The Winter Weather

By: Andrea Sipcic

Having the cold weather arriving for many of us usually means staying indoors and mostly avoiding going outside. Although understandable, it is important to recall some of the immense benefits of being out in nature:

- Helps us to recharge

- Allows us to breathe better and more fully

- Aids in expelling low energies we may have been holding onto

- A great way to ground ourselves

- Can increase our awareness, including with ourself

- Allows for more mental and emotional clarity

This is a reminder, despite the colder weather, to still make the effort to go outside and spend some time around nature, even if it’s just for a short time. Even 10 to 15 minutes here and there is enough to make a difference, especially when you feel it’s most needed for you. If you don’t already have, consider investing in some warm winter clothes and attire. If you have a dog, spend some quality time with them and go for a walk. If you’ve been considering getting one, a pet would also be a great motivator to go out and enjoy the fresh air!

If you’re somebody who especially loves the outdoors, a great addition in the colder months is to bring the outdoors to you. Here are a few ways to incorporate a “nature feel” in your own home:

- Keep plants and/or flowers in your home

- If you have wooden floors, try standing on them barefoot, or doing Yoga on them. Poses such as Tree and Mountain Pose are excellent options

- Diffuse essential oils that are earthy and grounding, such as Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and Myrrh