Hello friends,

Welcome to December!
Wishing you warm thoughts and hoping that you’re taking the very best care of yourselves to bolster you against the biting cold and sleeting rain!

We’ve had some excellent pieces about winter coping strategies this month, including; yoga for immunity, delicious warming recipes, and tips for staying sane in during the festive season. Be sure to check those if you missed them.

I used to despise winter, I took the rain in my face, my icy hands and feet, and the general drabness of the city as a personal insult - dragging my tired body around London with my shoulders hunched against the cold and a permanent scowl on my face, only placated when I was inside with loads of layers on and a hot cup of tea.

As I move further towards embracing and enjoying a more cyclical way of living however, winter is becoming less of an enemy. I still struggle. I still moan about the rain. I still find myself scowling in protest at the biting cold. But I am also more and more in touch with the deep wise guidance that this season has to offer us, if we would only stop to listen for a while.

In the natural world around us we see the continued drawing inwards of energy towards the centre; the plants are dormant, resting, biding their time, and there’s a still and quiet quality to be observed in green spaces as many creatures curl up and bed down for their long winter sleep.

During these short days and early dusks, many of us humans also feel the primal tug to retreat into our warm places and sanctuaries in order to restore and replenish and seek shelter from the often unforgiving elements outside. As always, nature is showing us the pathway to balancing our energies. Encouraging us to slow down and and conserve our outgoings.

In stark comparison, the modern consumerist society in which we live now, craftily lures us us out of these sanctuaries - pushing back against the natural way of things - with Late Night Shopping, Black Fridays, and a million different Christmas flavoured coffee options to make up for the energy that we probably don’t have. Add Christmas parties, school plays, and preparing for the festive celebrations into the mix, and it’s no surprise that so many people end up exhausted and ill at this time of year.

At a time where we really need more rest and quiet time, we have to continue with our usual commitments, plus the added pressure of gift buying, food preparation, and social events. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the temperature alone is depleting to the body and your energy levels.

This is not to say you shouldn’t partake in the things above, or wholeheartedly enjoy the social effervescence of this time of year, they are not ‘wrong in any way. It’s just a reminder that there might be a reason that you find yourself feeling depleted, and an encouragement to pause and reflect on what it is you really need at this time of year. Is it a frantic slog down oxford street with about a million billion other frantic people panic buying stuff they don’t need? Or is it in fact a cozy dinner with friends. Or a good book and a hot bath.

Only you know the answers, but remember…it’s all about Balance.

My Favourite Ways to Replenish

Restorative or Yin Yoga
Endless cups of good quality herbal tea (don’t forget to enter our giveaway to win a reusable cup HERE)
Early Nights
Hot Baths
Cozy evenings with friends
Warm Nourishing Food

For a handpicked selection of the bet winter coping strategies from Balance Garden, join our love club and get them directly to your inbox.