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The Art of wintering – How to feel good in the darker months

Writer's picture: Georgina HugginsGeorgina Huggins

Hands in gray knit gloves holding a steaming cup of coffee, creating a cozy, wintry feel. The background is blurred.

January often feels like a tough month to get through. After the excitement of Christmas and New Year, we're left with long nights, cold days, and not so much going on to keep us occupied. The holiday lights are gone, and our energy levels and bank balances may feel drained. But what if instead of dreading winter, we could lean into it? Embrace the stillness and allow ourselves to rest rather than fight against the season’s slower pace? What if we can do things that help us feel good in winter?


The concept of "wintering" has gained popularity in recent years – aligning with the seasons and nature’s rhythms, honouring our need to rest as well as do. And I am 100% here for it!


It’s easy to forget that we humans are part of nature too and we go through our own cycles and seasons just like the rest of the planet. Of course, I’m not suggesting that we can just crawl into the nearest cave with a cosy blanket and a good book to wait out the winter months – however appealing that idea might be – life is definitely still gonna carry on around us and we have things we have to do. But what we can do is shift our attitudes and make small changes where possible to conserve energy and allow in a bit more rest.


I am a self proclaimed ‘recovering over-doer’ and I have had many years where I’ve hit January thinking it was a fresh start and I could throw all my energy at new things only to feel bad when I over exert myself and end up burnt out by mid February. Over time I have learnt when to conserve my energy and do things that build up my reserves and when to use that energy. It’s an on going process but my yoga practice and yoga therapy training have been so helpful in teaching me skills to help in these winter months. And of course I want to share those skills with you, so here are some of my top tips to help you enjoy wintering.

 

Yoga Nidra


Person on yoga mat relaxing laying down doing yoga nidra, incense burning nearby. Calm setting with natural light and wooden floor.

Literally meaning ‘yogic sleep,’ yoga nidra is just about the closest thing we can do to hibernation. It is a deeply restorative practice that allows you to rest while staying conscious (although it’s not uncommon to drift off while doing the practice and that’s absolutely fine to). This guided meditation can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation—perfect for replenishing your energy during the quieter winter months.


Research has shown that Yoga Nidra can reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, improve sleep quality, and even enhance overall well-being. Think of it as an opportunity to rest fully and do nothing while actually doing loads of good for your body and mind – minimal input, maximum benefit, win! There are some recordings on the resources page of my website if you’d like to give it ago.


Slow, Gentle Movement


Person in a purple t-shirt and black leggings doing a child's pose on a purple yoga mat in a calm indoor setting. Light, serene atmosphere.

It’s pretty common at this time of year for people to want to dive in to strong exercise and get fitter, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, also spending some time doing slower, more gentle movement and stretching can help us match the energy of winter and feel rested, recharging us on a deeper level.


This kind of movement is also an opportunity to be more mindful. When we take our yoga practice more slowly, it’s easier to notice what’s happening in our bodies and bring our attention to the present moment. Mindfulness has so many proven benefits for health and wellbeing. Research shows that mindfulness can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and pain, as well as improving emotional regulation, and enhancing overall life satisfaction.


If you’d like to give this kind of movement a go, there’s a great short series called the Sunbird Vinyasa that I have recorded for you to follow along to on my resources page. Or you can just move in what ever way feels good at the time.


Journaling


At this time of year when nature has gone inward it’s a great time to do the same and journaling is a fantastic tool for this.


For some people, journaling comes easy but for many of us it’s a strange and alien concept and we just don’t know where to start. I used to be one of those people. I liked the idea of sitting with a beautiful note book writing page after page with ease but I struggled to find the time, the energy or the inspiration to get started.


But then something changed. I read a book called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, in which she talks about ‘morning pages.’ This is basically free-writing, putting pen to paper and letting yourself write whatever comes out. No goal, no need for it to be poetic or beautiful or even have much meaning, just getting your thoughts and feelings out of your head and on to the page so you can feel clearer. You don’t even have to read it back, I often throw mine away as soon as I’ve finished.


There might be times when you are more directed in what you write, if there’s certain topics or questions you want to think about or answer, but really it can just be the act of putting pen to paper that is so beneficial. Like how much lighter you feel after speaking to a close friend and splurging out everything that’s going on inside you, they usually don’t need to give advice just the act of being heard is enough to help.


And of course there is plenty of research that confirms the benefits. Studies show that journaling improves emotional well-being, reduces stress, enhances self-awareness, supports goal achievement and even improves physical health and immune function. I also have a close psychologist friend who says of all her clients, the ones who journal generally recover quicker.


Getting Outside, Fresh Air, and Daylight


While it is tempting to stay inside during the winter months, stepping outside can do wonders for your mood and energy. Exposure to natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, that’s your inner body clock that tells you when to eat, sleep, wake up and controls other functions too. In fact research has shown that getting natural light and spending time in nature can improve your sleep quality and overall alertness as well as reducing cortisol (your primary stress hormone).


Getting outside can also help us to reconnect with what is going on in the world around us. If we want to live in line with the seasons then taking sometime to be in outside is a great way to notice what nature, and the season is doing. I know if you live in a city or a town it might not be so easy to feel like you are connected to nature but actually nature is everywhere, even in built up areas. Take a mindful walk outside and you might just notice much more that you have before. And of course walking is really great exercise too.


Connecting With Others


It’s easier to become more isolated in winter, it can feel less appealing to go out when the weather is cold and the evenings are dark – I am rarely seen out past 5pm this time of year unless I’m teaching a yoga class. But we do still need to spend time with other people, we are naturally social creatures and it’s really important for our mental and physical health that we spend time with others. Especially people who we can be fully our selves around.


In her book Sacred Rest, Saundra Dalton-Smith describes the 7 types of rest, one of which is social rest. The idea that it can be draining to be around people with whom we feel we have to put on a front or who don’t accept us for who we are, but when we can be around people who love us for being ourselves then it’s a restful experience. We can take off our masks and stop using up energy wondering if we’re doing or saying the right thing, we can feel good for who we really are.


Maybe you can even combine seeing a friend with getting out for a walk and double up on the benefits!


Three people walk on a dirt path through a barren, hilly landscape. Overcast sky, sparse vegetation, and muted colors create a calm mood.

Hopefully you’ll find some (or all) of these ideas useful and join me in embracing winter and the goodness it has to offer.


Winter is a time of rest and it’s important to remember that rest is not a luxury, but a necessity. By aligning with the natural rhythms of this time of year, we allow ourselves the space to restore and rejuvenate, rather than pushing through the season with exhaustion and burnout. Whether through the deep relaxation of yoga nidra, gentle movement, getting outside in the fresh air, journaling, or connecting with others, we have tools available to nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits.

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