Why Winter is the Right Time for Reflection
We are at the midpoint of winter, a season of contrasts—cold and cozy, dark and light, death and life. There is the picturesque quality of white, frosty landscapes, glistening ice-laced tree branches, and silently falling snow. There are the images of bundling up in soft, cozy scarves and mittens and settling in with hot cocoa next to the fireside.
Yet, winter can also represent a time of darkness, both literally and figuratively. The hum of the holiday season is past, and along with it, the social festivities and whirl of excitement and anticipation. Suddenly, we feel left with shorter days, cloudy skies, barren branches, and relative quiet and stillness.
Regardless of how we perceive winter, there is a profound power in learning to discern annual shifts, attune to seasonal rhythms, and connect with their nuances in meaningful ways.
Frozen & Flowing
The Role of Water
Wed is the Indo-European root of the word “winter”, and means “water” or “wet.” Traditional Chinese medicine also associates winter with the element of water. This comes as no surprise, as we are more likely to experience snow, rain, ice, and fog during the winter months.
Water is a versatile element, fluid and transforming, and as full of contrasts as winter itself. Water can be experienced through hurricanes with torrential rains, violent ocean waves, and over-saturation or flooding. In contrast, it can express itself in a meditative flowing river, a welcome afternoon shower, or a subtle ripple in a still lake.
Water plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of nature. The human body is made up of approximately 60% water. Proper hydration is crucial for optimum functioning of the body’s complex systems. Traditional Chinese medicine associates the dark and wet winter months with the kidneys, which are thought to hold our vital life energy and play a key role in maintaining hydration in the body.
The kidneys help to balance the fluids in the body, utilize or store what we need, and filter and dispose of what we do not need. They are perpetually processing fluids in the ebb and flow of water, blood, hormones, and minerals in the body.
Fear & Courage
And the “Winter Blues”
On top of each kidney, the adrenal glands sit like two little caps, playing a major role in our fight-or-flight survival system by releasing stress hormones whenever necessary. According to ancient wisdom, an imbalance in the kidneys can result in fear, anxiety, and/or depression.
Coincidentally, contemporary Western medicine has found evidence that some people are more prone to physical symptoms (e.g. viruses, cardiovascular issues, respiratory infections, etc.), mental/emotional challenges (e.g. seasonal affective disorder, social isolation, etc.), or even higher risk of death during the winter.
For some, the quiet stillness of these darker months evokes fear or anxiety. A lack of sunlight can result in lower levels of vitamin D and reduced physical activity, which increase the likelihood of a depressed mood.
Our multitasking, attention deficit, instant gratification, on-the-go society can make moments of stillness extremely uncomfortable. Memories from the past, regrets, or rumination may emerge. Thoughts of uncertainty, hopelessness, or isolation arise.
When we don’t feel well (physically or emotionally), we are more likely to withdraw from people or activities that typically bring us joy or fulfillment. This contributes to a self-perpetuating cycle. We lack the energy or motivation to access the activities or supportive relationships which improve our mood, and we remain stuck in a low or depressed state, disinterested and isolated.
What would happen if we learned how to lean into winter with all its paradoxes and contrasts?
Hide & Discover
Going Inside for Answers
Hiems is the Latin word for winter and the root of the word “hibernation.” Winter’s shortened days and cooler temperatures invite all of nature—plants, animals, and humans—to slow down and go inside.
We typically spend more time indoors, but we might also be challenged to spend more time inside ourselves—inside our body, mind, and psyche.
Plants may be dormant, without leaves and blossoms, but they are not dead. Animals may retreat underground, but they are not gone. We too, may take this opportunity to rest, restore our energy and resources, and focus more on what nourishes us.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the sense organ associated with winter is the ear, which is responsible for our ability to listen. When people are unable to see, their other senses often become heightened. Similarly, when we enter into a season of darkness, our environment is conducive to amplifying our capacity to hear. What do you hear when you inquire within?
We are invited to listen more deeply in the winter. When we go beneath the surface to explore, we often make discoveries that surprise us. This opportunity for reflection and introspection offers us a renewed understanding and perspective.
Consider ways to implement winter’s themes to support your overall wellness and vitality:
What in your life is ebbing? What is flowing?
How can you embody the power of a giant waterfall or the gentle ease of a trickling stream?
Just as your kidneys process nutrients and waste in your body, what might you want to absorb more fully into your life? What can you decide to release or eliminate?
Fear is part of our instinctive ability to protect ourselves and keep us safe. It also offers us an opportunity to assess whether our fears are warranted. What are your deepest fears? What makes you feel safe (emotionally and physically)? What enables you to tap into your innate courage?
What does the idea of retreating into hibernation feel like for you? Comforting? Distressing? Boring? Luxurious?
How can you listen more intently to the voice within you? What does it reveal?