Seasonal Self-Care
Change. Fluctuation. Shedding. Growth. The changing seasons impact more than just the weather around you. The seasons are a time for inner reflection so that you can decide what is best for you and what you need in order to be the most successful version of you. The version that your mind, body and emotions need. And that is not to say that what is best for your mind, body and emotions is going to be the same thing. You can change each season to be able to reset and rebalance yourself as a whole. Just as the environment around you is evolving over time, so are you. As the leaves change, your needs are too. As the snow is falling and putting animals into hibernation mode, you should be relaxing. When the world around you is starting to warm up, are you cleaning up and preparing for the summer? And when the sun is out and the temperatures are high, are you getting the natural vitamin D, and soaking up the fresh air around you?
Nature has amazing abilities to impact us physically, mentally and emotionally. The relaxing sound of the slow trickle of the river, the heart racing pounding from the waves crashing against the rocks. The grounding feeling of the grass and dirt beneath your feet. The warm rays from the sun on your face that help things melt away. And even the cold weather that helps you calm and refocus. The positive ways that nature helps to impact our overall self-care and wellbeing are endless. Some are in your control and it is a matter of what you do with what you are handed while others are automatic.
Creating routines (and sticking to them) can help to create positive changes for your mental health and overall wellbeing. But in my experience, I get bored easily and what I can do in my part of the world in the summer months, I can not do in the winter months. So I need to adapt my practices regularly, for many reasons. I need help mentally preparing my brain and my body for the changing seasons. Spending time outside in the summer, with the hot sun on my skin, walking outside, floating in the water, or even just laying on the ground. That is my favorite kind of self care practices. But then the weather changes, the leaves start to change and fall off, the rain and storms come, the temperatures drop and all the cozy clothes start to come out. I love the spooky season, the big sweaters and cozy socks. But I know that this time of year is going to lead me into the winter months. The cold weather, the suffocating feeling of a coat, the drying of my skin and so much more. So I know that I need to start adjusting my daily practices to mentally and physically prepare myself for the coming winter season.
Renewal and revitalization. Growth and blooming. Thawing and warming. Spring brings cleansing energies and new beginnings. When the spring comes and the cold melts away, it is time for new practices. It is time to come out of your shell, out of the house and out of your inner hibernation. This is a time of growth, time to spend time in your yard or garden. Plant seeds and help nourish them and watch them grow. Be a part of the process in making something new. Find a new park or forest or mountain. Get some fresh air, move your body and cleans your spirit.
There are many spring mindfulness practices that you could participate in to help refresh your physical, mental and emotional self. First let's start with the basic and simplest tasks. Open the windows and doors. Let the stale air out and the clean fresh air circulate in. If you are feeling feisty you can even use some essential oils and other plants to help clear the air and bring you uplifting scents and sensations. Clean out the house, sweep away the dust, and declutter. Free yourself and your space of things that no longer serve a purpose for you. Don’t let items, thoughts or people take up space in your life if they can't bring you happiness.
Summer solstice is a time for renewal, love and expansion. A time to be more carefree and playful. Play games outside, have game nights, enjoy a fire outside with friends and family, take the dog on a long walk at the park, or simply enjoy a nice cold drink on your patio. Reconnect with those you lost touch with during your hibernation period. Spend time exploring the world around you. Go on a road trip, fly to the beach or the mountains. Go to a faraway land or right down the street, but get out, explore and move your body.
Summertime is also a time to easily lose control of your physical self. While you are soaking up the sun and hanging out with friends and family, it is also important to remember to care for your body. Be sure to make sure to hydrate!! I will say it again, louder for those who did not listen. HYDRATE!! HYDRATION!! Drinking water will help your organs run smoother, your skin feel better and so much more! Also, listen to your body, if it needs rest, then take a break, if it needs to be hydrated, drink some water, if you need energy, then fuel your body with foods and nutrients.
The autumn equinox is a time for releasing negative energy. Light some candles, light a fire and reflect on what you have done over the year, your personal growth and what you need to change and let go of. Goals are great to have a set, they are great to help guide you and put you on the path you want to take. But it is also important to reflect on your progress, let go of the things that are holding you back and reevaluate how to break down the barriers that are in your way.
This time of year is often known as the Spooky Season or the Cozy Season. It is the time of year that we break out the sweatpants and leggings, sweatshirts and cardigans! In my house, the family movie nights start to ramp up, comfy clothes, lots of snacks and soft blankets!
I can't cook. If I try, it is always something super basic, and I usually end up messing it up, cutting myself or burning myself. It rarely ends up being a successful meal with no injuries. But in the fall, I enjoy trying new soup recipes and this fall I might (strong emphasis on might) try to make new bread recipes. I am trying to incorporate more herbs and natural ingredients into my diet and I feel that soups in the fall is the best place to start. So wish me luck!
Cold. Snow. Ice. Cold. Snow. Ice. Rumors have it that some people enjoy winter. They like having to bundle up before leaving the house. Having to wear 80,000 layers of clothes to be warm. Having to add additional drive time to accommodate the slick driving conditions. And also, I know that not everywhere experiences such winters. But I do, and with that being said, I still have to adjust my self-care to work with the environment around me. To do so, I try my best to hibernate. I do not want to leave the house from about late Nov to late March. I slow down, I don’t socialize as much, and I do a lot more resting (and laziness if we are being honest).
Over the past few years I have learned to become a reader. I have got to a point where I am reading 40+ books a year! (Who the fuck am I?!) I am trying to learn more that I did not know about, currently my focus is finance, because there is always room for growth! I try to learn new hobbies like crochet (it hasn’t fully stuck, but I try - sometimes), and do more experiments with my essential oils. One area that I would like to focus more on this year would be meditation. There are so many options, I just need to find one and stick to it.
Creating a seasonal self-care plan can be as detailed as setting it up for the entire year and following a schedule, if that is what helps to keep your mind at ease. Or it can be more of a flow and what feels natural to you at that time. It is just important that you have different tools ready to use for the changing seasons and the changing emotions. Take time for yourself and determine what it is that you want to achieve with your routines and what your goals are. Are you working to ease physical pain, emotional pain, maintain a positive mental health status, rest your whole wellbeing? This is about you and for you, so you can be the only one to determine what is the best goal for you.
Holistic, well rounded flowing self-care needs to be able to eb and flow and adjust to the environment around you. It is important to adjust your practices to the seasons you are in, both physically and emotionally. There is no one size fits all self-care for any one person that lasts all year long. It is important to give yourself grace and options. Take the time to reflect on what you are doing and make any necessary adjustments to better accomplish your goals.
Take a few minutes, determine what season you are in, and what you need to adjust to have the most successful self-care practice for YOU!
