Falling Into Winter
Fall is upon us and winter is just around the corner. I can feel it around the farm, we have been enjoying cooler nights and mornings. Gone are the sweltering bedside days of pruning and tying nightshades. During crisp morning walks around the pastures, it’s hard to recall the intensity of the summer heat and the tears I shed for the crops I lost to fiery days and relentless insects. Nature is clever like that; in the midst we say never again, then we step into the next season with open arms. It’s like love after heartache. If we were always to remember how hard something was to get through in vivid, we wouldn’t persevere. Personally, summer reminds me of child bearing and rearing. After the first year with each of my babes, I remember the hard work of birthing and sleepless nights of feeding- yet I don’t remember the physical pain. I suppose that’s why I have three. Comparatively, I guess that’s why I am still farming.
October’s lower temperatures traditionally mean a slower season is nearing. Our long-standing crops settle into the beds, awaiting the shorter days and chilly nights. As a holistic practitioner and farmer my mind can’t help but acknowledge the similarities of needs between all living things. While the season gives the outside world no choice but to slow life down, we must be intentional about recognizing the cues. Through the season we also must be intentional to support our wellness.
As I have previously mentioned in The Easiest Hardest Thing, natural light is key to good health. Mornings and evenings now have the added challenge as the hours of daylight have lessened. I urge you to do your best to get morning sunlight as well as protect your eyes as much as possible from artificial lighting and screens; morning and night. As a light recap- blue light sends us the signal that it’s time to produce waking hormones even if it’s not waking hours. This is confusing for your body and leaves little time for true rest. Taking sunshine breaks throughout the day lets your body recognize the time of year and day. The sun’s rays are different with each season and even with each passing hour. This is also crucial for seasonal low mood support. Even if there are clouds in the sky, there is still light exposure to be had.
Another way we can communicate with our body is by eating seasonally. Pay attention to what is available to purchase from the local farms around you. Root crops, bitter greens and herbs are what currently thrive in our fields . All are going to play a big role in supporting digestion. Again, with the season of “slow”, when it’s cooler out our digestion can be a tad sluggish. Cold salads need salt and acids to get your digestive juices flowing. Dark leafy greens need warming and wilting, assisting and stimulating our bodies in digestion is key. Nutrient dense proteins alongside those greens and roots are going to nourish the body. Winter is the time to replenish. If you choose to start your day with a smoothie, letting it come to room temperature is going to make it better available to your body. When putting food together, check your ingredients, are all of the components in season? Seasonal fruits in the summer play a large role in giving us the energy we need to get through those long summer days. The high number of antioxidants in all of the brightly colored produce aids in protecting our skin from those summer sun rays. The carbohydrate rich summer goods tell our bodies we have hours of work and play ahead. Currently being in the fall and approaching the winter season, we don’t need to be giving our bodies summer cues, but our world of conveniences have made summer foods readily available year round. One of the simplest things we can do to support our body in the slow seasons is to slow ourselves and rest. The longer nights are not here to inconvenience us. I have to remind myself of that every year. I find our own home struggles to avoid filling the longer evenings with television or scrolling. We need that deep winter rest, so indulge in early bedtimes or candle lit conversations. I encourage you to start by adding in one or two alternative nights per week which can make it seem more manageable. It often seems like we have forgotten that children especially need this time for rest and nourishment to mitigate, as the next summer season generally results in huge growth spurts and changes in their bodies. Yet we continue to fill their evenings with sports and quick eats. I want to make it known that this information is not intended to shame anyone, just to add food for thought as we all fall into societal norms.
Lastly, connection. We as humans are social creatures and we need connection with one another. Enjoy those rich winter meals with family and friends. This deeply nourishes a different part of you. Make intentional time for those coffee dates you have been trying to squeeze in, or that new little restaurant you have been wanting to try. Do that, all of that with humans that feed your soul. I was listening to a podcast recently and they emphasized that who you are eating with is just as important as what you are eating, and I confidently stand by that thought.
Do you have seasonal rituals, or habits that you look forward to? Every season has something to offer. Taking time to listen and embracing what nature has to give is a way we can support the wellness of ourselves and family.
