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Winter Yin is a Natural Thing by Kylie Patchett

There is a simple and elegant flow to this magnificent Universe of ours.  The cycles of nature ensure that day follows night, that times of warmth come before times of cool, that each year this planet journeys around our Sun, and each day our Moon journeys around us. 

Human Beings used to follow this natural cycle by default.  Going to bed with the moon, and rising with the sun.  Whether our food supply came from growing and harvesting foods, or hunting and gathering, our food was also organically matched to the region we were living in and the season we were living through.  Unfortunately we are becoming increasingly disconnected from this natural cycle and we are wasting the power & peace of matching our physical and spiritual selves to the innate rhythms around us.

Modern day “conveniences” like heating and cooling, non-natural lighting, living in a 24/7 society and being able to access pretty much anything at any time we desire it, all ensure we are completely out of touch with the cycles going on around us.  As with everything in nature, we need to balance the yang, more active and warm months of summer and spring.  These times are for socialising, energetic pursuits, and getting “out and about”.  Conversely, the cooler month of autumn and winter, are for the more yin activities of restoration, rejuvenation and turning in.

So this winter, take time out for yourself to allow space for slowing and turning inwards, storing up the energy to be expanded when the warmer cycles returns again:

1. Take notice of the longer days.  Winter is designed to be a resting period.  Make it a practice to allow a little more time for sleeping – 8 to 9 hours is ideal.  Take note of the night time activities that cut into your sleeping time.  Do you really need the extra hour of V or Facebook?  Other tips for sleep hygiene are keeping your bedroom dark (no artificial lights, turn mobiles to “flight mode” to minimise sleep interference from emails beeping and limit potential radiation), keeping a comfortable temperature and ensure your bedroom is a peaceful place for sleeping and bonding with your partner.  It should not be an office/texting/TV zone.  Protect your restoration time – this is a really simple but effective way of honouring your need for total time out.
2. When thinking exercise, as always, focus on the joy of movement.  This season calls for adding more restorative movement to your cooler month routine – like walking rather than running, and gentle cycling rather than full out road racing.   Yoga, thai chi and qi gong are all wonderful ways of both moving your body and keeping your energy channels open and flowing during this time when energy stagnation and blocakages can be more prevalent.  This is not a time for pushing yourself to your limits – the warmth and energy of summer is the time to rock out your personal bests!  Listen to your body – winter often brings a normal lull in energy – this is not to say don’t exercise at all, but do listen and be gentle with yourself.
3. Foods to nourish.  Eat locally grown, seasonal produce wherever possible.  Doing your fruit and vege shopping at a Farmers market or growing your own is a fantastic way to make sure you are not only supporting the local economy, but also minimising your food miles and eating foods to suit the season.  Grounding is important in the cooler months, increase your intake of below ground root vegetables including sweet potato, and pumpkin.   Increase warming foods such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.  Chai tea with extra ginger and cinnamon is the perfect warming drink for wintertime.  Make sure you do not eat too much cool food or sweet food during this time – both of these will slow down your digestion and stop your stomach “agni” or fire from working well at this time of the year.  Pay particular attention to swapping salads and tropical fruits for winter vegetables and winter fruits like berries and apples.  Do not drink cold beverages – swap them instead for room temperature or warm drinks. 
4. Above all else, trust that your body and soul will tell you exactly what it needs whatever the season – the trick is to really listen to that inner wisdom and allow ourselves to rest when the season calls for it.  In this way we can start the new cycle beginning in spring with the energy and vitality that is the natural product of this resting cycle of winter.

Kylie Patchett is the founder of The Tall Poppy Project which she created after her own healing journey from corporate clone to leading a delicious life by design. She is an ex-forensic and medical scientist turned sassy health strategist and holistic health coach whose mission is to inspire women globally to stand tall and stake a claim on their own delicious lives. She delivers life-transforming workshops and coaching programs designed to bring awareness to true integrated holistic health and the impact that learning radical self-respect can have on your time on this gorgeous planet.  You can connect with Kylie at www.tallpoppyproject.com