The darkness of the season

Our moods tend to be heavily influenced by the weather and the seasons. According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 20% of people experience a form of “Winter Blues.” Some suffer from a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.) They note that women are more likely to experience SAD than men.. yet they aren’t sure why.

I do. Women are cyclic beings influenced by the seasons, the moon, and nature in general. It makes so much sense that women are more likely to deeply affected by the darkness of winter. As we head into the holiday season and the darker, colder months of the year, it’s important to remember to care for your mental and physical health. Below are tips to help you embrace the season:

·         Establish a routine. Wake up, drink water, shower, exercise, make breakfast, or read. Create a pattern that you look forward to that helps you gets out of bed on the coldest and darkest days.

·         Move your body every single day. Stretching, walking, yoga, or low-impact body weight exercises help your mind and body. Stay tuned to our website and social media for offerings.

·         Let the light in to your space and limit the use of electric lighting. While there may not be a ton of sunshine during the cold months, natural light can help boost your mood.  Excessive artificial light can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. Candles, salt lamps, or nightlights are mellow forms of light to utilize for darker days.

·         Meal prep using seasonal produce. When your energy is low, you may not feel like cooking and mealtime can be something to look forward to­– and boost your immune system. Batch baked oatmeal with apple, pear, or pumpkin for the mornings or prepare a crock pot meal or pot of soup with kale, lentils or winter squash. You may want to reduce your meat intake as it can make you feel lethargic.

·         Allow yourself to be cozy. Winter is the time to snuggle with the ones you love, drink tea, and wear your most comfortable clothing.

·         The wintertime can cause some to feel isolated and human connection is important. Call a loved one or make plans with a friend, or simply smile and wave at your neighbor as you walk your dog.

If you are interested in booking a reiki session, tarot reading, or private/small group yoga, please reach out to bodyrichmovement@gmail.com. Stay warm and cozy!