Many of us share this negative attitude towards winter. Many, like myself, may have encountered adversity over past winters. Winter can be a time of death, isolation, depression, family conflict, and more besides. However, we must realise that these experiences happened in the past, and that doesn’t necessarily predict further misfortune. To believe otherwise, only guarantees more suffering. In this regard, we must hold true to the Grow Wisdom: “feelings are not facts.”
We need to take a look at our relationship with winter, and how we might improve it. How can we change our thinking and our approach to bring us enjoyment and wellbeing, instead of misery?
1. The Danish people have the right idea when it comes to “Wintering” well. They practice “hygge,” which is that unique winter ambiance, seen in holiday movies. In this culture, there is an emphasis around staying social. Gathering together to share a meal in a relaxed setting, more often than not. Grow tells us about the importance of social connectiveness: “…involvement in community, is the process of recovery and growth.”
Maintaining our social ties, and even celebrating them is an important practice during winter. It helps to break up the monotony of the long nights and ward off feelings of isolation and neurosis.
2. Another aspect of hygge, is the importance of creating the right home environment. One that promotes relaxation and comfort. Your ideal winter den should be a blend of nature and “cosiness”. Being surrounded by natural materials and warm earthy tones can ground us, helping us reconnect with nature and ourselves. Fortunately, creating these cosy, natural interiors has never been easier, thanks to retailers like JSYK and Ikea. Once created, complete that “hygge” feeling, by lounging in warm woollens beside the fire or reading your favourite “comfort-read,” or while enjoying hearty food and warm drinks.
3. Aside from the concept of hygge, there are many other ways to embrace the winter season. Taking on a new project or course, or even completing a previous one, is great for the mind. Better still, if this involves your hands, and/or your creativity. Both can ground us by the repetitive actions they employ and/or the use of natural materials. During Winter, many of us feel the drag of the long nights. It is good to keep the mind engaged and cabin fever away. As seen in the Grow wisdom: “Meaning generates energy, lack of meaning generates depression.”
4. Occasionally, I like to walk in the rain, or experience some of the more dramatic, archetypal wintery weather. For me, it is a way of celebrating the unique spirit of winter and my connection to it. We are still animals at our core; still part of the source that created us and that continues to shape us. Believe me, if you were to step out into a storm, downpour, blizzard, or even stand on the roadside and watch the wild waves, you would feel it too. Exhilaration, awe and child-like wonder in the face of pure elemental power. Afterwards, change and dry off, take a shower or bath, have some hot chocolate. Such comforts will never feel as good, and will help tap into gratitude as well.
5. We know that the lack of light during winter can negatively affect our mental wellbeing. “Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD” occurs from a deficiency of Vitamin D. Fortunately, there are measures we can take to reduce its effect. Taking Vitamin D supplements, eating foods rich in Vitamin D and investing in daylight lamps can all support us in getting enough. However, taking exercise outside is still king. Not only does this help with the absorption of Vitamin D, but the combined exercise keeps the body and mind healthy. All four of the “happy hormones” can be activated whilst exercising, helping diminish the effect of SAD. However, wintertime is generally not conducive to motivation. There is the temptation to use the bad weather as an excuse for not getting out. Apart from the occasional storm or snow-in, Ireland rarely sees weather extreme enough to keep us housebound. Take Grow’s advice and “Compel your limbs and muscles to move despite your feelings.”
6. Reading is a favourite winter activity of mine. There is nothing like a good book, to lose yourself in, for a few hours. Books have so many uses: entertainment, education, reflection, immersion, diversion, etc. One of the best things about books is their diversity, and the sheer amount of them. You can find nearly every topic under the sun, whatever your interests or choice of format. Of course, there are various screen-based options that entertain in a similar way. Books, at least have the added benefits of engaging our senses and being screen-free.
7. Winter is a fantastic time for completing those half-finished tasks, and ones that have been put on the long-finger for far too long. Grow believes one must “do the ordinary thing you fear; do the ordinary thing that repels you.” During stormy weather when cabin fever is ramping up, take this as an opportunity to dust off those flat-pack instructions, or similar. This task may not be life-changing or particularly enthralling, but there is something to be said about the satisfaction that comes from ticking an old job off the list.
8. Last year, I began reading about the Irish people’s connection to winter, and the Winter Solstice. I have been captivated ever since. Learning about its significance in old Pagan Ireland has been very eye-opening. In fact, we Irish, shared a bond with all of the land, seasons and forces of nature. Each season was valued for its unique characteristics and wisdom, and was celebrated through various rituals. Winter was seen a time of change, of death moving into rebirth and darkness moving into light. The Winter Solstice was the catalyst, just like Midsummer is on the other extreme. These are valuable lessons in acceptance and change, that taught me the value of “Letting go of our need to control…”—Grow Program.
9. Wintertime can feel very monotonous after a while—like ground-hog day, in fact. We often spend long periods of time indoors, and stick to a rigid, unchanging routine. Going from home to work, to home again, is not uncommon, on repeat. Taking a mini-break abroad or at home, can be a fantastic way to reset and restore a stagnating mind. Scheduling day-trips or drives can be equally effective. All of these can help break up this monotony and insert a little bit of adventure and spontaneity in our lives. I sometimes drive out to the sea, buying from a local fish and chips takeaway, en route. During unsettled conditions, I eat in the car and watch the waves. It’s all about the simple pleasures. In this way, I “aim for balanced living.” Balancing routine with spontaneity, work with play.
10. I believe that we must have non-negotiables during Wintertime. By this, I mean having a contract with ourselves. This is to protect and support our mental and physical wellbeing, during a time of many challenges. During winter, we are contending with lack of light, limited access to nature, Christmas burn-out, and increased risks of isolation, a sedentary lifestyle, depression, and more. I have made a list of tasks that I must complete every day, week, month or season. I encourage you to make your own list. The tasks could be anything, from exercising outside daily, to getting to bed by 11pm every night, and perhaps, completing one creative project monthly. I try to uphold the commitment I’ve made to myself, for my own benefit. “When the time to keep a resolution has come don’t examine any more pros and cons. Just do it”—Grow Program.
In the end, it comes down to this: Seasons are change and change is inevitable. This is the wisdom that winter imparts. Change is at the heart of Grow too, believed to be a powerful ally for our positive growth. “To live is to change and to live fully is to have changed often.” So, we need not fear change; for it surrounds us and is us. We must accept it, because only then, can we secure our path to inner peace.
