Seasonal Living: Winter Edition
Oh, winter. The slow season of hibernation and restoration. It creates excitement in some… and dread in others when it approaches every year. Participating in winter’s cozy reminders, hobbies, intentions, and nourishing recipes all help us welcome the blustery season and demonstrate how our bodies benefit from living in tune with nature and its cycles.
The song “Winter Wonderland” may be well-known for its Christmas flair, but we can lean into the wonders of winter long after the holiday season when we adopt seasonal living practices.
Recap of Seasonal Living
In a previous post, I wrote about seasonal living and embracing autumn in your life. To recap seasonal living: it is a way of living in rhythm with nature and its seasons by eating seasonal produce, participating in seasonal holidays, and looking deeper into what the lessons of each season can teach you or remind you about yourself. Instead of fighting the seasons as they come and go, it’s about finding ways to welcome them.
Reminders That Winter Brings
Winter may be the hardest season for most to welcome with open arms. Transitioning from the vibrant colors and mild temperatures of autumn to the darker and colder winter months, we feel limited in what we are able to do. For some people–especially those in parts of the world with extended colder months–the weather and shorter daylight hours can bring about seasonal depression and major “cabin fever.” Leaning into the unique lessons of winter and engaging in activities can help to change your perspective on the chilly season and may lead you to be in favor of its reminders.
Winter allows us to slowwww down. The busyness of the holiday season combined with its overwhelming amount of preparation may create a lull after the holiday cheer comes to a sudden halt. There are ways to overcome low feelings around the barrenness of winter!
Here are some ways to beat the blues:
Finding joy in the mundane
Some may call this “romanticizing your life” but wearing your favorite sweaters, lighting candles, trying out new recipes, designing a vision board, and illustrating a list of intentions, all support living in tune with the season of winter.
Start new hobbies!
Ever wanted to try painting? Get into that book series your friends have been telling you to start? Maybe you have been wanting to try out new recipes and spend more time in the kitchen. When we slow down enough to enjoy these simple pleasures and make time to begin new hobbies, we begin to become intentional with our free time.
Limit stress—it doesn’t need to be complicated
Other seasons can bring about the pressures of doing it all. Winter allows us to firmly press the pause button.
Embrace moments of solitude
Instead of fretting to fill your social calendar, take time for yourself. Give yourself the gift of self-care after the busyness of the holidays! Spend some nights alone for a cozy reflection on the couch or diving into a new book you’ve been excited to read. Check out my latest book chat on Atomic Habits.
Importance of staying active
Although it can be difficult at times, it is crucial to stay active during the colder months for both your mental and physical health. Having an exercise routine will help ward off seasonal depression disorder (SAD) and relieve stress and anxiety. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic notes that depression symptoms can improve just after 4 weeks of engaging in regular exercise.
Recipes
Winter means soup season is in full swing! Making soup is an easy way to pack a lot of nutrients into a single pot and have it be a satisfying meal throughout the week; a pot of soup is the ultimate meal-prepping hack! Try my minestrone or my lemon chicken soup recipes to satisfy your cozy cravings.
Winter Produce
Fruits
Lemons
Oranges
Grapefruits
Pomegranates
Blood Oranges
Clementines
Kumquats
Cranberries
Vegetables
Brussels Sprouts
Turnips
Leeks
Parsnips
Squash
Kale
Fennel
Beets
For a more detailed and individualized seasonal produce guide for your area, here is a website that allows you to enter in the U.S. state you live in and the time of the month you are curious about!
Embrace winter for all of its sweetness! Begin by reshaping the way winter is viewed and be in wonder of all the reminders and lessons nature can teach us about staying healthy and prioritizing our well-being. Winter contributes to the balance of life by being a season that is centered around rest. Stay cozy!
Want to feel confident in your health with each season?
Tap below to schedule a discovery call with me and let’s dive in together!