The first snow has blanketed the earth. My refusal to wear a coat has officially come to an end. With the changing of seasons, and evening settling in at what feels like 4pm in New York, I feel as though I was born into this world as the wrong species.
I think the bears had it right all along!
Let’s hibernate all winter?
Or actually, maybe the birds.
Bahamas from November to March, anyone?
For those of us in 4 season climates, winter can take up a large part of the year which means the combination of chilly days and extended darkness makes staying inside between 4pm-9am everyday incredibly enticing. Every year I anticipate the inevitable gray cloud that seems to follow me around as the air gets cooler. November is a particularly difficult month for me because of this. The change in season impacts my energy, mood, motivation, hobbies, everything. However, instead of resisting this inevitable reality, I’m choosing to lean in. Leaning in to the changing seasons. Leaning in to the unique gifts the cooler months have to offer. Watching the snow fall slowly. Wearing my favorite LL Bean slippers while I drink my morning coffee. The simple delights that make life full of ordinary magic.
Below are the tips I plan to implement as the chill continues to settle in and the cloudier days outnumber the sunny ones. As you read through, notice what resonates with you and what doesn’t. Pick and choose according to your genuine curiosity. And most importantly, get cozy!
1. Cultivate a cozy morning and evening routine.
The warmer months make it much easier for me to get out of bed and outside into the morning light, which not only resets the circadian rhythm, but also gently awakens my mind and senses. Although I still make a point to get out everyday, it doesn’t always happen in the morning during the cooler months. Gentle movement like yoga, a hot cup of coffee, intentional silence, and journaling are my preferred routine for the chilly, darker mornings. I love setting the tone and making life’s simple treasures a true “experience.” I don’t just make a cup of coffee, I watch it brew and allow the smell to dance and swirl into my senses.
Ask yourself: What is one thing I can do in the morning and evening to reset my mind and embrace the change in season?
Some ideas: if you’re a tea drinker, consider buying loose leaf tea at a local tea shop and make it a ceremony to brew your tea in the morning (or evening).
Pick a book of poetry to read that inspires you and resets your mind and breathing. Perform some gentle yoga postures (I love guided morning/evening yoga videos online). Buy a puzzle and invite a loved one to do it with you. Light some candles, create the space for coziness!
2. Cook a seasonal meal.
What are you hungry for? As the air gets chillier, you may find yourself craving stews and soups and hearty bread to dunk into yummy sauces. Let’s lean into that. The body is preparing for winter! One way to get familiar with different vegetables (rather than eating the same ones all the time… I’m guilty!!!) is to cook with what’s in season.
Vegetables in season: brussel sprouts, squash (acorn, butternut, spaghetti squash), sweet potato, kale, porcini mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, beets.
Fruits in season: Pomegranates, persimmons, pears, apples, cranberries.
Additional: Walnuts, almonds, pecans.
Find a new recipe or better yet, create your favorite homemade meal. Integrate the fruits and vegetables in season. You feed your mind, heart and soul when you cook in season and honor what the body desires. You can look up plenty of delicious recipes on Pinterest or, if you’re interested in a cookbook, I’ll link one of my favorites here. The recipes are wholesome, nourishing, and satisfying. The perfect trifecta!
Ask yourself: How can I nourish my body and mind with what is in season? What’s one meal I can make this week to savor?
3. Engage your mind.
It’s easy to get addicted to social media and TV especially when it’s chilly, dark, and uninspiring to be outside. While movie nights can be a fun shared experience with friends, there are plenty of things you can do to engage and stimulate your mind so that the couch isn’t your only friend during the winter months. Some ideas: Look up local workshops and see if anything sparks excitement. If you’re on a budget, be sure to check out your local library to see what is out there. Take up a craft: calligraphy, card making, origami, you name it! Take a photography class or a pottery class. The mind thrives off of creativity! Learn a new language (this one is particularly exciting to me as I’ve chosen to hirer a tutor to learn Italian and connect with my Italian roots!).
Ask yourself: What am I curious about? What is one way I can engage my mind today? Spend at least 10-15 minutes cultivating this each day. You’ll be amazed to see how much more engaged you become with life when you spread your mental wings and learn something new!
4. Get outside.
You can still embrace nature and its eternal beauty even during the winter. Because I never did any winter sports growing up, winter has always been the hardest for me to embrace. However, I find that when I consistently get outside even when it’s cold, I feel so much more invigorated and energized. Get outside in any capacity for at least 10 minutes. Perhaps it’s walking the dog or walking the neighborhood. Or if you’re walking distance from the library or your favorite cafe you can make that a part of your routine. Be intentional about getting fresh air into your lungs. You may even start to enjoy winter in a new way. Nature has so much beauty. We are creating new associations here. Colder months are cozier and I don’t know about you but that is one of my favorite things!
Ask yourself: How will I commit to getting outside? What’s one thing I noticed and cherished in nature while being outside?
5. Move your body.
Just like our body craves different foods depending on the season, notice what sort of movement your body is asking for. The seasons always have a gentle whisper of wisdom to offer us. Are you listening? I believe we receive these messages through our body and our mind. Maybe winter isn’t the time to go to spin class 4 times a week. Perhaps your body is craving something gentler, something that creates more ease. Like a snowflake falling softly from the sky, we too, can offer ease and gentleness to our own bodies as well during this season of hibernation.
As a personal trainer I am a total advocate for discipline and doing what is good for the body even if we aren’t in the mood for it. However, I believe the body has wisdom that is far beyond what the “wellness world” and science has been able to research thus far. This means we cannot override our body’s messages by forcing and pushing ourselves when our body is fighting against it. True health is honoring our body from a holistic perspective: mind, body, and spirit. Yes, getting the heart pumping is great for the cardiovascular system, however, I want you to ask yourself: what does my body truly need today? During the colder months I find myself drawn more towards strength training and restorative yoga; In the spring, I find myself more drawn to running, high intensity exercise, etc. There are ways to stay healthy and honor the season that our body is in. Try a new class at your local gym. Or join an outdoor snowshoeing group. Moving the body is so much more than “calories burned.” Follow what your body is drawn towards and see where it leads you.
Ask yourself: What sort of movement am I drawn towards right now? How can I honor my body’s physical needs for movement? If nothing comes to mind, look up some classes at your local gym or wellness center, and see what excites you!
6. Plan in intentional connection.
I love how the winter inspires me to look inward and reflect. I think that’s part of the magic of it. Watching the sparkly snow fall from the sky; reading a good book. All of these things are wonderful! However, we must balance out these moments of solitude with moments of meaningful connection. We can’t all become hermits during the winter. We need each other! Reflect on the relationships in your life that you want to cultivate and pour into. Is it a particular friend? Or a friend group? Come up with a weekly or monthly plan to see this person or friend group. It could be a gathering to watch your favorite show or a designated game night. Perhaps you meet up at a cafe and discuss a book you’ve chosen to read.
Ask yourself: Am I connected with the friendships and relationships in my life? Do I feel seen? If not, how can I foster that? How can I pour into the friendships/relationships I do have?
I hope these tips blanket your heart for the colder months ahead. For anyone who struggles with seasonal affective disorder, please know that you are not alone and there is always professional help out there as well. I’d love to hear any of your tips in the comments below. Feel free to share this post with anyone you know!
”Serious transformation begins with two commitments: the courage to try new things and act in new ways; the honesty needed to no longer hide from or lie to ourselves.” - Young Pueblo