‎Winter

Winter is on its way, how do you feel about that?

Many of my clients struggle with the darkness and the cold, often feeling low, tired and unmotivated. Why does this happen for some of us, year after year?

There seems to be a few reasons.

• Hormonal Shifts: Shorter daylight hours in winter lead to increased production of melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel sleepy, and decreased production of serotonin, a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter. This causes us to naturally feel more tired and less motivated.

• Evolutionary Instincts: From an evolutionary perspective, it made sense for our ancestors to conserve energy during colder months when food was scarce. This instinct to slow down is still present in our biology, even in modern society.

What may be the psychological benefits of embracing Winter?

• Mental Recharge and Reflection: Winter offers a natural opportunity to withdraw from the constant demands of a fast-paced society. This period of quiet can be used for intentional rest, reflection, and strategic planning for the year ahead, which can foster personal growth and boost resilience.

• Reduced Stress and Emotional Fatigue: Giving ourselves permission to slow down can alleviate stress, reduce emotional fatigue, and lower cortisol levels.

• Combating the "Winter Blues": Embracing a slower pace and prioritizing self-care activities can help manage the symptoms of the "winter blues" or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

• Improved Focus and Brain Activity (with effort): Paradoxically, while the body wants to slow down, some evidence suggests that colder air can boost brain activity and improve focus, making winter a good time for quiet, thoughtful pursuits like reading or studying.

Might this be your year to embrace the winter season?

So let’s begin by acknowledging your energy levels. You may feel slower or more introspective recently, that’s not laziness — it’s natural in winter. Let yourself rest without guilt.

Accept “inner winter” periods. Sometimes, wintering isn’t just about the weather — it’s a season of emotional stillness, grief, or change. Let yourself experience it without rushing to “fix” it.

How?

1. Create a Warm, Nurturing Environment

Light and warmth: Candles, soft lamps, blankets, and warm drinks can help your nervous system feel safe and soothed.

Scent and sound: Try calming music, nature sounds, or essential oils like cedarwood or lavender.

Rituals of comfort: A nightly tea ritual, journaling before bed, or reading something gentle can create a peaceful structure.

2. Slow Down Intentionally

Embrace quiet hobbies. Knitting, baking, drawing, puzzles, reading — slow creative acts mirror the season’s stillness.

Simplify your schedule. Prioritize fewer but more meaningful commitments.

Practice mindful slowness. Take walks in cold air. Watch your breath in the frost. Feel yourself part of nature’s rhythm.

3. Reflect and Replenish

Journaling prompts for wintering:

• What am I ready to release before spring comes?

• Where am I craving stillness?

• What does rest look like for me right now?

Self-compassion:

• Remember that rest is not earned — it’s essential.

Reconnect spiritually or creatively.

• Use the quiet to realign with what truly matters.

4. Align with Nature’s Cycles

Observe the natural world.

Notice how trees stand bare but alive — conserving energy for new growth.

Eat seasonally.

Warm soups, stews, roasted vegetables, herbal teas, winter puddings. Nourishing, grounding foods.

Go outside often.

Even brief walks in winter light help with mood and circadian rhythm.

5. Remember: Wintering is Temporary

Every winter has its spring.

The pause makes renewal possible. By allowing stillness now, you prepare fertile ground for growth later.

I love this quote:

“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 that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.”

Katherine May, “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times”.

As this winter takes hold, I invite you to accept the beauty of comfort and stillness. Allow yourself some essential rest. And prepare your body and soul for the coming spring and new growth.

Take care

Sheryl x