"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness"
John Steinbeck
January is prime time for pressing pause. Contrary to popular belief, however, January is not the month to detox.
Let me clarify.
đ thumbs up to cleaner living and a more ânormalâ routine after the juggernaut that is December. Ideally, clean living happens year round, but if, like me, you are only human, and the holidays were a bacchanal of excess, you may need a reset.
Deep winter is the season to NOURISH yourself.
Gently, and with plenty of compassion.
Rather than detoxing with juices and fasts, itâs a time to be kind to yourself.
There will be plenty of time for detoxing in the spring, when the rhythms of the seasons align with your bodyâs natural desire to shake off the cobwebs and get things moving again.
Winter is hibernation season in the animal kingdom, and we often forget we are animals. Itâs a time of going inward, of rest, contemplation, dreaming, and crucially, a time to give yourself some extra self-care.
Self-care doesnât have to be expensive or complicated. It can be as simple as getting more rest, eating well, and cutting yourself some slack in the scheduling department (hint: do less).
Try some or all of these gentle supports to make your January healthy and happy.
Get enough sleep.
Sleep, sleep, sleep! This is your number one way to stay healthy, and itâs completely free. To get a great nightâs slumber,
avoid caffeine after noon
get fresh air and exercise every day
avoid the news or âthrillerâ entertainment at least two hours before bed
read an old fashioned book in bed before lights out
keep your sleeping space electronic-free, dark, and quiet
if your mind is a hamster on a wheel, try box breathing (breath in deeply for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, breathe out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, repeat for 4 minutes)
if your mind is a hamster on a wheel, combine deep breathing with meditation
if your mind is still a hamster on a wheel, try Rescue Remedy Night and consider what needs to come off your plate
Get outside.
Itâs all too easy to curl up on the couch and avoid winter weather altogether.
Fresh air will help your immunity, your mood, and your sleep. Break out your long johns, tuque, mittens, and serious boots, and dive into the great outdoors. The moment I stopped caring how I looked in winter was the moment my winters became much more enjoyable.
Drink chai tea.
Now that youâve been outside, youâve earned a warm cuppa. Hereâs the recipe for a delicious chai tea (for a caffeinated version, simply add loose black tea). The ingredients will warm and nourish you from the inside out.
Combine with a good book for best results!
1/2 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
2 star anise pods
1 teaspoon whole cardamom pods, crushed
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1-2 pieces fresh sliced ginger
sprinkle of ground nutmeg
plant-based milk of your choice to taste (more for a latte)
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan with 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy.
Splurge on good books.
If you were holding off on that hardcover, nowâs the time to treat yourself. Stock up on all the tomes that will keep you happy while you cocoon.
Eat warming foods.
First, eat warm-in-temperature foods. Second, double down and eat energetically warm foods. Namely, root vegetables, spices such as garlic and ginger, a moderate amount of animal protein, soups, stews, and hearty fare.
Try this recipe for lemon seasoned roast chicken (heads up, leftovers make a beautiful and soup).
For a Jedi-level winter tonic to keep you strong and healthy, make your own bone broth. Bursting with minerals and immune-boosting nutrients, this will keep you strong as an ox.
Take a bath.
Donât underestimate the healing power of a simple hot bath. Buy yourself a quality mineral soak or epsom salts, light a candle, play some music, and float to your heartâs content.
In the absence of a tub, a hot shower can be transformed into a spa with a brick of great soap and shower steamers.
Take a bath, executive version.
Up-level your bathing experience with a mineral float tank. Initially, I was skeptical about climbing into a pod-like tub and lying there for an hour. Couldnât I just do this at home?
That was before I fell asleep, floating blissfully in a giant egg, surrounded by the sound of crashing ocean waves. Because of the sky-high mineral content of the water, floating is effortless. With a room of your own, no bathing suit is required (in fact, nudity is recommended for full mineral absorption).
You will never, ever sleep better than after this experience. Itâs worth every penny - and itâs January, babe. Just do it.
my friend Shereen found the float tank so transformative she became the poster girl for the experience!
Buy some great chocolate.
Have I mentioned itâs time to be good to yourself??
Loved this article - it makes so much sense!!! Do you happen to know if there is a Float Centre in Montreal?