Honoring the Winter Wind Down
As the winter holiday inches closer, we invite you to take a pause to honor the change of pace and tune in to how your needs may differ now compared to other seasons.
As busy non-profit and education professionals, we often hear, “I don’t have time to pause!” Or “I don’t even have time to finish my to-do list, let alone check in with how I feel right now”. We get it. You may be working under pressure to wrap up pressing items before going on break. Maybe this is the end of your semester or fiscal year and you are up to your eyeballs in paperwork. Maybe you haven’t seen the sun in weeks and the loss of Vitamin D has you teetering on the edge of seasonal depression. Or maybe the flurry of holiday parties just has you whirling in exhaustion. Whatever you may be navigating at this time of year, it is OK to take some time to slow down and honor your needs. Wellness is your birthright.
Here are some ways to honor the winter wind down mind, body and spirit, The Teaching Well way…
Soothe your Mind (Mind)
Gift yourself a 30 second pause. In the midst of the fray, take a few moments to center and reset. This could look like spending 30 seconds staring out the window into nature, or taking three slow, deep breaths.
Externalize your mental load. Creating a list of to-do’s can help to externalize these tasks and alleviate any burden on your mind. Maybe you are able to tick everything off the list before you go on break, and maybe not, but the list will be there on your desk waiting for you when you return and doesn’t have to live in your mind rent free.
Feed your mind good things. Looping empowering affirmations or listening to your favorite playlist can have wondrous affects on the mind. Also, have you heard our podcast, Gather At The Well on the We Are For Good podcast feed? Check it out for some good change leadership conversation with our Executive Director Lindsey Fuller.
Recalibrate your Routines (Body)
Connect with nature. Studies show that only 5 minutes in nature can help reset your nervous system. During our busy work routines we may not always have time to immerse ourselves in the healing balm of nature. During your holiday break, why not schedule an intentional day out in the wild - whatever that means for your geography.
Shift your routines. The winter wind down has a different flow from our summer turn up. Often the shifts in the weather can impact the routines that we set for fitness or outdoor experiences, so we have to get creative about ways to sustain wellness practices in a way that accounts for the shifts in the season. You may need to swap your sunset walk for a sunrise walk, or invite your favorite coworker to walk 5 laps around the parking lot during lunch. If you work from home, why not consider purchasing a walking pad or buy a pass to your favorite gym or fitness class.
Hot Tip: Self-Care can be financed but it can also be free. Sometimes booking that body-based spa day is just what the doctor ordered, but if you can’t afford to pay, it is still OK! Take a walk in your local park, make a homemade face mask, or take a luxurious bath. There are plenty of ways to usher in rest and care without having to break the budget.
Protect your Peace (Spirit)
Establish Healthy Boundaries. Remember, your peace is yours to protect. Maybe your plate is too full and you simply can’t take anything else on. “No” is a full sentence. Take that “pro-social pause” to check in somatically before you commit to things and only say “yes” to what you can truly manage. You have agency here.
Slow down. Make intentional time to rest and hibernate. We see so many hard working teachers and non-profit professionals fall ill at the break. They push and push until vacation comes, then spend the whole time sick in bed. Let’s honor the shorter days and longer nights and just slow down to engage in rest before burnout strikes.
Friend, it is time to take off your cape and use it as a blanket. Wrap yourself in a self-swaddle compression session and get cozy during this time of reflection and rest. You deserve it.