Moving into winter: everyday practices that help you live more seasonally

While the last glowing gold and red tones of autumn go into Winter, we are reminded that changes around us and ourselves also take place everywhere. If you live in a country in which there are strong seasonal shifts, you may find that your feelings and your needs are moving all year round. In the bright “Yang” months of summer, moisturizing sweet fruits such as watermelon and pineapple are usually more attractive, while in the deepest winter it is hearty meals and warming dishes that are normally that the body longs. When we listen to these congenital needs of body and mind, we may notice that summer drives us to extrovert sociable and adventure, while winter promotes an introverted lifestyle and longing for more sleep. Following these calls of nature is the basis for "seasonal living", which may sound trendy, but is really the simplest and most human practice that we can do today.

seasonal life is only a challenge if we forget how human we are; If we spend endless hours in front of a screen; If we decide to scroll through social media instead of looking up when walking; if we choose the imported frozen meal instead of modest vegetables and seasonal fruit; And if we force ourselves to continue when our body demands change. Although we all have different requirements, skills and privileges, there are small changes that almost each of us can make in order to adapt to the seasons for our own well -being. When it comes to winter, this is the season to really listen to your needs - just as animals prepare for hibernation and put plants on a break, we would also benefit very much to understand that it is okay to do a little less, it is fine to slow down, and it is definitely okay to change from season to season. Read for three ways to get into winter mode, and the gifts and tools that help you get there.

1. take care of your mood, how you would take care of your immune system

On shorter days and decidedly dark nights, a touch of sad or "seasonal annual depression" affects about 3 out of 100 people, and the other 97 feel just as likely to be depressed if they do not pay attention to their mood. While a lot of attention is paid to the immune system in autumn and winter, our “mood system” should also play an important role. Sunlight has a direct influence on neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which play a key role in motivation and mood and that, if they are exhausted, can also influence the extent of depression. Since we tend to expose our eyes and our skin less sunlight in winter, it is more important than ever to use practices every day to compensate for and improve our mood. Here are some options for how you can start:

: expose your eyes to natural sunlight within half an hour after waking up. This helps to set the internal clock, which means that you will probably sleep more easily at night. This morning dose natural light also supports our natural cortisol rhythm and gives us a release of the motivating neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies show that we feel more depressed or even depressed, the later we experience this morning light.

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b: The fragrance is extremely strong and has a direct connection to parts of the brain that control thoughts and emotions. Use the (link removed) on your pulse, with a hint of uplifting grapefruit, lemon, myrtle and green mint to raise your mood. It works so well that irritated even call this balm "sunshine on the stem".

c: gratitude can increase optimism, goal achievement and happiness, but studies show that this also has connections to reduce anxiety, depression and diseases. If we are grateful, this helps to put the mind into a positive state, which also has great advantages for the body. Many people have used to writing a grateful list in the morning, but if you (removed) with you you can write your list during lunch break, while commuting or at a time that suits you. Make it a regular habit and you will notice the atmospheric advantages in the shortest possible time.



2. slower

I feel like a lot of us have the feeling that we have to slow down, but don't necessarily know how. Do you also belong to these people? If so, you see the winter as the season in which you slow down and take more care of you you. seasons such as spring and summer are naturally beneficial for a lot of activity, planning, implementation, achievement and general life to the fullest, but if we try to live around the clock, this can easily lead to burnout. In order to lead a more sustainable lifestyle that helps you feel balanced and comfortable, it is important to shift the energy expenditure over the year. Imagine summer as your "doing" season and winter as your "being" time. Winter is a time to slow down, relax, dream, to imagine something and to incorporate creative, original ideas into your mind. If we are constantly in a stressed "do" mode, we prevent us from being creative and reflective, that is, we do not allow ourselves to explore new ideas and other life and work approaches. Winter is your time out, but during this time we can think about what we actually want in life, whether we want to change direction and what we want to bring into the new year. When spring rolls again, it is time to manifest these dreams and ideas. Here are some tips for slowing down:

: exchange one of your highly intensive workout or strong Vinyasa-Flow-Yoga courses for a relaxing or yin course. Those of them who are A-type personalities may resist the idea, but that's what your nervous system needs. Rest and regenerate deeply this season and your body, your mind and your nervous system will be so grateful to you if you take action again in spring. Give the yogamatts x Binny turquoise Waves Bolster and (link away) and settle down in a soothing restoration practice.

b: learn with Melanie Barnes, the author of the beautiful. How you can slow down more slowness Slowly: Get moments of calm back into your day. Despite the modern facility, we do not all have to be constantly busy, stressed and tired. If we allow ourselves, we can feel calmer, restored and therefore more vital.

3. sleep more

In the bright summer months it is normal for us to sleep a little less, but most of us sleep much less anyway than our body needs, so this winter is definitely your invitation to do more to doze. If we look at the natural rhythms of light and dark, it makes sense that in winter, when the nights are longer, we have to sleep more. Our ancestors have done this over thousands of years. With the invention of electricity and interior lighting and of course Netflix, it is too easy to stay awake until late at night. When we sit in brightly lit houses in front of bright screens at night, our brains suspect that it is still in the middle of the day, and we prevent our body from releasing melatonin - a hormone that enables us to sleep. In order to get the sleep we need this season, start to dim the light when the sun goes down, and choose either for activities without a screen in the evening such as board games, reading, listening to music or chatting or wearing blue light protective glasses if you look at screens. Here are two more ways to promote better sleep this winter:

: start your evening relaxation session earlier (i.e. do not try to stuff everything in 5 minutes before you want to sleep) by the Tisserand Sleep Better Bathing salt , and let yourself be inspired by Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear. are there. A warm bathroom about 90 minutes before going to bed can also make falling asleep much easier; When we come out of the bathroom, the body is warm, but when it cools down, this temperature drop triggers the distribution of melatonin, the already mentioned "sleep hormone".

b: Use the yoga clamps Restore organic sleeping lotion with a deep calming lavender and neroli after bathing. Concentrate on the arms, chest and neck for the ultimate sensory experience, then slip into bed and concentrate on slow, quiet breathing to send you to sleep.