Why Winter Calls us to Live Differently
The holiday season is in full swing and many of us are working overtime, rushing from store to store, and sitting through unexpectedly long Christmas recitals and school plays during the hours we would normally set aside for rest. It’s dark outside, the temperatures have dropped to almost unbearable lows, and the world feels hushed in a way that is decidedly different from summer. It beckons us to slow down, cozy up by the fire, and reflect inwardly. But alas, the endless to-do list is not getting any shorter (though the days are), and things must get done.
Seasonal living should not be a privilege. It’s a necessary return to the way we were created to live. Living seasonally means honoring God’s design for living in rhythm with creation.
Winter is a season of slowness, restoration, and reflection. It’s a time to rest and prepare for the year ahead. Choosing to live in sync with those rhythms supports physical and emotional well-being.
Seasonal Living in Winter
Seasonal living means aligning our habits, food, routines, and mindset with natures cycles. While summer is abuzz with a bright, vibrant energy, winter is the opposite. Spring is a time of abundance; winter invokes stillness and inward focus. It’s time to give ourselves rest – to deeply nourish our bodies, reset our immune systems, and clear our minds. The stillness of winter gives us an opportunity to be still and indulge ourselves in quiet reflection – opportunities that are harder to come by when the days are long and filled with energy.
God designed seasons for a reason, and in the beginning, we had no choice but the obey their requests. Modern convenience has made it possible to live outside of that frame, but it comes at a cost. The bright lights disrupt our hormones and our circadian rhythms. The busy nights steal our chance to recharge properly when our bodies crave rest. It’s ok to slow down in winter; in fact, it’s great to slow down in winter. This is not unproductive; it’s purposeful.
Slowing Down and Creating Restful Rhythms
Release the pressure to keep up with summer level productivity. Your metabolism and circadian rhythms change with the seasons, and it’s time to honor that. Here are some ways you can begin to slow down in winter:
- Earlier bedtimes
- Fewer commitments
- More downtime in the evenings
If it helps, create daily habits that encourage you to slow down, like:
- Morning quite time with a warm cup of tea
- Evening wind-down routines
- Journaling
It might feel like you need to keep up with everything and everyone, but they aren’t going to put your health first. You are your own priority, and you were only given one temple to carry out this lifetime in. Steward it wisely; align yourself with the rhythms of creation.
Nourishing the Body in Winter
Our metabolic needs change during the colder months. There’s a reason we crave warm, comforting foods – those foods are seasonal. Think root vegetable stews and cinnamon spiced apple muffins. Winter foods are grounding and warming – exactly what the slower metabolism of our winter bodies are craving. We might reach for foods that are higher in fat and protein – that’s ok. Give into those cravings.
Eating like we did in summer can impair digestion and send our circadian rhythm the wrong signals. But we can support digestion and immunity by eating seasonally-appropriate foods like:
- Root vegetables
- Cooked greens
- Stews and broth
- Healthy fats like tallow, olive oil, and butter
- Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg
Eating locally grown foods is even more helpful. The nutrients in locally grown foods are curated to support your body’s needs, and they’re often grown with more care than those found in a supermarket. Don’t forget to keep moving – movement is still important in winter. You don’t have to be running marathons; simple, gentle movement like dancing are walking are sufficient.
Winter Skincare
Winter air brings a freshness with it that’s absent from the summer humidity. But it also brings dryness, which can lead to dehydrated, sensitive skin. This is a time to skip the harsh cleansers and deeply nourish the skin with rich moisturizers. Here are some ways to refresh your skincare routine in winter:
- Thick, rich, moisturizers. Here is my favorite.
- Facial oils. My current favorite is this one from Earth Harbor.
- Gentle, non-stripping facial cleansers like this one or an oil cleanser. Bambu Earth changed their lineup recently, but this one looks like a good option.
You don’t need a ton of products to protect your skin from the elements. Just find one or two that work with your skin and forget the rest. There’s no need for trends or fancy routines. Simple skin care routines can be super effective if done right. Remember to avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh preservatives. A good skin care regiment should be part of you winter self-care routine. It’s not vanity; it’s honoring the body God gave you.
Emotional Health During Winter
The shorter, darker days and colder weather can bring some struggles with it. Seasonal affective disorder is pretty common among American adults. We get less sun and less vitamin D in winter, and many of us didn’t get enough of it during the summer to carry us through the winter months. We can feel sluggish, sad, and overstimulated from all the bright lights and screen time. So what can we do about it?
- Natural light exposure: get some sun if you can.
- Limit screen time, especially at night.
- Swap to amber bulbs for night-time use.
- Journal those difficult emotions.
Let’s normalize winter as a time of emotional processing and reflection. Slow down and turn your thoughts inward and upward. Take the time you need to feel your best.
Conclusion: Embracing Winter with Intention and Grace
Honor winter’s invitation to slow down and nourish deeply. Forget the busyness of summer and embrace seasonal living. The days are darker – this is meant to make us rest. Look at it like a long sabbath, one meant to prepare us for spring’s abundance. You don’t have to do it perfectly. A few small, meaningful changes can make a huge difference this winter. Do what you can, and trust God with the rest.
