HOW TO EMBRACE WINTER

Just like most living things on this earth and like Mother Earth herself, humans are cyclical beings. In winter, we naturally feel less active and social, and enter a period of introspection. We are less focused on our outer circles and become more involved with our inner world and our most intimate relationships.

The way in which modern society is structured does not honour the cyclical nature of us as humans, but rather focuses on constant productivity Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. This does not account for the fluctuation in our productivity and energy levels as we move through the seasons.

Growing up in this society has us push through our innate rhythm can lead to states of burnout and can cause illness. We can even blame ourselves for not living up to these impossible standards of productivity, not allowing ourselves enough time for rest especially in winter. This can mean that by the time spring and summer roll around when we have continued to push through winter, we haven’t built up the energy reserves to be more energetic and social in the warmer seasons. But ignore our cyclical nature, we can become depressed, exhausted, and depleted.

Tap back into our natural flow by using winter as a time of introspection, replenishment, creativity and nourishment.

1.       EAT WARMING AND HEARTY MEALS

Just like how in summer, we crave lighter and refreshing foods such as salads and cold drinks, in winter we want the opposite. There is a reason why we crave warming meals such as soups and hot teas in winter. As the body burns more energy keeping itself warm in winter, we naturally crave more substantial foods.

Eat plenty of curries, soups (LINK), roasted vegetables and hot drinks LINK TEA in the cold weather. To keep you feeling warm from the inside out, be sure to include plenty of warming herbs and spices into your cooking such as chilli, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, clove, nutmeg and turmeric. Many of these herbs and spices naturally boost the immune system and circulation to keep you well throughout winter.

Avoid cold foods such as salads, tropical fruit, and iced beverages. Consuming cold food and drink in winter can lower the body’s immune defences, making it more susceptible to colds and flus. This is because the body must work twice as hard to heat these foods up to body temperature.

2.       PICK UP A NEW HOBBY YOU CAN DO FROM HOME OR REIGNITE AN OLD ONE.

As we feel less social in the cooler months, we may spend more time in solitude. Harness this beautiful, creative time by ditching the Netflix blackhole and learn a new hobby.

-          Knit, stitch, macrame, crochet

-          Learn how to play a musical instrument

-          Paint, draw, sketch

-          Journal, write poetry, read a good book

3.       SAY NO TO PLANS WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE THE SOCIAL ENERGY.
Saying no to friends and family when you would rather stay in and rest can be a difficult thing to do. We would have all gone out many times against out better judgement when we are feeling weary from pressure from others and even from ourselves. I am the first to appreciate the importance of a night out with friends having a good boogie, however, when it is at the cost of depleting your already frazzled nervous system, staying in can be just as good for the soul.

Perhaps you have just finished work on a Friday after a busy week and your phone is blowing up with messages from friends wanting to lock you in to a night out. Before committing to plans, take a moment to yourself to tune into how you are feeling and consider what your body needs. Does it need rest and nourishment, or do you feel like being social? Your mental and physical health should always come first over peer-pressure or the self-imposed pressure of not being at home on a ‘Friday night.’  Once you practice better boundaries on how you spend you time, you will notice that those who are bothered by you saying no may not have the same boundaries in their lives. You have the right to decide what you want to do, and you shouldn’t have to come up with elaborate excuses to do so because the people that matter will understand and respect your choices.