Winter Routines for Self-Care
By Jenn Ryan
Watching the opaque grey-aqua ice waves wiggle & crash against the shores of Lake Michigan & Crystal Lake on these overcast days of late has been unnerving & inspiring simultaneously – walking past the water’s edge, I allow myself a mini mental deep dive meditation of sorts, I look out into the water & envision a crackling fire being tended while friends huddle together before individually cold plunging into the frigid depths – feeling the skin make contact with the bracing temperature, the swift intake of air, perhaps a hoot or holler of sorts, & the settling into the healing benefits of the water – sorting out the breath, finding a sense of place, trusting it won’t last for long, enjoying the process of getting to an acceptable physical realm within the body to allow the healing properties of the cold plunge to overtake before stepping back out into the wintry world, searching for warmth, again exploring the breath, the sensations from head to toe – noticing how alive one can find themselves in the midst of the natural world.
Yes, looking at the frozen, swirling slurry of icy water & slush makes me crave a polar plunge & the ensuing flood of endorphins, clarity, & invigoration. However, it also brings to mind an almost guttural want for the opposite – I close my eyes & imagine our 104-degree hot tub, a steaming hot cup of peppermint tea, soft, fuzzy, cozy blankets, the new robe I was gifted, my slippers. In this moment of reflection looking out into the water beyond the shoreline, I instantaneously shiver, pining for the humidified decadence of a cedar sauna. Staring into the icy undulation, I daydream both types of adventure – filling out the details of this wintry fantasy moment – whether polar plunge, hot dip or sauna, I fancy them being after an exhilarating & earthy snow hike (or downhill sled ride or flatland xc ski) & before the spicy, savory sips of a winter-veggie-forward stew. Mmmm.
Winter self-care by Jenn, on repeat. Sometimes it’s movement or watercolor painting or perhaps from time to time it’s daydreaming & then making those daydreams a part of life.
To this notion of winter-self-care at this very moment, I’d add more sips of hot tea (or coffee depending on time of day), pages of library books turned, stinky invigorating sweats; quiet times observing the snow fall or the birds as they busy themselves eating & flying to & fro...
Slow cooking & preparing soups & baking for sharing. Painting hearts & contemplating poetry.
Stretching out the car ride a bit while navigating ice & snowy paths, being mindful with speed while staying as calm as possible (insert lots of deep yoga breaths!!) clutching the wheel & allowing eyeballs to dart here & there, watching for creatures great & small & cars, trucks, semis as well as the splash of a plow trucks salt-laden, slushy splatter.
Light & dark. Cold & dry. Here & there. Contemplation. Meditation. Do you allow yourself the sweet kindness of self-care in whatever small or large ways you can create in your life routine? Do you adjust these habits seasonally?
Are you listening in?
How have you been going inward, lately? How are those inward visits to the heart/mind space spent?
Long winter hikes? Swishes along your ski path? Tea-laden-sits in a quiet place of your choosing - clearing the mind, opening the heart; remaining open & curious?
Have you been paying attention to all that you may need? Cold, dry, winter air may find you dry, papery, aching for moisture. Consider an Epsom salt bath with some splashes of your favorite skin-safe oil & a few drops of an essential oil of your choosing. Sip throughout the day - teas, perhaps infused with your favorite citrus (citrus season is in full effect; enjoy it while it lasts!), smoothies with a bit of extra something you may need, specifically, nutritionally; bone broth or veggie broth; water, think hydrating foods, beverages & activities.
Spend extra time waking your body up - lubricate your joints from head to toe - stretch, greet with kindness, open, close, receive, provide... Lastly, one more idea I learned from Gina Bria & Dr. Dana Cohen, MD's book Quench a few years ago, grind chia seeds in your spice mill & add a tablespoon to a cup of juice or water in the morning - sip it until it's gone. It's a wonderful way to hydrate even more deeply. Read the book & learn all about the amazing stuff they learned about hydration that simply put, makes so darn much intuitive sense! Whatever winter self-care routines you find yourself practicing, I hope you relish those moments & prioritize them. In my experience, your body, heart & mind will thank you for it! Be well. Sled down that hill. Sign up for the Betsie Bay Frozen 5K coming up in February... join us for a class, a treatment or three. Do something for yourself today!