5 Ways of Slowing Down When Nature Does
Wise woman ways to heed the call to slow down during the dark months of winter
In the cold, dark days of winter, the plants and trees go inward — down to the roots, storing nutrients and energy below the ground.
Animals are burrowing.
Nature is resting. Replenishing.
And you too are a creature of nature. Among all the outward hustle and bustle, your body and spirit innately long for quiet and rest.
Sometimes you just want to curl up by the fire and warm your toes!
It’s essential for your health and well-being to allow yourself to slow down over these winter months.
As you navigate your way through the darker months of the year, here are 5 tips for slowing down.
1. Walk outdoors to nourish your body, mind, and spirit
Taking time to walk outdoors at least a few days a week nourishes your body, mind, and spirit.
The movement of walking shifts your body’s hormones, bringing you to a more relaxed parasympathetic state.
Notice how the rhythm of the season draws inward. As you gaze around at the sky and the trees, you connect with the natural world — even if you’re in the middle of the city.
You’ll return home feeling nourished and refreshed!
2. Wind down with low light in the evening
After the whirlwind of the day, your body and mind need extra support in slowing down.
Imagine your foremothers on the long nights of winter. Without electric lights, those dark evenings naturally would downregulate the body.
Bright, stark overhead lights can overwhelm your nervous system. Instead, set up a small side table lamp with a warm, low-wattage light bulb.
Or simply light a candle. I treasure the warm glow of beeswax candles at dinner and before bed. An added bonus is that beeswax produces negative ions (as do waterfalls and falling rain), which support relaxation.
Go a little further, if you’re feeling adventurous — and try evenings without phones, computers, videos, or other light-producing machines. This gives your system a break.
The more you can wind down and relax in the evening, the more you support your precious sleep.
3. Support your sleep to wake up feeling restored
See how often you can get 7–8 hours (or even more!) of sleep in a night.
Sleep is medicine. As your brain waves slow down, your body and mind rest, repair, and heal.
Fun fact: In response to low light, your pineal gland secretes melatonin, the “hormone of darkness” — which supports deep and restful sleep.
So darken your bedroom to reduce ambient light. Wearing an eye mask at night (and when you nap) reminds your pineal gland to activate to support your rest.
Herbs such as catnip, skullcap, lemon balm, and lavender also calm the nerves.
If at all possible, don’t set an alarm. This way, your body wakes up naturally when your needs for sleep are satiated.
Go to bed early on these dark nights. You may be surprised how much sleep your body may want — and how restored you feel in the morning.
4. Savor a hot steamy bath as a healing ritual
Nourish and renew yourself by stepping into a hot steamy bath on a cold winter night!
This is one of my favorite healing rituals. I dim the lights so just the faint glow of the bathroom night light remains — or I light a candle.
If you like, put some fresh potherbs directly in the bath — such as rosemary, thyme, or lavender that might be growing on your windowsill or still alive outside your front door. Or moisturize and soothe your skin with rolled oats soaking in the hot water — tie them into a washcloth with a rubber band.
To top it off, you could turn on some tunes — choose music that quiets your insides.
5. Retreat into your quiet cave for replenishment
How could you carve out some time to retreat during the holidays — and/or early months of the new year? Slowing down this way counteracts the overstimulation of modern life.
A winter retreat has become an annual ritual for me, especially during the last week of the year (when no one expects you to be online or to respond quickly!).
I look forward to slipping off into my quiet cave to reconnect with myself — and also tending to nourishing, meaningful tasks that have slipped off the priority list during the year.
Mindfully create times to unplug — not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Even if you’re not able to take multiple days away at a time, consider carving out some alone time each day — perhaps when you first wake up.
Quiet time for reflection and integration will replenish your body and soul.
Slowing down in harmony with the season
Like the hibernating bear dreaming in her cave, the dark days of winter can bring much-needed rest and renewal when we embrace the opportunity.
Remember, it is your responsibility to take care of yourself. This winter, take care that you don’t run your batteries down with stress and a multitude of holiday obligations.
Follow nature’s persuasions — slowing down and downregulating your nervous system. By stepping outdoors. By savoring quiet evenings. By sleeping deeply.
Doing so will nourish you and carry you into more dynamic phases of the year with renewed energy and ease. The wise woman way.
For more inspiration and ideas, learn about the Wise Woman Tradition or take a peek at my blog: Along the Wise Woman Path.
