Here we are in the thick of Winter. This time of year is what we call in Chinese medicine the “Yin” time of year.
What is yin? The qualities of yin energy are soft, slow, flow, create, inwards, reflective, cool, feminine, reserve, conserve, rest, digest.
Winter is the perfect time to embrace this precious time of yin, a time where we get to help ourselves restore and recover from the busy yang time of year.
The ancient Chinese sages used to embrace each season and live accordingly. When it was Winter, they would rise with the Winter sun, make the most of the shorter daylight hours by hunting, gathering and looking after their communities. Then they would rest when night time came, taking advantage of the longer nights by sleeping more, resting, restoring, allowing themselves to recoup their energy to restore their vitality.
The modern day version of this looks a little different. We still need to live by the seasons and use this Yin time of year to restore our vitality, energy stores, empty self love cups.
Here are 5 ways you can RESTORE during Winter:
- Sleep more
The days are shorter and nights are longer for a reason. We NEED to hibernate more when the weather is cold, this is our circadian rhythm – to rise with the sun and rest with the sunset, to turn in early and allow the restorative qualities of sleep heal our bodies, minds and souls.
- Assemble your self care team
They say it takes a village to raise a child…but it also takes a village to raise and support healthy, grounded, thriving adults! Winter is the perfect time to carefully select your self-care team so that you can call on them when you need them. A nurturing massage therapist with magic hands to restore your weary muscles. An intuitive acupuncturist to assist your body in building its yin energy. A grounded meditation teacher to help you release the need to always be busy and to embrace going SLOW. A soulful yoga teacher to guide you through the beauty of a yin yoga practice.
- Eat seasonally
Winter means we require warmth. Dressing in layers. Eating warming food. Drinking hot beverages. Be aware of what foods are currently in season and cook them to nurture your body. Think hearty, warming veggie soups. Rich, juicy stroganoffs. Warm water with a squeeze of fresh lemon in the morning. Switching your cold green smoothies for a cinnamon-rich chai. The warm qualities of these foods and beverages will help restore your cells, support your digestion and nurture your hormones.
- Reflect
Winter is the time to go inwards and reflect. It’s a time for introspection. Sit quietly in the gentle Winter sunshine, close your eyes and be still. What is present for you right now? What inner work needs to be done? What can you let go off that you have been holding on to so tight? What no longer serves you? What would you like to invite in, instead? Go inwards, breath, meditate, breath some more. Reflect and restore.
- Connect
Although Winter IS a time for more hibernation, it is still very important to stay connected to our communities during the cooler months. It can be tempting to stay on couch with Netflix on repeat all Winter! Whilst there is certainly room for this, research shows that staying connected to our communities, friends and families helps us feel more loved, seen, heard, accepted and that we BELONG. So keep scheduling those catch ups with your crew and keep the commitment even when its pouring and freezing outside! Your mental health will thank you for it.
Enjoy this delicious season of restoring.
By Kimberley Peters