Finding Light in the "Hazy Shade of Winter"

"Winter is often perceived as something to be endured, a cold spell between the vibrance of autumn and the renewal of spring. Our bodies brace with rigidity and our shoulders hunch against the wind as we metaphorically hold our breath until the light returns. As the days grow short and the air turns crisp, the winter season often presents unique challenges to our emotional well-being."

"The lack of sunlight, colder temperatures, and increased stagnation can deplete our psychological reserves, requiring the cultivation of resilience, our ability to adapt and thrive in the midst of adversity. During winter, we can preserve our inner peace through the practice of mindful movement, integrating the wisdom of yoga with the restorative power of nature walks. The Science of Stress and the Winter Slump Winter is meant for hibernation, a time for mind and body to rest, replenish, and restore."

Winter brings shorter days, cold temperatures, and increased stagnation that can deplete psychological reserves and lower serotonin, contributing to depressive feelings, lethargy, and impaired concentration. Stress regulation becomes more difficult as reduced activity and cold make engaging the prefrontal cortex for problem-solving and emotion regulation harder. Elevating positive emotions helps undo physiological effects of negative emotions and strengthens resilience. Mindful movement, including a triad of yoga practices—movement, meditation, and breathwork—serves as an internal sanctuary that supports recovery. Regular winter nature walks harness environmental restorative power to amplify resilience and preserve inner peace during seasonal adversity.

Read at Psychology Today