3 minute read
Winter rituals
WINTER
WELLBEING
Donna Booth urges us to take comfort in the colder weather…
HOW do you feel about winter? Do you shut yourself away and pray for sunshine and lighter nights or do you wrap up warm and embrace the chill? If you lean towards the second option, you have a head start on winter wellbeing.
At this time of year, it can feel as though we get up in the dark, go home in the dark and very rarely see even the slightest glimpse of daylight in between. This can be a disaster for your mood and your Vitamin D levels will be very quickly depleted. Taking even a few minutes a day outside with as much skin as possible bared to the elements will help you soak in every drop of natural Vitamin D. The exposure to natural light will keep your circadian rhythm ticking over, helping to avoid that draining tiredness that can be a feature of the colder months.
Billy Connolly once said, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.’ In my home county of Caithness, we are lucky to get four hours of daylight in a winter’s day. A warm coat, hat and gloves are you’re ready for anything the elements can throw at you. A hat with a built-in light and nothing will hold you back! No matter how stressed you are, a walk in nature will always help, in any season.
We think of winter as being a grey time of the year, but once you venture out, with the intention of being mindful of colour, you will find colour everywhere. A leafless tree with red branches, the jewels of berries scattered through bushes, the different shades of silver reflected in puddles. If you are lucky enough to catch a frosty morning, there is nothing more beautiful. Every single thing seems touched with magic… sparkling and fresh. Make an intention to be mindful of patterns during your frosty walk - the magic will really come alive, and so will you.
It is not just walking that can be enjoyed during the winter months. Wild swimming goes on through all the seasons. Making sure you’re well prepared – not swimming alone and paying close attention to the sea state and the time you spend in the water is an absolute must. Come out of the water as soon as you feel a slight ache in your thumb. Have plenty of warm clothes to change into and a warm drink. Don’t rush to jump into a hot shower. Give your body time to acclimatise. A hot shower will drive the cold surface blood into your core, making it much more difficult to warm up. If you can find a group of swimmers local to you, even better. The cold water is wonderful for inflammation, immunity, pain, depression, anxiety and even the menopause. The sensation will force you to be present with the experience – in nature, in the cold, with other ‘brave’ people, enjoying the most magical season of the year.
Whether it is mindful walking, wild swimming or the more traditional snowy sports like skiing, skating and snowboarding, embracing nature is one of the best ways to boost your winter wellbeing. n
iDONNA BOOTH is an awardwinning wellbeing coach, yoga & mindfulness teacher and retreat host. Based in Caithness, she loves wild gardens, stormy seas and infinite skies. Vitality’s Inner Sanctum offers monthly themed retreats with yoga, yoga nidra, nature walks, creative workshops and meditation as well as visiting experts and monthly moon circles. Find out more at www.vitality-retreat.com or www.vitality-inner-sanctum.com
