Today is the first day of winter here in New Zealand.
Recently, while sorting through some old notes from my studies, I came across some fascinating teachings from the ancient Chinese perspective on winter and wellbeing. The Chinese have an uncanny understanding of the natural rhythms of nature, and as I reread the notes, I was struck by how relevant they still are today.
Let’s start with a question: have you noticed yourself feeling more tired, or wanting to spend more time at home lately?
Perhaps you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning. Maybe you’d rather stay home than go out. You might feel less motivated, need more sleep, or find yourself wanting a quiet night with a blanket and a cup of tea rather than another commitment.
Many people assume something is wrong when they feel this way. We drink more coffee, push through the tiredness, fill every spare moment with activity, and wonder why we feel exhausted by the time spring arrives. But what if your body is doing exactly what it is designed to do?
Winter is nature’s season of restoration. The trees slow their growth. Animals conserve their energy. Deep beneath the soil, seeds lie dormant. From the surface, it looks like nothing is happening. Yet everything is preparing.
The ancient Chinese viewed winter in much the same way. They believed this season was a time to replenish our deepest reserves rather than constantly spend them. When those reserves begin running low, we may notice signs such as unusual fatigue, lower back tension, aching knees, stiff joints, disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, or simply a sense that life feels harder than it should.
Rather than fighting the season, winter invites us to work with it.
A few simple ways to support yourself this winter are:
• Allow yourself a little more sleep where possible
• Choose warming foods such as soups, stews, root vegetables and herbal teas
• Spend time in nature, even on cold days
• Create moments for reading, journalling, reflection or quiet contemplation
• Give your body opportunities to release accumulated tension through massage and gentle movement
Winter is also a wonderful time for looking inward. When life becomes a little quieter, our inner knowing often begins to mature into wisdom.
The slower pace of winter is not laziness. It is preparation. Just as a seed gathers strength beneath the soil before spring arrives, winter gives us an opportunity to restore ourselves before the busier seasons return.
As a gift to support you through the season, I’ve included my sleep recording below. If you’re finding it difficult to switch off, settle your mind, or get the rest your body is asking for, I hope it helps you create a little more space for restoration. Click here.
So, if you’ve been feeling slower, more tired, or less social lately, perhaps your body isn’t failing you. Perhaps it is simply doing what nature intended – responding to the season. Winter may be inviting you to do something many of us rarely allow ourselves to do. Rest. Restore. And refill your cup before spring arrives.