'Wintering' has become one of my favourite practices throughout the year since long before I read Katherine May's book Wintering. I started my own practice of 'wintering' three or four years earlier, but somehow, seeing it explored in print by someone else validated it as a wellness process for me, and ever since then I've doubled down on seasonal living especially at this time of year.

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, the act of 'wintering' essentially means that during winter time (both outer, and inner*, winters!) we allow ourselves and our lifestyles to reflect the way that nature behaves during this period. As mammals, when the nights become longer, the days become colder, and everything in the wild becomes very still, we too tend to have this craving. In recent millenia, we've been taught that this craving suggests that something is 'wrong' with us or that we are lazy… The diagnosis 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' (aka. SAD) is evidence of this. And yet, when we really look at it logically, we can see that it makes total sense that during this time of year we are wanting to hibernate, rest, and reflect in warm, safe spaces, eating nourishing foods, and surrounded by our loved ones.

Of course, this isn't always easy in a society which expects us to 'show up' in the same way every week of the year: for most of us work, school, societal pressures, bills, responsibilities and so on, don't shift simply because Winter Solstice has rocked around. But thankfully, there are plenty of holistic wellness practices available to us, which serve the whispers of our seasonal souls perfectly…

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Here are my top five:

1. Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra - Yoga is not just a physical practice for me, but a way of life. In fact, that's the reason this website is called 'GabriellaYogaLife', and 'Live Your Yoga' was the first coaching program I ever launched eight years ago! That said, not all forms of yoga suit every season. My favourite types of yoga practice for these colder months are Restorative Yoga (which involves a variety of postures supported by props, with the primary intention being 'to restore' the mind, body and soul), Yin Yoga (which primarily focuses on deep stretches taken for prolonged periods of time, with the focus being to unlock stored tensions and traumas from the connective tissues of the body) and Yoga Nidra (which is a form of deep, restful relaxation, sometimes involving mindfulness, gentle breathwork or visualisation). While these can be very potent practices which provide much space for profound reflection and deep healing, they work very slowly and intentionally. It isn't unusual to leave a session feeling as though a weight has been lifted from the shoulders, or to cry an emotional release during the practice, or to sleep better than you ever have before for the next few nights.

2. Sound, Chakra and Reiki Healing – Energetic healing is something which a lot of people have a lot of opinions about. Regardless, my take is, 'If the placebo works, why wouldn't I take it?' so even if you are not sure if you 'believe' in this sort of work, as long as you have a curious mind and an open heart, it is a wonderful thing to explore during the winter-time. Sound healing might include chanting, drumming, or any number of sacred instruments (eg. tuning forks, singing bowls, gongs etc) and can feel quite uncomfortable at first while the mind gets used to the vibration… However, staying the course usually pays off, and you may even fall asleep during a session. Chakra work might involve guided visualisation, crystals or affirmations and works along the theory that we have seven main energy centres within the body: when they are cleared, balanced, and activated, we are able to live our best lives… I love this for bringing a little focus around my goals and intentions life-style wise, so chakra work for me often has the added bonus of feeling like a life coaching session! And reiki healing is probably the most popular of the three. Usually conducted in a 1-2-1 setting (although distance-reiki is also 'a thing'… a somewhat less effective and more suspicious a thing for me, but still, a thing nonetheless…) reiki involves slipping into a deep relaxation and having a practitioner tune into your energy so much so that they are able to remove strain on an energetic level. All three can be very soothing and nurturing practices to engage with during the winter.

3. Massage – I LOVE me some bodywork, particularly when it is cold outside! Honestly, nothing makes me happier than an Indian head massage with essential oils and 'plinky-plonky' music tinkling away in the background. As mammals, we crave togetherness, connection, and physical touch, and yet it is so rare for us to receive it from one another. Perhaps we kiss our kids each day, hug our parents, siblings and friends, or have a romantic partner to cuddle up to in bed each night, but I still don't believe that is anywhere near enough when it is scientifically proven that oxytocin and dopamine (the hormones which help us to feel the most calm and relaxed) are released primarily through skin-to-skin contact. Imagine how fewer people would experience seasonal depression during winter if we simply upped our cuddle, hand-holding and hair-stroking game! Regardless of whether you go to a therapist for reflexology, drag your bestie along for a shiatsu masterclass, or do your own guasha massage with your skincare regime at night-time, massage is a must during mid-winter.

4. Seasonal Eating – There is nothing more soothing than standing over a simmering pot of chana dal, hot cacao or (for those who are local to me in Stoke-on-Trent) lobby. These sorts of recipes use comforting ingredients like warming spices, creamy milk, and grounding root veggies to support our systems during a time where things can otherwise become quite stagnant. The process of preparing them can be just as nourishing as consuming them, and the act of stirring as we go infuses the recipe with mindfulness and intention. While it's important to stimulate the digestive system all year round, in winter our bodies need hot foods which help us to feel full with that little bit of weight to them, to keep us connected to the earth. Soups, stews, casseroles, 'moon milks' and so on are the order of the day, so eat for the season and indulge in some good, old-fashioned home-cooking.

5. Joining A Women's Circle – Sitting in sacred space with other women can be a beautifully nurturing experience, and thankfully, there are more and more Red Tent and retreat-style events popping up every day. Whether you feel the pull towards joining a spiritual group (perhaps involving tarot, the lunar cycles, or meditation) or something more secular which applies to your interests or life stage (like a breast-feeding hub for new moms, a book club, or a business networking gathering) there will likely be something for you in your local community. For those who are local to me, I'm in the process of launching The Conscious Quarterly, which is set to be a four-session, seasonal gathering of women looking for support in manifesting their heart's desires, so be sure to Let Me Know if you'd like some details about this by sending me a DM on instagram or an email to gabriellayogalife@gmail.com … Otherwise, if you want to stay hunkered down at home there are even online women's circles which could feed your soul. Either way you slice it, connection, story-telling and truth-seeking with like-minded-yet-different women in your community is likely to hold some nuggets of wisdom which would be very difficult to access without that sense of togetherness.

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A big honourable mention needs to go to my journaling practice… But to be honest, I lean heavily into my journaling practice all year round, and I could write multiple blog posts on that topic alone, so I thought best to save it for another time.

I'm curious to know which of the above practices you've already tried? And remember, spring equinox isn't until March 20th this year, so there is plenty of time for you to hone in on your personal favourite holistic wellness practices for this time of year. Which ones you feel the most curiosity to experiment with this winter? Tell me in the comments below.

Until next time, with grace and grit,

Gabriella

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