It's February! Let's Hibernate...

Hey! How are you as you head into February?

Usually, by the time I get to February, I am in complete hibernation mode and not much interested in anything but sleep, comfort food & reading or watching TV. This time, I'm feeling much better than usual, but am still hearing the call to sink into comfort. So if you're feeling the call to hibernate, too, then let's do it! Meet me here and we can hibernate together. I'll put on a pot for tea or hot chocolate.

“In the depths of winter, do you find yourself wanting to sleep more, eat more and curl up by the fire?” -Carol Venolia in MotherEarthLiving.com

If so, you’re not alone. In fact, you are probably more connected than others to our evolutionary past. Your body is sending out a call to hibernate, and it's resonating with you.

Did you know that going into hibernation mode is historical?

Documentation suggests that in the past, specifically, before we became an industrialized society, families holed up together during the winter months? They got a lot of rest, ate, drank, spent quiet time together, and took turns tending the fire.

In our modern-day world, what might winter hibernation look like for those of us who have winter blues, or seasonal affective disorder?

“Recent studies have uncovered hibernation-like physiology in people with SAD.” -Catherine Zandonella in DailyMail.co.uk

Even our carbohydrate cravings and weight gain in winter may be because we’re in hibernation mode.

So those of us who have winter blues may have bodies & brains that give us signals that it’s time to hibernate each winter.

What if you heeded that message? What would that look like in your world, today?

“What if we indulged our inclination to slow down in winter? We’d sleep more and demand less from ourselves. We’d be more inward and reflective.”
-Carol Venolia at MotherEarthLiving.com

If you are a homeschooling mom like me, it may be easier to schedule in this time for rest than it would be for a full-time CEO or say, a congressman.

But if that is what we are being called to do, by winter blues or seasonal affective disorder, then no matter how impossible it seems, our wellbeing may depend on finding a way to answer that call. Make yourself a cup of tea, light a candle and give some thought to how you might be able to carve out this time and space for yourself.

To sleep more, to slow things down, to read and watch movies and curl up by the fire. To lean into the curve, where winter’s concerned.

If you’d like some help with finding a way to do it, click here to schedule a session with me and we’ll talk it through together.
 

For the next few days, I'll let you know what we'll be diving into this month from our comfy chairs. Even if it's a quieter month, I'll be here with you.

And I really would like to know how you're doing. Are you putting your winter plan into place? How's it going?

Let me know. See you tomorrow!

Love, Jeanine