Little Known Secrets to the Art of Wintering
So you don't feel burnt out by the time summer is here.
If you prefer to give this a listen, scroll down to hit play on the voice recording… Please enjoy the sounds of my insane puppy causing chaos in the background.😂
I personally love a New Year, I love a fresh slate, and I’ve grown to love the act of “wintering” as well.
Wintering is all about celebrating this yin season. This time of moving slower, and going inward.
Even though we can’t see it, new life is making its first moves deep underground. So although it is not aligned with the natural world to resolve to start may yang practices like high-intensity workouts at 5 am every morning for the first time; it is aligned to set goals for yourself for the year and allow for new life to begin to sprout.
This is a time to go within, and a time to dream, a time to make plans. Just like the plants are doing. Being in a cocoon phase now prepares you for the rest of the year, and I think that it helps to avoid burnout. Taking intentional time to rest is helpful in that way, even though it might feel weird to do it at first.
Surrendering to seasonal living has been a nourishing balm for my soul, and it feels nostalgic. Like I’ve come back home.
This is the first year I’ve permitted myself to engage in what I’ve been calling “the art of wintering.”
I’ve been doing some things that just make sense and I’ve also been exploring the views of ancient philosophy like that of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Here is what I’ve come up with:
Decluttering my home and focusing on the ways that my house can feel better has been an instinctive project for me lately. This clearing of space is literal but also energetic. Clearing space creates room for new abundance to flow in.
Leaning into circadian living. This one is an experiment I am working on. I will write more on this as I have more data in my own life. Essentially what I am doing is getting more intentional about the light entering my eyes after dark. The idea is blue light from screens, or even the LED bulbs in our homes emits a light wave similar to the blue light the sun emits in the middle of the the day in the summer. This can affect our hormones, especially cortical and melatonin levels. This disrupts sleep, and nervous system function and can even lead to weight gain. I have been following the work of Sarah Kleiner so if this is interesting to you, check her out as she is much more of an expert than I am, but she is where I am getting my inspiration for this experimental lifestyle change.
Reading fiction for fun: I do this all of the time, but during the colder months it ramps up because its a great way to really rest for me.
Long frosty walks: This is so grounding and also a superb form of rest.
Carve out time for cold weather play: Is there anything like playing in the snow and coming in for a warm cup of tea or cocoa? Board games, puzzles, and making art or coloring are also great winter activities!
Take advantage of soup season: It’s so cozy to eat a warm bowl of soup or stew with a great piece of bread. Cook with the foods of the season like squash and root veggies and see if you can find some new fun recipes that you have never tried before. One of my favorites is this cheeseburger soup. I know it sounds weird but it is DELICIOUS!
Indulging in coziness: The one thing I asked for for Christmas was a ridiculously expensive pair of bamboo pajamas that I probably would not have purchased for myself. They feel so indulgent, are incredibly cozy and soft, and make me so excited to snuggle up. I have also been burning bee’s wax candles to set the mood. I put on warm slippers so that I’m not walking around on the cold floor, I try to always have a cup of tea on hand and I just really focus on these small joys in life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the winter season is characterized by the water element and is associated with the Kidney organ system. Winter is considered a time of deep yin, where energy is drawn inward and nature undergoes a period of rest and conservation. The Kidneys are believed to store the body's vital essence, or Jing, which is foundational for overall health and longevity. During winter, TCM emphasizes the importance of nourishing the Kidneys and preserving energy. The cold and stillness of winter are seen as an opportunity to rest, reflect, and conserve one's resources. TCM recommends adjusting one's lifestyle and dietary choices during this season, incorporating warming foods, staying adequately hydrated, getting sufficient rest, and engaging in practices that support the Kidney's energy. By aligning with the principles of winter in TCM, you aim to harmonize, enhance resilience, and prepare for the vitality of the upcoming seasons.
Including black foods in your diet is believed to nourish and support Kidney energy.
These include: black beans, sesame paste lattes, blackberries
Other kidney-nourishing winter foods TCM celebrates
Bone Broth
Asparagus
Eggs
Quinoa
Seaweeds
Nuts
I want to just dive a little further into why black foods are prized during the winter season in TCM. To the Western mind, this might sound very strange at first. But there is a deep intuitive wisdom there. Foods like black beans, black sesame seeds, black rice, black mushrooms, jujubes (Chinese dates), blackberries, and more are all recommended in the winter because of their nourishing properties.
When broken down, it makes so much sense:
Warming Properties: Black foods are often believed to have a warming nature, which is beneficial during cold winters. In TCM, the kidneys are associated with the water element and are considered the body's primary source of warmth. Consuming warming foods helps to support and balance the energy of the kidneys.
Tonifying the Kidneys: Winter is Kidney season in TCM. The Kidneys play a role in storing essence and governing vital energy. Black foods, being nutrient-dense, are thought to tonify and nourish the kidneys, promoting their overall health and function.
Blood Circulation: Black foods are often associated with promoting blood circulation. In TCM, proper blood flow is essential for maintaining the health of organs and tissues and supporting kidney function.
Rich in Nutrients: Considering how rich in color (naturally) black foods are, it makes sense that they are rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Supporting Yin Energy: The winter season is associated with the water element and Yin energy dominance. Black foods often have a Yin-nourishing quality, helping balance the body's energies during this season.
Ayurvedic Medicine
In Ayurveda, there are three main governing doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) or energies. Each dosha is associated with specific qualities and elements. This time of year is considered Vata season. The characteristics of the Vata season include qualities associated with the Vata dosha, such as cold, dryness, and lightness. During this time, the natural environment tends to become colder, windier, and drier, influencing the body and mind. Ayurveda recommends adjusting one's lifestyle, diet, and daily routine to counteract the effects of the Vata season.
This includes:
Consume warm, cooked, and nourishing foods to counteract the cold and dry qualities of the season.
Include healthy fats like ghee and sesame oil in your diet for lubrication.
Stay hydrated by drinking warm beverages like herbal teas and warm water throughout the day.
Avoid excessive consumption of cold or iced drinks, as they can aggravate Vata.
Establish a regular daily routine to provide stability and structure. For example, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
Perform self-massage with warming oils, such as sesame or mustard seed oil, before showering to nourish and moisturize the skin. This also creates a coat of armor on the body helping to reduce nervous tension.
Engage in gentle, grounding exercises like yoga or walking to maintain physical and mental balance
Practice calming and grounding activities like meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness to soothe the nervous system.
Herbs:
This year I am starting a project: herb of the month.
I will write more about how to do an herb of the month practice in an upcoming article, but for January I have chosen Ginger because of its warming properties. It is a powerful circulatory stimulant that improves blood flow to the extremities effectively warming hands and feet! Because I am choosing one herb to hyper-focus on learning in my body each month, I will be interacting with it in some way each day. I chose ginger for January because it is a beautiful companion to warm but also to uplift and to ground.
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Ashwagandha
Cayenne
Elderberry
Rosehips
Pine
Garlic
Seaweeds (adding seaweed to bone broth or rice is incredibly hydrating during this dry season)!
If this inspired you, share what is calling to you this winter!
Loving the voice recordings! Miss you dearly hearing your voice is magic!