in the new year. Here are five self-care activities that are most definitely “in” for us in 2024! (And, even better, all of these activities are connected to small businesses located in downtown Providence, RI.)
1. MAKE SOMETHING DELICIOUS
We love a comfy night in almost as much as a night out! If you want to start January slow, why not pick up one of the hottest new cookbooks from Symposium Books and dive into a recipe or two? If you have a sweet tooth, Snacking Bakes: Simple Recipes for Cookies, Bars, Brownies, Cakes, and More by Yossy Arefi is excellent. Each recipe is quick and delicious (and psssst we are straight up seduced by the triple chocolate olive oil blondies). More is More: Get Loose in the Kitchen by Molly Baz is also a favorite cookbook of ours from 2023.
Interested in something to sip instead? We adore the cocktail/mocktail mixers over at Queen of Hearts! Grab a bottle of this Blackberry and Sage drink mix and add soda, seltzer, or lemonade to make a non-alcoholic bev, or some locally-made vodka available at Eno Fine Wines for a mixed drink.
2. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN AND HAIR
The cold, wind, and snow can do quite a number on our skin (and, honestly, our souls). That’s why we are huge fans of pampering ourselves at home with incredible local products. Had a long week? Nothing is quite as soothing as a steaming bubble bath at the end of the day. We recommend filling up the tub, unleashing a fresh lavender bath bomb from Craftland, lighting a Frasier fir candle from Homestyle, and relaxing. Treat your face to something special, too, with an exfoliating masa and olive oil paste from Queen of Hearts and Modern Love.
Want to start completely fresh? Book an appointment with our friends over at Urban Fellow Barbershop and Shave Parlour.
3. TRY A NEW HOBBY
Embarking on a creative journey is a great way to take one’s mind off things. We’re enjoying this DIY bluebird felting project from Craftland, embroidery kits from Queen of Hearts and Modern Love, and putting together puzzles from Homestyle (this jellyfish 1,000 piece puzzle is just gorgeous). If you want to try something less tactile but very emotive, make this the year that poetry is on your to-do list. How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination from Symposium Books is a fun introduction to the genre. (And not to worry- no one need ever see your written masterpieces. This can be just for you!)
4. GET OUTSIDE
If you want to get moving in the fresh air, Civil is a great stop to get outfitted with new shoes for walking (we’re obsessed with pro athlete Lizzie Armanto’s shoes by Vans, “The Lizzie”) or to tackle a new sport, i.e. skateboarding. Take your new—or tuned up—board and check out the downtown Providence skatepark, Adrian Hall Way, right next to Trinity Brewhouse. Ice skating under the lights at the BankNewport City Center is also a fun way to be outside in the city. (You just might be lucky enough to catch sight of us clutching onto the side of the rink for dear life.)
5. TREAT YOURSELF TO A TREAT
Of course it’s hard for us to complete a list of self-care activities to do this winter without acknowledging one of our favorite ways to stay well- savoring something tasty! If you’re a morning kind of person, Small Point Cafe, Little City Coffee & Kitchen, and Bolt Coffee are our go-to spots in the downtown Providence area to grab coffee, a treat, and all the hot goss from a friend. After work more your scene? We have a listing of the spots where we sip mocktails and cocktails right here. (We’ll take anything with egg white or aquafaba.)
No matter how you choose to spend this chilly winter, we hope that you’ll take time to indulge in some self-care activities. And if you’re supporting small businesses while you’re at it, well, that’s just the icing on the cake! Stay well, PVD.
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