Listening to Yourself in the Quiet of Winter
This may seem obvious, but every season has its qualities. We can choose to either embrace these qualities or ignore them.
In winter things naturally slow down. During the long hours of darkness, we tend to spend more time inside, and this can provide a natural time to look inward.
In 5 element theory, winter is associated with the element of water, which can symbolize quiet, stillness, and intuition. Think of a frozen pond or the hush after a snow fall. Being quiet allows us to hear the voice within, and to tap into our intuition.
Winter is a time to gather energy, rest, and ultimately to rejuvenate. Think of a plant that has died back for the winter, but whose root is gathering energy underground. It must do the work of resting so that it is ready to spring forth with renewed energy when the weather warms up again. So too with us. If we expend too much energy during the winter, we will be depleted come springtime when the season is calling for us to grow. Winter is telling us to slow down, look within, and listen to ourselves.
There are many different practices that can enhance this type of inner work, such as:
meditation
yoga
reading
writing
crafting
baking
winter walks in the woods (my personal favorite)
or simply drinking a cup of tea
I can’t think of a more nourishing and restful activity than having a warm cup of herbal tea on a cold winter night, a simple act that should not be overlooked! See below for some winter tea suggestions.
Whether you decide to incorporate a new practice into your winter routine or not, I do encourage you to be mindful of when you feel tired, and rather than fight it, allow yourself to rest. Listen to your body, try to hear that inner voice, and allow yourself to be nourished this winter season.
Wishing you a restorative winter season,
Jillian
Winter Tea Suggestions:
Safety note: If you take medication, have high blood pressure, or have other health conditions, please check with an herbal practitioner before consuming any herbs you are unfamiliar with.
Contains: Organic eleuthero root, organic cassia cinnamon bark, organic dandelion root roasted, organic astragalus root, organic orange peel, organic ginger root, organic chicory root roasted, organic licorice root, organic cardamom, and organic cloves.
RASA Golden Chai - Use promo code: JILLIAN06398 for 15% Off
Contains: Roasted chicory*, roasted burdock*, saigon cinnamon*, roasted date seed*, shatavari*, codonopsis*, ginger*, roasted dandelion*, eleuthero*, turmeric extract (bcm-95®), cardamom*, vanilla bean*, cloves*, black pepper*, boswellia extract (aqualox®), <1% maltodextrin, & gum acacia
This recipe is moisturizing as well as warming, and can help bring moisture and healing to the GI tract, urinary tract, respiratory tract, and nervous system. This tea could be particularly supportive for someone who has interstitial cystitis.
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp. Oats Milky tops
1 tbsp. Licorice root
1 tbsp. Chamomile flowers
1 tsp. Marshmallow root powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add 20 fluid oz. of boiling water to the oats, licorice and chamomile in a teapot and steep for 10 minutes
Strain the tea
Add the marshmallow to ½ cup of the strained tea and vigorously stir; you may also need to use a fine sieve to get it to dissolve
Add the marshmallow to the remaining strained tea
Sweeten with honey or sweetener of choice, if desired.
About me
My name is Jillian Bar-av and I am a Registered Herbalist and Licensed Nutritionist who works with busy women to help them have the energy to do what they love. I specialize in conditions that affect the reproductive system and urinary tract, such as PCOS and Interstitial Cystitis. I believe that it takes healthy people to create a healthy planet, and I want to make a difference for both.
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