The Gift Hidden Inside Winter
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 about winter from the ancient Chinese. I’ve always been struck by how closely they observed the natural world, and as I reread my notes I was reminded just how relevant many of those ideas still feel today.
It made me wonder whether you’ve noticed something too.
Have you been feeling more tired lately? Perhaps you’ve found it harder to get out of bed in the morning, or noticed that you’re happier staying at home than filling every evening with another commitment. You might find yourself wanting an earlier night, a warm drink, a blanket, or simply a little more quiet than usual.
Many of us assume something is wrong when we begin to feel this way. We make another coffee, push through the tiredness, keep ourselves busy and wonder why we feel exhausted by the time spring arrives.
But what if your body is doing exactly what it was designed to do?
Winter is nature’s season of restoration. The trees slow their growth. Animals conserve their energy. Deep beneath the soil, seeds appear to lie dormant, yet beneath the surface they are quietly preparing for the seasons ahead.
The ancient Chinese saw winter in much the same way. Rather than viewing it as something to endure, they believed it was a season for replenishing our deepest reserves instead of constantly drawing from them. When those reserves begin to run low, we may notice unusual fatigue, lower back tension, aching knees, stiff joints, disturbed sleep, increased anxiety, or simply a sense that life feels more difficult than it usually does.
Instead of fighting the season, perhaps winter is inviting us to work with it.
That doesn’t necessarily require dramatic changes. Sometimes it begins with the small decisions we make each day. Going to bed a little earlier, enjoying warming foods such as soups, stews, root vegetables and herbal teas, spending time outdoors even on cold days, making space for reading or reflection, or giving your body the opportunity to release accumulated tension through massage or movement can all help support us through the colder months.
Winter is also a wonderful season for looking inward. When life becomes a little quieter, our inner knowing often has room to grow into wisdom. What looks like inactivity from the outside is often a time of preparation on the inside.
The slower pace of winter isn’t laziness.
It’s 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.
To support you through the season, I’ve included my sleep recording below. If you’re finding it difficult to switch off at night, settle your mind, or get the rest your body is asking for, I hope you’ll find it helpful.
▶ Sleep Recording (you will need to download it into your device before it will play)
So, if you’ve been feeling slower, more tired, or less social lately, perhaps your body isn’t failing you.
Perhaps it’s simply responding to the season.
Winter may be inviting you to do something many of us rarely allow ourselves to do—to pause, restore ourselves, and quietly refill our cup before spring arrives.
Warmly,
Elayne
Looking for a little extra support this winter? Massage can help release muscular tension, ease aching joints, improve movement, and give your body the opportunity to slow down and recharge. Book a massage here.
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Continue Reading the Winter Wellness Series
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the other articles in the Winter Wellness Series. Each one explores a different aspect of staying healthy, warm and well during the colder months.
- When Fear Gets Louder – Why everything feels harder when we’re tired, and how restoring our inner reserves helps us meet life’s challenges more easily.
- Are Your Bones Asking for a Little More Support This Winter? – Practical ways to care for your bones through nutrition, movement, sunshine and a simple Bone Breathing meditation.
- Looking After Your Kidneys This Winter – Why keeping your kidneys warm matters, together with practical ideas, breathing exercises and nutrition to support kidney health.