Living a slow, intentional and holistic way connected to the seasons to me is the most natural way to live. There are many things we can do each season to feel our connection to nature and the season. Today I am sharing a few of my favorite ways to connect with the slow, hibernating and inward feeling of winter. To have self care practices/routines/rituals (whatever you want to call them) that you can call on to support you body, mind and spirit allows you to settle in to the season and make the most of it. Winter has a slow, deep and heavy feeling. It is a great time for reflection, rest and renewal. It is a time to look inwardly and see where and how we are within our body and mind. It’s a good time for a self care check up by taking inventory of what needs are not being met or where changes need to be made in all aspects of our life. It is not considered a time for us to be fast paced or hurried, it’s a time to slow down, find meaning in the little things and prepare for the busyness to come. 

• Incorporate Warming Herbs into Your Meals – Herbs and spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne, cardamom, thyme, black pepper and oregano are all considered warming and they can easily be added to broths, stews, soups, added to a high quality heat tolerant oil and tossed with vegetables and roasted, etc.
• Drink Herbal Infusions/Decoctions – You can add any of the above herbs to herbal infusions with any of your favorite herbs for winter. I absolutely love a nice warm cup of tea with just about any herb that is best used as an infusion, but even more so with warming herbs on cold winter days. Don’t forget to add immune support with adaptogens like astragalus and reishi. Add some elderberry syrup or other herbal goodies that support your immune system. I also like to relax at the end of the evening with a cup of tea made with herbs like skullcap, lemon balm and chamomile, talk about relaxing!
• Get Morning Sunshine – To help your circadian rhythm taking in natural sun light in the morning works wonders. Besides the hormonal benefits of getting natural light in the morning, it also means getting fresh air if you go outside to take in the light.
• Get Out Into Nature/Walk Daily – Being in nature is so nourishing on many levels. Taking a daily walk (appropriately dressed for the weather) can boost your mood, help move lymph and act as a form of stress management. 
• Focus on Gentle Movement Practices – Finding what exercise or movement practices and activities that work for you is key to overall wellness. Winter is a time for rest and recovery, so gentle activities are wonderful. I love my daily yoga practice and often take it a bit slower and deeper in the winter. Lifting weights is also a must, especially for those of us in perimenopause! Finding the right schedule and system may take some time, but it is so worth it. I aim for 3 times per week minimum for lifting and daily for my yoga, but I suggest finding what works best for you. 

Whether winter is super cold and snowy or just slightly cooler take the time to turn your focus inward. It’s a time for rest, spring will be here soon enough and there will be many things to do then. Winter allows us to check in and to refocus on giving our body what it needs through nutrition, nature and movement. It’s also a time to reflect back on the past year and make changes where needed. It is a wonderful time to plan how you want your year to look within your garden, kitchen and home. I hope this inspires you to embrace winter and all that it is.