Five January Wellbeing Tips To Prioritise Self Care in 2026
4 Min read
January was historically a time for rest, repair, and renewal spent gathered around the fires and taking on slower-paced tasks.
Fast forward to today, where, as soon as the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve, we’re bombarded with January gym deals, diets, and workout challenges often before we’ve recovered from the busy festive period.
With the urge to hibernate in the winter months deep within our DNA, how do we prioritise self-care in January? Ancient + Brave nutritionist Jo Woodhurst is on hand with 5 winter wellness rituals to carry you through January and beyond.
1: Embrace winter’s nature
Nature in winter is not always immediately inviting. Bare trees, wet paths and cold air can make it tempting to stay indoors.
But winter has its own kind of life if we really pause to notice.
Moss thriving in damp corners. Mushrooms popping up through fallen leaves. Frost settling into delicate patterns. Nature is not gone in winter, it is simply quieter.
Time outdoors continues to offer meaningful health benefits year-round. Research shows that being in nature can help reduce stress hormones, support healthy blood pressure, improve sleep patterns and positively influence mood.
These effects come from a combination of factors, including natural visual patterns, changing light levels and even scent. Trees release aromatic compounds called phytoncides that help protect them and have been shown to support immune function and emotional wellbeing in humans.
Rather than long walks or ambitious plans, think small and regular. A few minutes of daylight exposure in the morning. A short walk at lunch. Standing outside for a few slow breaths. Consistency matters more than duration.
2. Eat for winter resilience
Find yourself feeling more run down in January? In the UK, seasonal illness peaks between December and February, while stress and reduced daylight can leave energy levels lower.
Vitamin C-rich foods are naturally abundant at this time of year for good reason. Citrus fruits, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and leafy greens all help support immune health and energy, particularly during periods of stress when requirements increase.
Magnesium is another nutrient many people fall short on in winter. It plays a role in hundreds of processes in the body, including energy production, nervous system regulation, immune support and hydration.
Magnesium also supports vitamin D metabolism and can be helpful when mood dips during darker months.
Food sources include dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and cacao. Additional support can be found in True Magnesium+ and True Nightcap, both designed to fit naturally into evening rituals.
3. Support hydration and electrolyte balance
Hydration is often something we focus on in the summer months, but it also needs attention during the winter.
Harsh weather and indoor heating play havoc with your system, leaving your body dehydrated and skin dry. Lower temperatures also reduce our natural thirst responses.
That’s where electrolyte minerals can help. These transport water into the cells and help to maintain the all-important fluid balance that your mucus membranes (crucial for immune and gut health) rely on.
Warm drinks such as herbal teas, infusions and broths all contribute to daily fluid intake and help regulate body temperature.
For added mineral support, mix 6g of True Hydration into warm or room-temperature drinks as part of your daily routine.
4. Eat slowly and mindfully
Our digestive system is in full swing during the festive season, thanks to richer foods, snacks galore and generally much more indulgence. This can impact the way our bodies feel - especially the way our digestive system feels and functions.
A balanced gut supports whole-body health. To help your gut rebalance after the Christmas period, eating at regular times, spacing meals and reducing distractions can help the digestive system settle. Taking a few slow breaths before eating helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports digestion. Take the time to chew your food properly to help avoid bloating, trapped wind and discomfort.
For added gut health support, consider including True Biome in your January wellbeing rituals. Next generation gut care, this uses the triple-action of prebiotics and postbiotics and PHGG fibre to support microbial balance and protect the delicate gut lining.
5. Treat sleep as essential
Christmas can be an emotionally charged time that brings a combination of excitement, stress and overwhelm. Longer days and late nights disrupt our routines, leading to tiredness and feeling burned out by January.
Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for restoration, repair and resilience, helping to prevent seasonal illness and fatigue. Protecting it is one of the most effective forms of winter self-care.
If better sleep is your January 2026 wellbeing goal, create calm evening rituals by swapping screen time for practising meditation or curling up on the sofa with a good read.
If you are someone who struggles with sleep, a cup of True Nightcap is an ideal evening companion. This not only helps promote restorative sleep but also contains key nutrients that support your body's stress resilience when you are feeling low and stressed.
Alternatively, why not make True Ashwagandha part of your evening rest ritual? Its adaptogenic properties support a balanced response, promoting feelings of calm and resilience against both internal and external stressors.
January does not need to be a reset. It can simply be a steadier way of moving through winter.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026!
