Easing out of winter
Easing out of winter
March heralds a massive step on the journey towards spring, but the transitions between seasons can leave some of us feeling a little off. Read on to find out how you can ease yourself out of winter and get the new season of to a positive start.
The weather is slowly changing as the threat of the icy cold days of winter become a distant memory. Snowdrops, daffodils and other spring flowers have been peeping out from the winter homes over the last few weeks, signalling that the seasons are changing.
We are moving from the depths of yin and the water element into the more yang wood element of spring. In Traditional Chinese Medicine we have been looking to rest, restore and conserve our energies over winter, allowing us to emerge refreshed and ready to enjoy the newness of spring.
But it’s not quite as simple as that, is it? An old Scottish term states, ‘Ne’er cast a clout ‘til May is oot.’ Which translates as, ‘don’t put your winter clothes away until the end of May,’ and in Scotland that’s probably an accurate assessment of our weather!
Moving from the coorie in phase of the year can offer a challenge for many. We’ve become accustomed to snuggling under blankets, watching Netflix and planning to start the diet on Monday. Now with spring on the horizon it’s going to take some effort to get going, but this is the theme of the season ahead – motivation to move forwards.
Top Tips
- Head outside first thing in the morning for a dose of light. This will help set the circadian rhythms aiding the body heading into natural sleep at the end of the day. Start the day with that boost can help the evening wind-down immensely.
- Wrap up and head for a walk. The nights are lighter so maybe instead of heading straight home after work, take a detour to a park and have a stroll. Creating a buffer between the working day and the relaxation of the evening is a great way to not bring your work home.
Making these small changes just now is a positive step towards embracing the spring season when it arrives in a few weeks. It’s almost as if you’re having a trial run at spring, but still enjoying coming home and relaxing in the warmth and cosiness of home.
