If I’m honest, winter and I have a complicated relationship.
Don’t get me wrong—I love the magic of the season. The twinkling lights, the Christmas decorations, that first sip of hot chocolate by the window while watching the rain fall. But when the temperature drops? My body knows it before my phone’s weather app does.
My joints ache. My muscles tighten. And I feel so tired I could happily hibernate until April.
It’s like the cold creeps into my bones and refuses to leave. No amount of layers, heated blankets, or cups of tea can stop it from finding its way in. And don’t get me started on doing the school run at 8 a.m.—standing there shivering, trying to look like I’ve got it all together while my body feels like it’s been replaced with rusty machinery.
🥶 The Fibro & Cold Weather Combo
Living with fibromyalgia means my body is already in a constant battle with pain, stiffness, and fatigue—but the cold seems to amplify it. My joints hurt more. My hands feel like they’ve turned to stone. Even breathing in the cold air sometimes feels like it takes extra effort.
And while most people can warm up and get moving after a few minutes outside, for me it can take hours to feel human again.
It’s not just physical either—the fatigue hits harder, and my motivation dips lower. Some days, it’s a victory just getting out of bed and getting the kids ready.
👩👦 The Mum Guilt That Follows
Then there’s the mum guilt. My youngest, who’s autistic, loves being outdoors and exploring. But when it’s freezing, I can’t always take him out as much as I’d like to. I see the disappointment in his eyes when I say, “Not today, sweetheart.” And it hurts—because I want to do everything for him.
He doesn’t understand that my body has limits. That the same cold that makes him giggle and play makes me ache for hours after.
But we find ways around it—indoor sensory play, dance parties in the living room, story time snuggled under blankets. I’ve learned that love doesn’t need to be outdoors to be meaningful.
🕯 What Helps Me Cope During the Cold Months
It’s not easy, but I’ve found a few things that make winter more bearable:
💜 Heat therapy: Hot water bottles, electric blankets, and microwavable heat pads are my winter best friends.
💜 Layering properly: Thermal leggings under comfy clothes, warm socks, and soft scarves that don’t irritate sensitive skin make a difference.
💜 Warm baths with Epsom salts: They ease muscle tension and feel like a hug for your body.
💜 Movement (gently): Even when I don’t feel like it, slow stretches or short walks help my joints from stiffening up too much.
💜 Staying connected: Winter isolation can sneak up fast, especially when pain keeps you home. I try to call or message a friend, even for five minutes—it helps remind me I’m not alone.
💜 Mindfulness & prayer: On the toughest days, I take a moment to breathe, pray, and remind myself that seasons—both literal and emotional—don’t last forever.
🌨 The Honest Truth
Winter with fibromyalgia isn’t pretty. There are days I cry out of frustration, days I cancel plans, and days when I just want to hide from the world under my duvet. But there are also days filled with small, gentle victories—watching my boys laugh, managing a full night’s sleep, or simply sitting by the window, grateful for warmth.
So, if you’re struggling through the cold months too, please know this: you’re not weak for feeling it. You’re strong for surviving it.
We may not move fast—but we move forward. And that’s enough. 💫
Have your own tips or winter fibro struggles to share?
Comment below or email me at 📧 contact@wanderandrestlife.com—I’d love to hear how you cope through the colder days.