Winter gets a bad rap. Hear me out….
On Saturday December 21st at 4:19 am, we entered into the Winter Solstice. This marked the day the Earth’s poles reached their maximum tilt away from the sun. It is know as the symbolic death but also the rebirth of the sun. While it appears that we are entering into a long stretch of stagnation, rest assured, the earth and sun are quietly at work. The days ahead signify a slow, but miraculous trek back to the light.
Our sun is on a new journey! Are you?
I know what you are thinking. Sounds miraculous on paper, but for most of us, it is just cold and dark.
Last year, I decided Winter needed a facelift. I wanted to keep my early morning wake up/running routine going despite the impending darkness. Enter…. Rachel Brathen. Rachel has a lovely podcast called, From the Heart, which I devour every Friday. She also happens to live in Sweden where the sun rises at 9am and sets at 3pm during the Winter months. That means a lot of time in the dark. Rachel offered some tips for embracing the darkness, which I promptly implemented! In this post I will share some of those tips along with some other ideas that helped me revel in the winter season.
By Candelight….
One of the things that Rachel mentioned in her podcast, was to avoid counteracting the darkness. Instead of turning on every light, she suggested lighting candles. When I implemented this, there was an immediate shift. This simple detail turned an otherwise mundane moment into something special. It inspired me! Each morning, I lit taper candles on my dining room table and slowly ushered in the morning. I lit my Palo Santa, sipped my lemon water and journaled by candlelight. It felt great.
This was the jumpstart of my new theme, Winter Luxury. I carried this idea with me through everything I did. More on that in a little bit……
Other than the overall splendor of a candlelit morning, it also has some scientific benefits. Research has shown that waking with natural light, preferably the rising sun, will help to synchronize your internal clock. This alignment of the circadian rhythm in the morning, will actually boost energy and mood levels throughout the day, leading to better sleep at night. In turn, exposure to bright artificial light first thing in the morning, will actually cause one to feel sleepy and less alert.
I have even put this into practice with my kids. I now wake them with the lights off and use minimal light throughout the morning. I found a cute light up Birch Tree at Target during the holidays, and I plan to keep it in use all winter! It is artificial light, however, it gives off a soft twinkly glow that is perfect for the morning. Its on sale right now, if you want to snag it!
Seasons Eatings….
Ever wonder what’s growing in January? Surprisingly, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables in season. See the graphic for a list.
One of my favorite hacks for utilizing this produce is to do a quick Google search using in-season items as the keyword. For example, I just recently did this with Grapefruit (in-season) and discovered an amazing salad with Kale, Grapefruit, Radishes and Avocado.
My daughter and I also love soup, and it feels so nourishing this time of year. I love experimenting with soup and stew recipes, because it usually means I will also have an easy lunch for the next day! Warm spices are another simple luxury that is easy to add. Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves and Cayenne. are all good options. Bonus – these warm spices also enhance circulation and promote good digestive health!
The BODi app has thousands of recipes, and it is where I find the majority of mine. What I love is that all recipes are health-conscious so I know that I am going to find a nutritious and delicious meal. I have added a few great recipes below.
Winter Salad with Grapefruit, Crispy Quinoa, and Jalapeño-Mint Vinaigrette
Lux Bundling….
I wholeheartedly believe that if you have a cute outfit, it is much more fun to workout! This also rings true for winter gear! There really is no bad weather, if you have the appropriate clothes. Last year I began to bulk up my winter workout wardrobe. I got a lot of layering pieces, a great coat, a nice vest and warm leggings. Each day, no matter the weather, I feel prepared. Sometimes I am surprised by the cost of athletic gear, but I try to remember that it an investment. I much prefer having a few key pieces, rather than drawers full of things I don’t really like. This might be a great opportunity to sort out things that are uncomfortable or you don’t love. We do this a lot with our day-to-day clothes, but do it with workout clothes too! It makes getting ready so much easier.
The four pieces I mentioned are essential, but its also good to have plenty of accessories on hand. Gloves that can be used with a phone, a neck warmer, a light-up hat and fleece-lined headband are all items that I have multiples of. I keep them in a bin by the door for easy access.
Finally, don’t skimp on your undergarments! When I started running more consistently I realized how important a good high-impact sports bra is! I prefer running bras that zip in the front. They are much easier to get on and off and provide more support. I am very specific about my socks too. Lately I have been loving crew socks.
I have created a LTK post that contains all my running essentials. You can find it HERE.
Creative Bliss….
January 1st has come and gone. For many, so have the #goals. I have written about this many times, and facts are facts. Only about 9% of people stick to their new years resolutions. I wrote that in lower case letters for a reason. Remaking your life in one day is not realistic and actually, pretty boring. So, what else can happen?
The first step is to change the way you relate to winter months. Start by trading adjectives like cold, dark and dreary for warm, shimmery and glowing. Poof …. instantly a new context. Lets also ditch the idea of winter being a time to hibernate. Restful and contemplative yes, but not idle. This can be your season of creativity!
What do you want to bring into the world? What have you been wishing you had time to do? What will bring you joy?
Indulging in You…..
Finally, how can you nourish your soul during the Winter?
I challenge you to get really clear about things that bring you joy, and then gift them to yourself.
A couple of years ago, I realized that I feel my best when I spend time outside. That is why I get out there, no matter the weather. On mornings when I run, I have more energy and I feel more balanced and peaceful throughout the day. My goal for 2025 is to find other moments to get outside. I have two friends at work who share this joy and it has been great to connect with them for a quick walk. I also want to get my kids outside with me more. Sometimes it is daunting to layer everyone up, but once you are out there it is totally worth it.
Another thing that brings me joy is taking care of my skin. I don’t know what it is, but it feels luxurious in some way. I religiously take a bath every night and load it with Epsom Salts. Dr. Teals has SO MANY options now. I typically find the best variety at Walmart, but I recently got this variety pack on Amazon.
I also like to use a gua sha and facial rollers. First thing in the morning, I like using an ice roller. Besides reducing puffiness, it can also increase circulation, tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles. It also feels great when you have a headache or sinus pressure.
I also have a quartz vibrating roller that I use after the shower. I have a few favorite facial oils, but lately I have been using it the Mad Hippie Antioxidant Oil. The combination of steam, vibration, rolling and oil, feels like heaven on my skin.
I really hope this post gave you some Winter Inspo.
Just remember…..each day, more and more light will shine into the darkness. Each day, new life will stir. I hope you are there to witness the magic.
To shop anything in this post you can head to my LTK !!!
See you soon,
