Midwinter Blues & the prickling of Spring
Finding pockets of joy, moments of gratitude and nurturing resilience on an empty tank.
That sub-heading I know can feel like a big ask. It’s possible complete apathy makes it eye rollingly annoying. BUT there is no getting away for many of us that January is just a long slog and February has just the audacity to feel even worse, it’s only redeeming factor is, it being short. So how do we not only get through but enjoy this time of year ? First of all acknowledge . Recognise the dark months you have just been through, the biting cold, the dark mornings we have to wake and rise to, the post Christmas fatigue and lack of forward planning for something. The short days, the endless grey- especially if you live in a city and are surrounded by concrete, muddy dual carriageways and car fumes. It can feel that those last reserves of vitamin D built up over the year before, your positivity and your energy have run to nothing. This is where February and I might add the first half of March, can kick you in the shins as they cruelly dangle some sunshine and the odd Chiff-Chaff call and some Catkins in front of you in hope. Only to throw in some named storm, some snow and a plunge in temperature.
When there feels so little on the ground and in the sky- look to the small things to focus on. In fact, what we could do is actively make the winter months a time to hunker down, hibernate, hone, practice rest and recharge.
Some low key easy ways to spend time in these months could be :
Warm cup of tea
Good Book
Nature walk
Connecting with loved ones
listen to music known and discovered
hobbies
relaxing baths
Films
Some low key easy things to practice that can also be beneficial to mind and body and soul are :
keeping a journal
reflecting and practicing noticing positives and daily wins
expressing appreciation to others
practice focusing on what you have not what you lack
Mindfulness practice, strength training and yoga
Managing darker colder months is to actively plan for them, and make them a vital part of your year as opposed to the months to drag through before the Spring. In the same way nature does. In this I have found one of the most successful ways for me to approach this is to use TCM ( Traditional Chinese Medicine) . TCM recognises this time of year and actively uses it with gratitude :
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), winter is associated with the element of Water, which represents:
Yin: Winter is the most Yin time of year, characterized by cold, darkness, stillness, and inward energy.
Kidneys: The kidneys are the organs associated with winter. They are considered the root of our vital energy (Qi) and are responsible for storing essence (Jing), which is our life force.
Fear: The emotion associated with winter is fear. This doesn't necessarily mean being afraid, but rather a time to conserve energy and avoid excessive activity.
According to TCM principles, it's important to live in harmony with the seasons to maintain health and wellbeing. Here are some general recommendations for winter:
Conserve Energy: Winter is a time for rest and rejuvenation. It's important to avoid overexertion and get enough sleep.
Keep Warm: Protect yourself from the cold by dressing warmly and keeping your body temperature up.
Nourish the Kidneys: Eat warm, cooked foods that are nourishing for the kidneys, such as black beans, kidney beans, and bone broth.
Cultivate Inner Peace: Winter is a time for introspection and self-reflection. Engage in calming activities like meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
I am not advocating any one principle or even you follow any of this, I guess what I am encouraging is an active mindful approach to a certain thing that is unavoidable. In doing so you have the control, the mindset of your choice and the probable success of waking in your den ,after hibernating, in the spring with a bed head and an empty stomach ready for a big stretch and an excitement for all life that is bourgeoning outside.