Winter 2020

Well, this has been a very different Christmas from last year! We had to adapt and transform our usual traditions into something that worked for everyone. For us it meant opening presents in the garden, catching up with loved ones on Zoom and having a quieter and less stressful festive season than usual. We are very grateful to have the space and opportunity to see loved ones and boy do we appreciate it more than ever.

So it’s Winter, the season to slow down, conserve our energy and build our resources in readiness for Spring! Covid has forced us into living quietly, not dashing around the shops and learning yet again to appreciate the small things.

The organs associated with winter are the Kidneys and Bladder and they are at their peak from 3pm -7pm. Our kidneys are like our batteries, they give their energy to all other organs in the body, this might explain why we often feel tired in the late afternoon, our batteries need recharging! An easy way to do this is to have a wee nap or stand up and give your kidneys a rub with soft fists, while breathing deeply. A few minutes later and you’ll be ready to go!

The element associated with winter is the Water element. This element represents stillness and reflection, looking inwards, working out what supports us and what drains us. Water is also forceful and can erode obstacles in its path, it also has the ability to go round obstacles and we should try to mirror this by going with the flow, finding a way round the obstacles in our lives. Another lesson we have had to learn while living with a pandemic.

It’s often hard to find the motivation or energy to maintain a regular daily practice in the cold winter months, but by moving our bodies gently by walking, Qi Gong, Yoga or just standing up and stretching we keep our Chariot in good working order, ready to carry us through life no matter what the terrain or conditions are like. I have a daily Qi gong routine that helps boost my energy and maintain strength and suppleness, you might want to try it too!

To finish with, here are some tips to help support your wellbeing this winter.

• Meditation, take 5 or 10 minutes each day to sit quietly, with a straight spine and follow your breath, you will feel the benefits if you can practise every day.
• Eat warming foods, stews, roast vegetables, curries, soups
• Try to go to bed early and get up later with the sunrise
• Magnesium spray and Epsom Salt Baths are great at this time of year
• Take time to reflect on the year, what were the highs and the lows, what would you like more of in 2021? This is an ideal time to journal, dream and plan.
• Plant the seeds of your dreams in your mind and let them sit underground until Spring. Don’t set yourself up for failure with New Year’s Resolutions, plant your seeds, prepare the ground and let them grow when they are ready
• Read inspirational books and watch uplifting films. Feed your soul.
• Buy this book, it will nourish your soul! or you can listen to the audio version…The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy https://www.charliemackesy.com https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000r630

So, I wish you a calm, restorative and thoughtful winter. Stay well and make your self care a priority, that way you will have the resources to share freely with others.