What would you say if I told you that your body has just as many seasons as our beautiful planet?
Our ancestors survived and thrived off the bounty of the land. They were growing, foraging, and hunting for their sustenance, which changed with the seasons. As such, our bodies harnessed this seasonality from the sun, moon, and food sources, developing an internal rhythm harmonised with nature.
One industrial, one scientific, and one technological revolution later, and we still have these internal rhythms – But we don’t listen to them!
Our chronic pursuit of productivity and efficiency has saved us from the “unnecessary” labours of life, but they’ve also removed us from a genuine connection with our bodies. This imbalance is to illness like the flame is to the moth. Moving away from our natural rhythms is absolutely at the core of the stress epidemic and, in turn, at the core of all chronic disease.
Modern society lives in a perpetual summer, but our bodies need winter for the natural death, rebirth, and healing cycle of our organs and cells.
Prepping for Winter
Diet
Different foods are available at different times of the year. So naturally, different diets do better for your body and internal processes at different times of the year. Think about what types of food are naturally occurring during fall and winter in our local area.
Your winter diet should consist of more protein and higher fat. Think of warming yourself from the inside out with classic winter comfort foods like a hearty stew packed with protein and root vegetables. Cut back on raw foods, particularly those that aren’t naturally occurring in winter.
Winter is also a great time to avoid sugar as much as possible. The body naturally becomes more insulin-resistant in winter, a mechanism our ancestors adopted to help regulate their metabolisms during the cold seasons.
Movement
The winter is a time to slow down, retain energy, and build strength for the summer. While everyday movement is still important, the activities you chose in the winter should change. Opt for less and more intense movement, like weightlifting or HIIT training, and try to avoid long, strenuous bouts of cardio.
Sleep
Long days of sunshine are ebbing, and we’re once again becoming more acquainted with the moon and her mysterious beauty. But don’t stay up too late romancing the light of the night; our bodies naturally slow down during the winter months to eliminate toxins, heal, and grow. Adopting a sleeping pattern to match the natural light patterns more closely gives your body the deep rest it needs to keep you healthy.
*Important Note* Winter does provide a greater risk of inflammatory disease. Read this post on naturally reducing inflammation if this is an issue for you.
As always, things are never one size fits all. The most significant change you can make is to get fully in tune with yourself. Learn to listen to your body, and your body will tell you exactly what it needs.
More Tips to Get in Tune with You
Not sure what it means to listen to yourself? Or maybe your body’s voice is just a little too meek? Here are some great tips to get you started.
- Introduce a practice of stillness. Slow down, remove unnecessary distractions and noise, and focus on your breath. Start intentionally noticing things, like how much your lungs fill, what thoughts are coming forward, and any uncomfortable spots in your body. You don’t need to do anything with it, just slow down and notice.
- Source your foods from a local farmer’s market as much as possible. Foods grown locally are usually more healthy, less processed, and have been treated with fewer chemicals. Also, you’ll more easily recognise which foods are correct for the season as they will be the freshest.
- Harness and nourish connections with both yourself and with others.
- Introduce more general movement. Not the repetitive, prescribed reps, and set time workouts, but more movement in everyday life. Put more effort and meaning into each activity throughout your day to introduce more general movement.
Are you still having a hard time finding your intuition?
Book a free 1-on-1 consultation with me to chat about your current health and your health goals. I can be that extra push and encouragement you need to find that voice!
