Harvesting Winter’s Wisdom: Integrating Faith and Wellness in the Season of Reflection
As we wrap up the winter season and prepare for the hustle and bustle that comes with Spring and Summer, there’s still time to nourish yourself.
We can learn a lot from nature and how it uses the slower quieter time of winter to nourish itself for the upcoming surge of life.
Often, we think of those slower quieter times as only the actual winter season, but there are times we can feel like we are in a spiritual winter, and we can use that time to nourish ourselves too.
We can embrace this quieter period to build up our inner reserves, deepen our faith, and plant the seeds for personal growth and renewal. Just as the natural world trusts in the cycle of seasons, we too can trust in this spiritual winter as necessary to the reawakening of spring within our hearts and souls.
GOD’s Word tells us we can trust that there is a time and season for everything.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” - Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Here are 6 ways nature nourishes itself and how we can follow their example.
1. Rest and Renewal
Trees and plants are dormant during the winter, and they conserve energy and resources. This rest is crucial to their survival!
How can we use nature’s example for rest and renewal?
Rest and renewal are at the center of our health and well being. Just as plants and animals slow down and conserve energy to survive the winter and thrive in spring, we can benefit from integrating rest and renewal into our lives. It will revitalize our body, mind, and spirit!
What are some ways you can incorporate rest and renewal in your life?
Meditation is one way to reduce stress and anxiety. We can practice mindful meditation or, my favorite, spiritual meditation. This can involve prayer, contemplation on scripture, or reflection such as contemplative or imaginative prayer.
Don’t forget to get adequate sleep! The quality of your sleep can be more important than the quantity of your sleep. Have a restful environment that is free from distractions. Creating a consistent sleep schedule, a bedtime rhythm, and minimizing blue light exposure before bed can definitely improve your sleep quality and your overall health.
Add some restful activities into your life! You might want to try some nature walks. They can have a very calming effect on your mind and body. Trying out some creative hobbies can serve as a restful escape – adding a sense of accomplishment and joy. Gentle forms of exercise like yoga, tai chi, or stretching can be totally rejuvenating! They not only help in maintaining our physical health but also reduce stress and improve our mental well-being by focusing on our breath and body awareness.
2. Root Nourishment
Even as the world seems to sleep above ground, roots continue to grow and strengthen beneath the surface. This hidden growth supports the plant’s resurgence in the spring.
How can we deepen our “roots” in a season of stillness, quiet, or dormancy?
Adding or deepening our Spiritual Practices can help create the rhythm of connecting with GOD, partnering with Him in His purpose for our lives and our world. Do you have a devotion or Bible Study that you currently use? If not, or if you want to change up what you’re doing now, here are some of my favorites:
First 5 – app
Abide – app
Encounter – podcast
Hallow – app
You Version Bible – app
Jesus Calling – book
We can strengthen our relationships – taking the time to build a strong support system with family and friends can help us deepen our roots.
We can also develop our own internal resources. One way we can do that is by developing resilience – that involves embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, maintaining a positive outlook, and to learn from our experiences. Developing our emotional intelligence can help our internal resources as well. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. I don’t know about you, but I could use more of that!
Reflection is a wonderful way to nourish your roots any time of the year, but especially in a “winter season”. Here are some journal prompts to help your “roots” grow deep:
What is calling for nourishment in my life right now?
What do I love to do that I don’t do anymore?
Complete this sentence – I feel deeply nourished when I…..
What fills me up?
What gives me energy?
What no longer matters and is ready to be blessed and released?
3. Adaptation to Change
Just as animals and plants adapt to the changing climate to ensure their survival and well-being, humans too can benefit from adjusting their routines and habits to align with the seasonal shift.
What are some ways we can be flexible and responsive to the changes in our lives and our seasons?
We can adjust our diets! Incorporating seasonal produce is a wonderful way to enjoy fresher and tastier foods and it supports our changing nutritional needs. And who doesn’t love some good ol’ comfort food when we are “wintering”. Creating some stews, soups, and even casseroles provide warmth not only to our bodies but to our souls as well.
Let’s modify our exercise routines. When it’s cold outside, find ways to stay active indoors! This might include some home workouts like yoga, or you might join a gym. Making a commitment to go to the gym also satisfies our need to be social. Yes, we love to be social even in the wintering time. I love to get outside even if it is cold. My dog, Deacon, doesn’t mind the cold and I don’t either as long as I’m dressed for the weather. To make it easier for me, I put my cold weather gear (and I have several options depending on the conditions) in a bin in the closet so I can just grab and go! If I have to search for things, chances are I will give in and not go. Do you find yourself doing the same thing?
You can always stay active indoors! If you have space at home, set up a dedicated work out space. There are so many options now available on your phone, iPad, or computer - from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to pilates and yoga, there's no shortage of ways to stay fit at home.
Integrating mind-body practices like yoga or tai chi into your routine gives multiple benefits with physical exercise and mental relaxation. Both of these help us manage stress and maintain our mental well-being no matter what season we are in.
A couple thoughtful journal prompts!
When I feel depleted it’s typically because…..
If I were to spend a “season” replenishing my energy, what would I do?
What would I not do?
4. Preservation and Storage
Just as animals gather and store food and plants conserve energy for the cold months ahead, humans too can benefit from a strategy of preservation and preparation to ensure health and well-being throughout any winter season.
Whether we are thinking about the shorter days in our natural winter season, or the spiritually “dark and dry” days of a personal “winter” season, there are a few ways we can preserve and store for our own well-being.
We can preserve our energy. Recognize that during a “wintering” time we can experience less energy, give yourself permission to rest. Nature gives us a wonderful example of slowing down! It’s okay to rest. Using techniques like breathing and meditation can help you rest and release stress even though you aren’t laying down to take a nap. Rest does not always have to be horizontal – although there is absolutely nothing wrong with a nap!
Make sure you have ample nourishment and hydration. Plan your meals using seasonal produce, this helps to ensure you are getting necessary vitamins and minerals to support a healthy immune system. The dry winter air can lead to dehydration more easily than you might expect. To drink plenty of water, use herbal teas, and broths making it easier to keep your hydration up!
Prepare and store meals is a great way to keep nutritious food handy without having to cook big meals everyday. This is where the stews, soups, and casseroles can come in too! A great way is to make a big batch and freeze some to have good, easy meal options quickly.
Some things to consider:
What foods or drinks make you feel your best?
What foods or drinks do you consume that zap your energy?
What other inputs does your physical body require to feel good?
5. Inner Growth and Reflection
The winter season, with its inherent quiet and slower pace, offers the unique opportunity for inner growth and reflection. It can serve as a contemplative time to look inward, reassess life's direction, set new goals, and cultivate a deeper sense of peace and purpose.
What are some ways you can harness your “winter” introspection?
A couple of great ways to reflect and self-assess is with journaling and doing a year in review. There are lots of ways to get started with journaling.
Find a beautiful journal that inspires you to open it every day.
Have a set of 3 – 5 journal prompts you can go through each day. Usually these would include “What went well?”, “What am I grateful for?”, “What would I do differently?”
Use the book “Artists Way” to help you develop a habit of journaling.
Don’t overthink the journaling – it doesn’t have to be deep life changing thoughts, it can be just random thoughts, and try not to make it a “to-do” list (you probably already have one of those)
Have you ever done a “year in review”? It is probably the best way I know of to learn how to celebrate your successes. Even big accomplishments get forgotten! Here are a few ways I do a year in review (make sure you have a pad of paper or journal handy!)
Go through your photos on your phone. You’d be surprised what you might have forgotten.
Go through your calendar.
Look through your journals and read your thoughts over the past year.
Look over your credit card receipts as to where you spent your resources.
Your calendar and your credit card receipts are insightful as to where you spent time and money.
It might be a time to reflect on and perhaps journal about:
What would you like to do more of?
What would you like to do less of?
Set goals. It does not matter what actual time of the year it is, you can start right where you are. Define your target and set some goals for the upcoming year or even for a quarter. Another awesome project to do is a “Vision Board”. If you have never created a vision board before, it can be a powerful visual tool for goal setting and motivation. You assemble images and maybe even words that represent your goals and dreams. It creates a very tangible representation of the future you want.
Cultivate inner peace with meditation and mindfulness as well as taking those wonderful nature walks.
You can deepen your faith and spirituality by your spiritual practices. You might have a wonderful spiritual rhythm right now, or you may want to change it up. You might like to attend an in-person bible study, or if that doesn’t work out with your schedule, you could find an online study group. Our Whole Life Health for Faith Based Women may be just what you are looking for in this season of your faith walk. Click the link to learn more.
Taking on a gratitude practice is a powerful way to keep your mind and spirit focused on the positive. We will find what we are looking for – if you are looking for things and/or people to be grateful for, you will find them. Get your journal out and jot those down as they come to your mind.
Another way to inspire inner growth and reflection is plan some personal health goals. You can do a health review by reflecting on your current health and wellness practices. What habits serve you well, and which ones could be improved? Setting goals for physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction can lead to a healthier, more balanced life. This may be a great time to look for professional help. Consider consulting with a health or wellness coach, nutritionist, or personal trainer to develop a realistic and personalized plan to achieve your health goals. One of things I love to do as a coach is to provide motivation, accountability, and to consider “what might get in the way” to navigate challenges and setbacks so you can set yourself up for inevitable success. If this is something you are looking for right now, click this link to schedule a call with me.
6. Community and Connection
During the winter months when feelings of isolation can intensify, whether due to cold temps or when you are in a spiritual winter, engaging with community, seeking support, and offering support to others are really critical to our mental health and resilience.
Here are some ways we can foster community and connection:
As much as we may have had our fill of zoom meetings, attending virtual gatherings can still be a way to stay connected. I know it’s not the same, but there is real benefit in connection even if it’s virtual.
Getting involved in Wellness Groups is a great way to create connection! You already have a foundation of shared interest and these can be joined in person or virtually.
Don’t forget to stay in touch with family and friends. Thanks to technology there are any number of ways to be connected – texts, calls, video calls, or social media. Even just a short text to let someone know you are thinking of them will make their day.
Another great way to stay connected is offering support to others. You can be a listening ear for someone, you can share resources, or you could volunteer.
All these ways will foster and develop a sense of community and connection even when days are dark, or souls feel dry – whichever “winter” you are in.
In essence, a spiritual winter, much like nature's winter, is not merely a period to endure but an essential phase for deep, transformative growth. It's a time for turning inward, conserving energy, and preparing for a new season of life. Through reflection, rest, and reliance on community, we can navigate our spiritual winters with grace, emerging stronger and more rooted in our faith and purpose.
We can carry forward the wisdom of winter—root nourishment, adaptation, preservation, and the warmth of community. It will continue to build up our spirit and deepen our faith, as well as create new opportunities to have better health and to boost our well-being.
If the idea of seamlessly integrating your Christian faith into your pursuit of holistic health resonates with you, then I invite you to check out our membership group, Whole Life Health for Faith Based Women.
Discover a community where faith and wellness intertwine seamlessly. Whole Life Health for Faith Based Women, guided by Living Well Coaching, invites you to embark on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being.
Here, you'll find more than just a space to nurture your body; it's a sanctuary where your spirit flourishes in alignment with God's divine plan. As a member, you'll cultivate purpose, embrace worthiness, and uncover the profound truth of your spiritual abundance.
With focused themes, live sessions, and weekly devotionals, our community offers practical guidance and unwavering support.
Are you ready to bridge the gap between your health journey and your Christian faith? Join me and experience the joy of thriving in health while deepening your connection with Jesus. Embrace true holistic health and step into the purpose God has intended for your life.
Join us today and begin your journey towards whole-life wellness.
If you know you want to make a change, that you want more from life, and you’re ready to set some goals, book a time for "From Dreaming to Doing: Faith-infused Visioning" a unique 90-minute visioning session that is guided by your Christian faith. From envisioning your dream to setting achievable goals and creating manageable action steps, this session integrates the principles of your faith without feeling selfish or guilty, empowering you to walk in alignment with GOD’s purpose for your life.
Dear readers and wellness enthusiasts, thank you for joining me on this journey toward a healthier and more faith-integrated life.
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Blessings on your journey!
Debra Loader is a Christian Health and Wellness Coach, a Christian Life Coach, as well as a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). She helps women integrate their Christian faith into their health and wellness journey to find greater motivation and resilience. You can contact Debra at debra@debraloaderlivingwell.com or 810-287-4096.