10. Practise saying ‘no’. Signing up for too many things – especially when they’re things you don’t want to do – is a recipe for burnout. Hibernation season is a great time to shake off any people-pleasing tendencies and practise saying ‘no’ so you can avoid overloading yourself during the rest of the year.

11. Hone your technique. Now’s the time to go back to basics and focus on the small stuff. If you’re a runner, look at your cadence. If you’re big on strength training, spend some time practising technique in front of a mirror. The little things add up.

12. Focus on building one-to-one relationships. It’s easy to let your friendships fall to the wayside during winter when you’re not going out as much, so instead of prioritising big group gatherings, try to make time for smaller moments of connection, says Anji McGrandles, wellness expert and founder of The Mind Tribe. “A film night, a slow-cooked meal shared at home or a book club can nurture relationships without depleting your energy during hibernation season,” she says.

13. Make time for touch. Whether with a partner or on your own, touch is a great way to calm your nervous system and boost levels of the ‘cuddle hormone’ oxytocin. Self-massage is an effective place to start – either use massage tools or experiment with these techniques.

21 things you can start doing now to make the most of hibernation season