it's not your time to shine

“….it is not your moment to rise. It is winter, you are wintering. And you are right on time.”

- Wintering, by Donna Ashworth

How are your resolutions going?  We’re past Quitter’s Day, did you make it through or did you quit?  Hats off to you if you're still going strong- you’re in the minority.

And I think I know why.

Winter is a time to slow down, increase rest and containment.  It’s a perfect time actually, to REPAIR.  Our bodies naturally crave an inward energy, because our bodies move in cycles, just like nature. The winter cycle is one of quiet, a time to slow down and survive, not thrive.  And the more I think about it, I wonder if ignoring our bodies and the rhythm of this winter cycle is part of the reason depression and sickness rise significantly.  Yeah, of course, lack of sunlight and shorter days, plus the Petri dish of public places don’t help. 

But what if syncing our bodies with the winter cycle could increase the resilience of our immune system and ability to stay mentally balanced? What if a balanced root chakra is the key to moving with the winter?

The root chakra is the first chakra located at our tail bone. (There are 7 main chakras, the energetic centers in the body connected to energetic health.)  When the root chakra is balanced, we tend to feel more safe, secure, supported and trusting.  It can help us feel more grounded and balanced. This chakra also houses our kidneys, and winter is governed by the kidneys.  These guys are working harder to regulate fluids in colder weather. And because we sweat less, we drink less, and it’s easier to be dehydrated.  And when we’re dehydrated, our organs- including our brain- are affected. My family hates when I talk about this, but it’s science fam- that simple. Being dehydrated can increase stress on our organs, and when our organs aren’t at optimal function, we feel it both mentally and physically. We can work on supporting our body through the winter by increasing root vegetables, like carrots and potatoes.  More warm, cooked foods, less cold, raw foods. You should also continue to ground in nature.  If it’s too cold to be outside barefoot, try indoor gardening, a grounding mat or taking an Epsom salt bath.  Or…. Dress warmly and go to outside, lean against a tree or sit on a rock for awhile. And bring the outside in!  I love snake plants- they’re easy to keep alive and are good for energy protection.

And maybe my favorite way to help align with winter and work on staying grounded and balanced is the Scandinavian practice of Hygge (hoo-gah).  This part of the world experience long, cold, dark winters and this practice focuses on warmth, comfort, simplicity and togetherness.  When my kids were little, I made a Hygge area in my room. Lots of blanket, pillows, books and fairy lights.  We also had candle lit dinners most nights. They responded well to it, but not as well as I did! I loved those sweet times of connection and togetherness. Candles, slippers, pretty mugs, soft music and warm glowing light are easy ways to bring that sense of warmth inside.  If we tend to the needs of our BODIES we WILL feel more aligned with ourselves and with the environment.

Society has taught us to go HARD in January… make resolutions and stick to them… restart and recharge…. but the time to thrive is actually late March-April… the natural cycle of growth and renewal. Decreasing stimulation and demands while focusing inward is what this season asks of us.   Winter is a time to conserve energy, just like nature.  You don’t see much growth and thriving in nature right now, you see survival and conservation.  And when we don’t honor the energy of winter, our energy scatters, we can become burned out and it increases our susceptibility to illness.

So..what if we could actually use this time to heal?  Make it feel good to say no, say yes with intention, and enjoy smaller social circles.  It can be a powerful time to repair if we listen to our bodies.

Practice honoring your body’s cycle and ask yourself, what am I ready to rest from this winter? Start small.

And I give you permission to buy something to help you winter well.

My choice?  A new mug or beeswax candle:)

(And for those long, dark days, I love my light therapy lamp and grounding mat.  And a new favorite of mine suggested by a client to help protect from the Petri dish of people is the Host Defense Mushrooms MyCommunity Extract. Insight Timer has become my favorite app thanks to another client recommendation. So many free tracks to work on energy, breathwork, immune system, nervous system regulation and way more).