The January Blues: How to Rejuvenate Yourself in the Middle of Winter

It happens to so many of us – the holiday season passes, and we find ourselves in January feeling tired, moody, overwhelmed, and maybe even antisocial.

Here are some common experiences of the winter months:nn- You feel unusually tired or irritable
- The holiday season has left you feeling bloatedn- The holiday season has left you with more work on your desk than usualn- You notice an internal sadness that is trying to get your attentionn- Your body and muscles ache

Especially as women, we are sensitive to seasonal changes. Winter can sometimes hit hard. The good news is that you can empower yourself to navigate around the “January Blues” and turn your winter into a season that is soulful, nourishing, and healing:nn- Get More Sleep: The days are much shorter this time of year, leaving the nights to be much longer. This is not just an inconvenient part of nature that we should fight against by staying up and out late into the dark night. Just like animals that hibe
ate this time of year, we are meant to sleep more during the winter months, and the lack of light makes it much easier. nn- Create Sacred Time for Yourself: Along with shorter days, the cold weather in the winter is another one of nature’s cues for us to make time to go inwards and spend time alone. journal, meditate, draw, cook hearty soups, nap. Midwinter has a very different feel and energy from the warm days of summer that draw us outdoors to be social and in the world.nn- Nest: Because we are inclined to stay in during the winter months, it’s a perfect time to make our homes more comfortable. Our homes reflect our inner life, and when they are nurturing and inviting, we feel better inside.nn- Get a dose of sunlight during the day: Seasonal depression is a fact for many people. Even if you don’t suffer from it, you may notice you’re a little slower or sluggish during the winter months. It’s important to get your dose of sunlight as often as possible. So, even it’s just a 5 minute walk around the block, be sure to get outside and expose yourself to some rays (but, of course, wear sunblock!).nn- Do Less: What I’m about to say might upset some of you: It’s ok to slow down. The intense energy of the summer sun fuels us to move quickly and get lots done. Winter is a perfect time to slow down, do less, and take luscious and juicy care of ourselves (again, think “hibe
ation”!).nn- Dream More: The long winter nights invite us to dream, to vision our futures, to open to new possibilities. Before taking action, we must know where we want to go, and this time of year is perfect for dreaming up new futures for ourselves.