Align your lifestyle with the seasons

While the benefits of eating seasonally for us and the planet have become more widely known in recent years, we still have a lot more to learn about “seasonal living.” Over the course of a year, we move through a cycle of colors, scents, different hours of daylight, available foods, temperatures, and changes in the way our own bodies move through the cycle of life. Just as nature ebbs and flows, ebbs and flows, we also benefit from living in harmony with the natural changes that occur throughout the year. As a Buddhist wordparinamavadasuggests; Life is always in a state of constant change, and when we lean into that flow rather than work against it, we begin to rediscover what it means to live closer to nature, as we have evolved to do over thousands of years.

As we move deeper into the warm humidity of spring and steadily into the heat of summer, there is no denying that these months feel very different than the cold and dark seasons of fall and winter. If you've already experimented with seasonal living, you might find yourself eating locally or even changing your yoga practice to adapt to the energetic feel of each season. However, did you know that it's not just our plates and yoga mats that benefit from a change as we move from the yang energy of spring and summer to the yin of fall and winter? As Dallas Hartwig explains in his fascinating bookThe 4-season solution,Our movement, our daily habits, our environment, our social schedules, and our sleep patterns should naturally expand and contract with the changing seasons. While it is of course beneficial to maintain a consistent daily routine and rhythm in life, we best support our physical and emotional health when we recognize how intertwined we are with the world around us. When we start to adapt our lifestyle a little more to the seasons, we naturally create a more sustainable way of life for our bodies, minds and the planet. Read five ways to adapt your lifestyle to the seasons to better embrace each phase of the year:

1. Eat seasonally

Let's start with the relatively simple idea of ​​eating seasonally. By consuming food that grows around us - or at least in the same country - we are helping to reduce the pollution that comes from bringing that food to the table. Another great benefit of eating seasonally is that it gives us the opportunity to consume exactly the nutrients we need, exactly when we need them. In summer, the higher levels of sunlight and vitamin D can help us digest sugars in fruits much more easily, while in winter, the lower levels of sunlight are better for consuming less sugar and more fats. Bitter and astringent greens like dandelion leaves and nettle are abundant throughout spring, indicating that after a long winter of heavier foods, it's time to brighten things up with a natural seasonal cleanse, boosting the body's natural detoxification functions and nourishing the liver. Food sends information to the body, and by eating seasonally we help the body understand what time of year it is and support optimal digestion. Try recipes to get inspiration when cooking with seasonal foods(link removed)orThe yoga kitchenby Kimberly Parsons.

2. Move seasonally

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What type of yoga practice are you drawn to in the depths of winter? And how do you like to move on bright summer days? Tuning into our intuition is a powerful way to guide us toward movements, practices, and exercises that help promote sustainable physical health. Too much intense exercise throughout the year can damage your joints and adrenal glands, but at certain times it can be exactly what your body naturally craves. According to a wealth of research, humans moved more and for longer periods in the spring and summer, when days are longer and there is more time to forage for food and create shelter. Fall and winter are all about resting and recuperating, spending more time in silence and conserving energy. Grab yours for your summer exerciseTravel yoga matand go outside for a few lapsSun salutationsor plan a long nature walk. When winter comes, it's time to make the most of yourspad,Coverand warmKnit socks.

3. Socialize seasonally

Does it ever really feel natural to make endless Christmas party plans in the middle of winter, when the days are shorter and we naturally crave more rest? Our ancestors would have naturally been more sociable in the summer, spending time meeting new people and hanging out in larger groups of acquaintances, and then staying home with just a few close friends and relatives during the colder months to have more time. The oscillation between an extroverted and an introverted lifestyle not only helps us take care of our closest relationships, but also protects ourselves energetically. Large groups of people can be incredibly fun, but also incredibly stressful. Don't be afraid to say no to one too many winter social events, and when the peak of summer comes, plan garden gatherings and meet new people. To check with your energy levels, it is useful to keep adiarythroughout the year.Lauren AlettaThe seasonal soulis also a wonderful guide for finding ways to tune into the energy of each season.

4. Sleep seasonally

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While sleep is one of the most important pillars of health, we obviously need more in the winter and can easily get away with less in the summer. What is important, however, is that the amount of sleep we need is directly dependent on whether we are in harmony with the previous three points of eating, moving and socializing, even seasonally. I would always recommend balancing your circadian rhythm by waking up with the sun and going to bed shortly after sunset. However, if you need to sleep, sleep longer in fall and winter. Help support your sleepBath saltsand when summer comes, encourage yourself to get up early by maintaining a morning ritual.Linnea DunneGood Morningoffers a lot of inspiration.

5. Work seasonally

While this is the hardest way to live seasonally, there are certainly ways we can shift the amount we take on personally and professionally throughout the year. If you're self-employed, spring is a time to plan new projects and initiate ideas. Summer is all about putting those plans into action and diving headfirst into projects. Fall brings the energy to tie up loose ends and bring projects to completion. and winter is very much about taking a break and taking some much-needed time.TheDaily sizeBusiness planneris perfect for that. If you can't fully control your work life, take ownership of your routines and rituals, get more done in the spring, and prepare for hibernation in the colder months. Use thatDaily Goals & Wellness PlannerPlan your day the night before so you can wake up with a clear, calm, and focused mind.

A key point Dallas makes in his research on seasonal living is that many of us are stuck in a “chronic summer state” all year long. Eating lots of sugar, sleeping little, filling social calendars, exercising intensely and pushing ourselves to work longer than ever before. It's important to know that we not only benefit from changing with the seasons, but alsoneedto live more seasonally to be our best. Take your time, experiment with what works best for you, and remember that seasonal living is about cultivating a life that feels authentic to you year-round.