Moving Into Winter: Everyday Practices to Help You Live More Seasonally

As the last bright golds and reds of fall fade into winter, we are reminded that changes are happening all around us and within ourselves. If you live in a country where there are strong seasonal shifts, you may find that your feelings and needs also shift throughout the year. In the bright "yang" months of summer, hydrating sweet fruits like watermelon and pineapple tend to be more appealing, while in the depths of winter, hearty meals and warming dishes are usually what the body craves. If we listen to these innate needs of the body and mind, we may notice that summer pushes us toward extroverted sociability and adventurousness, while winter encourages an introverted lifestyle and a desire for more sleep. Following these calls of nature is the foundation of “seasonal living,” which may sound trendy, but is really the simplest and most humane practice we can do today.

Seasonal life is only challenging when we forget how human we are; when we spend endless hours in front of a screen; when we choose to scroll through social media instead of looking up while walking; when we choose the imported frozen meal instead of humble vegetables and seasonal fruits; and when we force ourselves to keep going when our bodies demand change. While we may all have different needs, abilities, and privileges, there are small changes that almost all of us can make to adapt to the seasons for our own well-being. When it comes to winter, this is the time of year to really listen to your needs—just as animals prepare for hibernation and plants press pause, we too would greatly benefit from understanding that it's okay to do a little less, it's okay to slow down, and it's definitely okay to switch from season to season. Read on for three ways to get into winter mode and the gifts and tools to help you get there.

1. Take care of your mood like you would take care of your immune system

With shorter days and decidedly dark nights, a touch ofSADor “seasonal annual depression” affects about 3 in 100 people, and the other 97 are just as likely to feel low if they don’t pay attention to their mood. While a lot of attention is paid to the immune system in fall and winter, our “mood system” should also play an important role. Sunlight has a direct impact on neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which play a key role in motivation and mood and which, when depleted, can also influence levels of depression. Since we tend to expose our eyes and skin to less sunlight during the winter, it's more important than ever to adopt daily practices to balance and improve our mood. Here are some ways you can get started:

A:Expose your eyes to natural sunlight within half an hour of waking up. This helps set your body clock, meaning you'll likely fall asleep more easily at night too. This morning dose of natural light also supports our natural cortisol rhythm and gives us a release of the motivational neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies show that the later we experience that morning light, the more likely we are to feel low or even depressed.

B:The scent 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 hints of uplifting grapefruit, lemon, myrtle and spearmint to lift your mood. It works so well thatIrritatedThey even call this balm “sunshine on a stick”.

C:Practicing gratitude can increase optimism, goal achievement and happiness, but studies show it also has links to reducing anxiety, depression and illness. When we are grateful, it helps put the mind in a positive state, which also has great benefits for the body. Many people are used to writing a gratitude list in the morning, but if you use the (link removed) you can write your list during your lunch break, while commuting, or at a time that suits you. Make it a regular habit and you'll notice the mood-boosting benefits in no time.

2. Slower

I feel likemuchof us feel like we need to slow down, but don't necessarily know how. Are you one of these people too? If so, see winter as the season to slow down and care for them moreShe.Seasons like spring and summer are inherently conducive to lots of activity, planning, execution, achievement, and generally living to the fullest, but when we try to live like this 24/7, it can easily lead to burnout. To live a more sustainable lifestyle that helps you feel balanced and well, it's important to shift energy expenditure throughout the year. Think of summer as your “doing” season and winter as your “being” season. Winter is a time to slow down, relax, dream, imagine, and let creative, original ideas flow into your mind. When we're constantly in a stressed out "doing" mode, we prevent ourselves from being creative and reflective, meaning we don't allow ourselves to explore new ideas and different approaches to life and work. Winter is your time off, but this is a time when 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 around again, it's time to manifest those dreams and ideas. Here are some tips for slowing down:

A:Swap one of your high-intensity workouts or strong vinyasa flow yoga classes for a restorative or yin class. Those of you who are A-type personalities may balk at the idea, but this is what your nervous system needs. Rest and rejuvenate deeply this season and your body, mind and nervous system will be so grateful when you spring back into action. Give yourself thisYogamatters x Bespoke Binny Turquoise Waves Bolsterand (link removed) and settle into a soothing restoration practice.

B:Learn how to bring more slowness into your life with Melanie Barnes, author of the beautifulSearch Slowly: Bring moments of calm back into your day.Despite modern facilities, we don't all have to be busy, stressed and tired all the time. If we allow ourselves to, we can feel calmer, more rested and therefore more vital.

3. Sleep more

During the bright summer months, it's normal for us to sleep a little less, but most of us sleep a lot less than our bodies need anyway, so this winter is definitely your invitation to snooze more. When we look at the natural rhythms of light and dark, it makes sense that we need to sleep more in the winter when the nights are longer. Our ancestors did this for thousands of years. However, with the invention of electricity and indoor lighting and of course Netflix, it's all too easy to stay up late at night. When we sit in front of bright screens at night in brightly lit houses, our brains assume it is still the middle of the day and we prevent our bodies from releasing melatonin - a hormone that allows us to sleep well. To get the sleep we need this season, start dimming the lights as the sun goes down and either opt for screen-free activities in the evening like board games, reading, listening to music or chatting, or wear blue light blocking glasses when looking at screens. Here are two more ways to promote better sleep this winter:

A:Start your evening relaxation session earlier (i.e. don't try to cram everything into 5 minutes before you want to sleep) by using theTisserand Sleep Better bath salts,and take inspiration from Dakota Hills and Sierra BrashearMoon bath ritualsbook while you are there. A warm bath about 90 minutes before bed can also make it much easier to fall asleep; When we come out of the bath, the body is warm, but when it cools down, this drop in temperature triggers the release of melatonin, the “sleep hormone” mentioned earlier.

B:After bathing, use Yogamatters Restore Organic Sleep Lotion with deeply soothing Lavender and Neroli. Focus on your arms, chest and neck for the ultimate sensory experience, then slip into bed and focus on slow, calm breathing to send you to sleep.