Winter Wellness
Alison Canavan’s 360 guide to looking after your mind, body and soul this winter
Change is something we all resist, but it is the only thing we are certain of in this life. Change occurs from moment to moment, day to day and also from season to season. I love the different seasons, because each one brings unique gifts and opportunities for our own personal growth and development.
People dread winter, but I feel it is the most misunderstood season of all. Winter is a time to retreat, relax and practise some self-care. As the Japanese proverb goes, “One kind word can warm three winter months”, so it’s really a time to be kind to yourself, get cosy, read great books, have long conversations by the fire and have a hug-in-a-mug, such as warm apple cider or hot cocoa.
Winter gives us an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves. It’s the gestation period of preparing for spring, just like a mother nurturing her unborn child. Under the cloak of snow and frost, there is real magic happening, and just as nature is taking time to work on that inner magic not visible to the naked eye, there’s an opportunity for us to do the same.
Life is busy, and we are more stressed than ever; the winter months give us an opportunity to slow down and find focus and flow. In the pages that follow, I hope to show you how to embrace this special season and all it has to offer, from the multi-sensory delights of winter spices, Christmas carols and cuddly clothes, to the real opportunity for reflection and intimacy that winter offers us all, through meditation, mindfulness and gratitude.
For true health and well-being, we need to nurture and nourish each aspect of ourselves. This includes looking after our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being and because seasonal changes affect basic functions like sleeping, eating, weight, mood, social behaviour and energy levels, we need to look at our daily habits and adjust accordingly.
We will look at the importance of creating an internal and external balance because, let’s face it, it’s way too easy to get carried away in a winter wonderland of festivities coming up to the Christmas season.
Did you know that your winter body is very different to your summer body? You see, our bodies are wise, and they are stimulated by light — sunlight in particular — so during the winter months, temperature, timing and light can have an impact on sleep, mood and food. So from beauty busters to mood boosters, I’ve got you covered. And remember, if you’re not a winter fan, just like our emotions, the seasons are not here to stay — they are just passing through.