February: how’s it going so far for you?

In life, in general?

With your health and longevity?

Does anyone else feel like they should have just let January just be? 

I do find January to be an odd (albeit long) month. 

For one, it’s straight after the Christmas madness, where I feel the need for another month to recover from it. Marketing pushed so far down our throats in the run up to Christmas, only to be followed by sales and price drops!

But it doesn’t stop there! From Boxing Day, we then feel the pressure to create new routines, fitness plans (me included!); time management plans; holiday plans and set about starting new hobbies; signing up for mad challenges and goals; as well as changing our food plans and not forgetting to, overnight, cut out old habits! Frankly, it’s a bit too much!

Oh, and don’t forget to breathe, of course! 

Perhaps starting off with new plans and routines from February instead might be a better way to start. 

The importance of our connection to nature

I’ve been reading a lot about how strong and important our connection to nature is and how embracing nature, in all its glory, can leave us feeling more fulfilled and purposeful. But also more balanced in our energy levels and motivation.

Such as, sleeping more in the winter to restore our bodies and energy, by sleeping when it’s dark and also eating more seasonally, and only in lighter hours.

So that once brighter mornings and lighter summer evenings arrive, we have the strength and energy to be more active; productive; and more social. Winter is a time to slow down a little (hibernate perhaps); a time to rest, recover; sleep more and even eat more in tune with the season.

Warming casseroles and stews packed full of dark, earth-coloured root vegetables; like beets, carrots and purple potatoes; as well as rich, dark leafy greens and nutritious filling wholegrains. 

Being mindful of the season we are in and how nature around us, can perhaps allow us to be a little slower and more restorative in the things we do. 

This month

So for this month; February, you’ll find me tucked up in my favorite winter office spot; my comfy bed. Toasty and warm, with two duvets and several giant pillows; an endless supply of Cleanse tea from Quinteassential (delish!) and most importantly a large window with a view.

A view of the street outside which is mostly obstructed by a huge, bare cherry blossom tree. There’s not a leaf or bud in sight.

The tree is enjoying its sleep.

Being still, calm, rested and recuperating its energy for a summer in full bloom. 

As for my yoga practice; it is slower, more restorative.

I’m giving myself time to just go through the motions, almost.

To just move for the sake of moving, because I always feel better for some movement, rather than no movement. My energy builds as I move too. It allows me to breathe a little deeper and give myself time to get into my body and out of my head. 

If you’ve been joining me in class; whether online or in-person, you’ll find my yoga classes more technique based too; allowing us time to learn and implement some new actions and engagement so that once the season changes again, we’ll find our inner energy that comes with those lighter mornings, and where our motivation matches the sunshine and the tiny growing buds on the trees.  

How’s your start to the year going? How are you finding the start of the year?
Is there anything I can do to help?