Wintering

February and being in the depths of winter can be challenging. In Canada it can often mean grey, cold and slushy days where there is not nearly enough sunshine. Something that has helped me deal with that over the years is re-framing how I think about winter. I want to introduce you to the concept of “wintering”. This idea encourages us to use this time of year to rest, nourish ourselves, and reflect; taking a cue from nature to help us follow the rhythm of the seasons.  

In Katherine May’s book “Wintering” she describes this perfectly;

“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. It’s a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order. Doing these deeply unfashionable things — slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting — is a radical act now, but it’s essential. ”

Here are 3 things you can do to incorporate this practice into your year.

1. Reflect & Reset. I start in January, and like to use this month as a form of gentle reorganization. After the busy holiday season, it can be nice to go through your stuff and deep clean your space. This also helps you to figure out what items you are ready to let go of and what items you might already have and want to bring back into circulation. I like to go through my products and pare down, leaning on the ones that serve as multipurpose treatments / tools. Our All Heal Salve is one of the products I always return to for all the seasons, useful for winter, spring, summer and fall.

2. Rest. My wind-down routine in winter is longer and more extensive, embracing every warm cozy evening as a time to practice real rest. I enjoy a hot bath every night and take time with my skincare routine, giving my dry skin a little extra love as a thank-you for getting me through another cold winter day. Our Sugar Scrub is the ultimate wind-down treatment, especially in a hot bath. The nourishing oils melt into the skin and water, hydrating my entire body...lets not forget the aroma- therapeutic value of the essential oils of bergamot and palmarosa which have the benefit of lifting the spirits.

3. Nourish. In the deep winter, going out for groceries can feel like a harrowing and exhausting journey. To minimize my trips, I make big batches of soups, sauces, and stews to freeze and eat throughout the month. Warm hearty meals support our natural desire to curl up and rest. I also enjoy a pot of tea after dinner, pouring myself little cups throughout the evening as I wind down. Our Tummy Ease Tea has been my favourite lately as it helps my digestive system, but also has herbs that support my nervous system especially if I am feeling down from the lack of sun.