I woke up today wondering if March was named March because by the time it comes around we are in full swing of the year and the realisation sets in that time MARCHES on. Turns out is more practical than that, and was named after the Roman god of war, Mars / Martius. It was so named because it was the time when active military campaigns resumed. Clearly this stems from an area where they are going into Spring around this time, and probably also had more severe winters.
On this side of the world though, we are moving into autumn. Our days will get shorter and evenings nippier. Despite what the weather will feel like your mind and spirit will feel the shift. This is true for all seasons. No matter how hard we try and avoid it, the bodies we inhabit are designed for shifts just like the seasons around us.
We need these cycles though, because there are no energy systems that can keep going indefinitely. Some of our cycles are small, like sleep, play, and hunger. Some of our cycles are big, like the need to hustle, the need to rest, sickness, or wintering (slowing down and turning inward, reading this article or this one in The Guardian to understand the idea a bit better). On top of that, our personalities and bodies differ too, so for each of us leaning in to the different seasons and cycles of the year will look different.
Needless to say then, we sometimes struggle to do what is necessary, and our modern lifestyle is definitely not supportive of this idea.
Whether you need a reminder of how to lean into a season, or just need new ideas, or perhaps you are looking for more balance after a lifetime of hustling, here are some ways you can honour the shift in seasons in your day to day living!
Change Up Your Regular Exercise
A great way to move with the larger cycles of our natural world is to swop out your regular form of exercise for something more nourishing. Instead of swopping it out you can also add it on, even if it is just one day a week. Think yoga or longer and slower walks or (if you have the heated facilities, swimming).
On the other hand, if you tend to do lighter exercise in the summer months because you feel overheated, then autumn and winter could be the time when you step it up a bit and heat your system from the inside. Think hot yoga or running or dancing.
Take Time to Reflect
Whether you journal on a regular basis or not, autumn months are the perfect time to write yourself some notes. Reflect on what you wanted for this year, what you did so far to manifest that, and whether you may need to shift your goals or thinking in order to stay on a course that aligns with you.
You could buy a notebook / journal to write this down in, but it doesn't have to be expensive. A simple lined school exercise book will do. You can also just buy a notepad and after taking a few minutes to reflect, write down your affirmation or realisation or next action down on the note. Put it up somewhere where you will easily see it to remind you of where you are headed.
If you haven't done so already, creating a vision board could be the perfect way for you to spend an evening. Kids also love this, so it could be a family activity too!
Take Time to Affirm
Linked to the reflection, is the idea to reflect on what you value. So less about going and achieving, and more about what makes you tick and how you want your life to feel. Think about queries like the following:
What does self-care / nourishing / wintering mean to me?
What are my values? How do they show up in my life? (Do they show up?)
What are my principles? How do they show up in my life? (Is it clear when I look at my life?)
What am I currently reading / watching / listening to, and how does it make me feel?
What is my favourite movie / book / author / (insert item here) and why?
What am I passionate about?
What is my favourite season?
What do I think about when I think about autumn /winter? What can I learn from this?
Get Warm
There is no denying that some of us feel the cold more intensely than others. During the winter months there are some who believe we should be taking ice baths and swimming in cold water. While there have been studies that showed benefits from these activities, of equal importance (more for some) is taking the time to snuggle and get warm. Think of the benefits of a sauna or steam-room, a hot bath, or taking a few minutes to stretch in the sun (don't forget your sun screen!).
Getting warm doesn't need to come solely from the outside though. You can warm up from the inside too! Soup is always a winner, but you can also look for some new stews or spicier recipes, bake some bread and eat it warm, try some new teas, or even add some spices to your hot chocolate.
Re-Connect
Reconnect with the members of your household or friends by committing to one night every week or two weeks to play a boardgame or build a puzzle. The longer nights are perfect for this kind of activity. If you are a real fan of cozy evenings, light some candles and read some fairy tales.
It doesn't have to be a social affair though. You can simply invite everyone to sit around the fireplace or heater and everyone can read, draw or journal - together, but not together.
If none of the above feel like they would revitalise you, you can always opt for a daytime activity like going for a family hike or a picnic. Take the time to talk to all members of the family. Reconnecting means that you have to choose several activities over weeks, or something that everyone enjoys in order to make it meaningful.
In Conclusion
The natural world slows down over autumn and winter, and we can benefit from doing the same as well. As hard as it is in our modern world, slowing down doesn't need to be extreme. Just like animals and plants, humans benefit from nourishing our roots and strengthening our support systems by going a bit slower. We do this by remembering what we value - health, love, life - and looking for ways to strengthen the foundations of these before we grow up and outward again in the warmer months.
Some things to consider are:
changing up either your form, time, or intensity of exercise
reflecting on your goals for the year and working on the steps to stay on course, even when you veer off-course (think vision boarding and motivational notes)
affirming your ideals and the kind of life you intend to build by reflecting inward through journaling
warm your body from the outside or the inside
take the time to reconnect to the people you value through activities that strengthen those bonds
As we March on into autumn and winter, remember the daily all-seasonal self-care points are to get enough sun (remember your sunscreen), drink enough water, move your body, sleep well, and breath deeply. Don't wait until you break apart before you start taking care of yourself!
PS - Edna's Space has a dry sauna which is amazing in winter months! Our Pressotherapy machine is also a good option to keep the blood moving. Couple any of these with some body exfoliation towards to middle and/or end of winter, and you too will start to see Wintering in a whole new light.
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