December 21st marks the first day of the winter solstice and the start of what Andy Williams sings as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” It is also the shortest day of the year because the Sun is the farthest south in the Northern Hemisphere.

With the holidays in full swing and the new year quickly approaching, making sure that we’re making time for self-care is crucial this season. These wellness rituals will help.

Welcome the Winter Solstice with These Three Rituals

Through uplifting affirmations, statements that liberate you from limiting thoughts, here are three affirmations for the winter solstice to align your spirit with the meaning of the season:

I welcome the rebirth of desired things, keeping an open mind to new opportunities.

With lighter days, I will move to further warmth and compassion in my life.

I let go of anything that no longer serves me.

You can practice saying these affirmations out loud to yourself. You can also try tapping your chest with a spiritual practice called E.F.T. – Emotional Freedom Technique as you recite these affirmations in your mind.

Welcome the winter with these recommended practices to intensify those warm vibrations for the colder months ahead:

Light up candles or keep your holiday lights turned on.

Bundle up and go outside to take advantage of the vitamin D whenever the sun is out.

Journal about the things that no longer serve and then burn them as a sign of letting go.

Speaking of journaling, convert your journaling into a writing ritual that includes specific questions (like these three below) to help guide you in your visions for the new year:

What do I seek to let go of in my life?

What rebirth am I seeking for this new time?

How will I bring in more light for this new period of my life?

Did any of these winter solstice rituals resonate with you? What will your spiritual practice look like this winter solstice?