Photo by Hernan Sanchez on Unsplash
Are you tired, lethargic, maybe even a bit grumpy at this time of year? Do you want to eat more and do less? Maybe you’re more contemplative? It’s winter now in the northern hemisphere and our bodies need a different pace and rhythm to what they did during the peak of summer. We are animals (it’s shocking to be reminded sometimes but it’s true) and we have biorhythms that are in sync with the natural rhythms of the Earth, yet do we even notice them, let alone know how to honour this?
Both science and ancient wisdom traditions are well aligned on how we need to look after ourselves at this time of year.
Sleep and food
Early sunsets and short days can be draining as they may prompt an earlier rise in the natural production of melatonin. Colder temperatures can also boost our metabolism, which increases our need for both food and sleep.
Needing more sleep is natural in the wintertime. According to the National Sleep Foundation the normal range is an extra 1.75 to 2.5 hours per night, and the experts say going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is one way to achieve better sleep.
Research had also shown that the amount of REM sleep increases in winter. While all sleep is important, REM sleep in particular plays an important role in dreaming, memory, emotional processing, and healthy brain development.
Elaine Aron writes about HSPs needing to stay in bed for 10 hours a night, whether sleeping or just resting. That’s right 10 hours. I can hear you thinking how on earth will I fit that into my busy schedule! Whatever the amount of sleep and rest that is right for you, it’s important to honour that you’re an HSP and you do need more rest – not least of which for all that extra and depth of processing that HSPs do.
Seasons as phases of the Sun
The Earth’s seasons can be understood as ‘phases of the Sun’, similar to how the Moon goes through its cycle of phases. This graph shows the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, with the x-axis being time and the y-axis being intensity of Sun energy (blue) and temperature (pink).
Ancient wisdom traditions honoured this and the different times of the year. They honoured that we humans, as well as every part of the natural world that we are a part of, need different things at different seasons. It’s important that we lean into each and every season and what it’s telling us, rather than fighting against it.
This is Phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals from season to season and year to year, such as flowering of plants, emergence of insects and migration of birds, especially their timing and relationship with weather and climate.
Bears spend all spring, summer, and autumn eating and fattening themselves up just to hibernate all winter. Flowers and vegetables stunt their growth and die off, only to return, thriving in the spring and summer months. Creatures and plants are in tune with the natural seasons of the Earth, whereas humans are not.
The modern world
Electricity with instant lighting and heating was a wonderful invention and with that pulled us away from living alongside nature, telling us that we need to work five days a week, every week, for the rest of our lives. Our modern world doesn’t take the seasons into effect, or even a woman’s monthly cycle into consideration. We are expected to perform in our careers despite the natural changes inside us and all around us.
This time of year, we are programmed to slow down, to conserve energy and prepare for an abundant spring and summer. This isn’t being lazy, this is simply being in tune with nature.
We need to reframe what success looks like in the winter months. Instead of looking at how productive we are or how much money we’re making or how things are progressing, it’s much more important to pay close attention to how your body feels. After all, what good is success if you’re too sick to enjoy the rewards? Are you getting the rest you need? Are you conserving energy? Are you taking the time to deepen your relationships with family and friends? Are you reflecting on yourself and where you’ve come from and what you might want to look forward to next year?
All these are measures of a successful Winter. This time of year is meant to prepare you to reflect on where you’ve come from and get ready for the warmer months ahead.
How will you honour yourself this winter?
Winter is also a time to reflect on life. What special messages have you noticed about the changing seasons of your life? Some parts of you may have bloomed, while others are just beginning to emerge. Some aspects may have died and faded away, while others have gone to seed with the potential to bring new birth in the future. Perhaps this time of year will remind you of the changes and seasons of your life as well.