As we move into the last chapter of the year it can make us feel a little unsettled. There’s no going back now, the clocks have changed and the dark evenings are upon us. Often, most of us will have some slight trepidation about what winter challenges may lay ahead. We may become more sensitive at this time of the year, a little depressed even. We may feel it more physically with joints already achy after a wet autumn. If you are starting to feel this too, you are not alone. This is just the right time to put our mindfulness skills to good use and start taking more care of ourselves. Trying to stay in the present moment and not focusing too much on what’s to come is important, as well as taking more time to REST… To make this possible we are probably going to need to let go of a few things just as nature is letting go outside, everything is shedding and scaling back.

Taking time to observe the changes in the natural world at this time and following natures lead can bring empowering benefits to our own lives and wellbeing. Our energy levels are affected by the lack of light and harsher elements, lives are generally harder, everything seems to take more effort. All we really want to do as the days get shorter and colder is withdraw and curl up somewhere cosy. Thats a natural instinct in us that we should pay attention to and nurture. When we keep pushing on expecting to have the same energy levels and not adapting to the season, we can get sick, run down and depressed.

This transitional time between Samhain and the Winter Solstice is the darkest time of the year. The time to let go and rest, rest, rest! Conserve energy for interests and pursuits that nourish us and enrich our lives, not deplete us. Reflect on what we could let go of, unnecessary routines, arrangements that have just become habits that no longer inspire us, toxic relationships and things that drain us.

We can use Mindfulness to pay attention to ourselves as we go through our day and being super kind and gentle with our self talk. Noticing the weather on the inside of us, our feelings and emotions as well as physical signals like pain and discomfort. Notice the body when it’s calling out, tense areas that are locked up and bracing against life. Make time to give these areas kind attention and including TLC for feelings and emotions.

These are a few things on my list for self care over the winter. I actually look forward to making the time for some of these things now, slowing down and going with the flow of the season.

• Candle lit bath (treat yourself to new bubbles and scented candles)
• Go for a hot stone massage, aromatherapy or other holistic treatment you enjoy.
• Buy a new indoor plant to nurture over the winter and to help keep the air clean.
• Look up some new recipe’s for nourishing soups or stews.
• Put aside an afternoon for baking bread, cakes or biscuits.
• Buy a new book or borrow one, an exciting novel to get absorbed in.
• Resume a craft or hobby you enjoyed in the past or start a new one.
• Arrange lunch out with a friend you’ve not seen for a while.
• Wrap up or welly up, depending on the elements, and go for a woodland walk with a friend or loved one. Have a period of silence and see what you both notice. Choose a treat for afterwards, coffee and cake would be my go to!
• Make a list of feel good movies to last the winter and work through them one a week.
• Create a cosy space in your house for meditation, use blankets, cushions, incense, candles and have some nice nature photo’s or pictures around, or choose a spot by the window where you can see a little bit of green, or the sky. If you don’t already meditate and you want to learn how and the benefits to health ask me about my Beginners 5 week Meditation Course starting at the end of January.