If you were to leave New York right now and go to the country, chances are you would not see many animals. The image that comes to mind year after year: A bear climbing into her cave and not coming out for a few months. She falls into a deep, delicious sleep, otherwise known as hibernation.
We are animals, too. These winter months lend themselves to retreating from the world. As much as we would like to curl up and put up our email vacation response from January to March, most of us live our lives during a day in February as we would in April. We would neglect our commitments to work, family, friends, and school if we decided to “check out” for the winter.
Because our natural world is withdrawing, our own natural rhythms can get a bit confused. The trick is finding the balance between slowing down to honor inner hibernation mode and staying active to avoid succumbing to the winter blues.
This time of year is for reflection and turning inwards. Take a day or two to stay home, make a pot of soup, cuddle up with a book, and have your journal handy. Sleep more and allow your body to recuperate from the constant movement of fall and the holiday season. But mind the extreme. After your mini-staycation, meet up with friends for a movie or go out dancing. Try not to pull an all-nighter because your body can’t handle it—do a bit and then go home. Moderation is key!
Our lives usually don’t slow down during this time of year, and a big reason why we get sick is because we are pushing ourselves to (again!) accomplish the same things we did in April. It’s colder and therefore our bodies have a harder time fighting off viruses and our immunity weakens. So maybe the after-work happy hours can be replaced with after-work yoga classes or a trip to the museum. Instead of bottle of wine with dinner, maybe just half.
Set your Kayak.com trip alert to warm places like Mexico or Florida, and if there is a deal you can’t pass up, go away for a couple of days and enjoy some good old fashioned sun and vitamin D. Fill up on this essential vitamin to not only combat weakened immunity but lighten your mood.
As New Yorkers, we are forced to interact with the weather elements head on. As the rest of the country defrosts their car windows before they hit the road, we are doing the check list of “gloves, scarf, hat, maybe face mask today???” We incur a lot of stress with our hustle and bustle, especially our commuting reality. When our bodies can’t handle stress anymore, we get sick. I like to make an upbeat/hip-hop/disco playlist for the beginning of the day to get me going and a soothing classical playlist for the ride home.
We have opened it up to our Park Slope Reader community by asking, “What is one thing you do to stay healthy in the winter?” My biggest tip: take time for yourself, but don’t fall into a routine of isolation. By being around other people, they will usually lift up your spirits. Staying creative is an important remedy the winter blues, and one these ‘tricks’ may be the missing link to keep you healthy and happy! Enjoy!
I amp up my use of spices and hot sauces. I have no dog-eared scientific study under my arm to back me up, but it makes sense to me to keep the internal body temperature up by using any means available. I also try to go to a sauna once a week and I wear a hat around the house. Oh, and I wash my hands more. And I kiss people less… just a little less. — Melanie H.
Take apple cider vinegar baths and do wheat grass shots! — Sue K.
Avoid children. Just kidding!! Take vitamin D, get exercise, and wash my hands often. — Michael H.
Wear lots of layers, wear a hat, take baths, intake lots of good oils for my dry skin, put lots of oil on my dry skin, eat a bit more hearty, enjoy resting/hibernation, take extra vitamin D supplements, try to focus on creative projects and art I can do at home, stretch, be romantic! — Rebecca C.
I sleep longer in the winter. Also, a humidifier is imperative. And cook with lots of garlic! — Jessy S.
Since I can not stand running in the cold I take my quest for wellness inside in colder months and practice yoga. My favorite local studio is Bend & Bloom where I take advanced classes to get my heart rate up and build strength or, if I’m not up for a vigorous flow, I return to Basics where they focus on alignment and the foundational poses. For mental health and a burst of energy I also love their Restorative class on Sunday night! Yoga is a great way to keep fit and feel amazing through the creaky, cold months and Park Slope has tons of yoga options. — Brigitte M.
I think it’s important to exercise even though it’s so difficult to get out of the apartment. I can’t forget to physically take care of my body because it’s so much easier to stay home and stuff my face with food. — Adam S.
Take Echinacea daily. — Lois A.
Wash your hands before meals. To relieve symptoms such as congestion, I make a tea with Korean ginseng, dates, and honey.— Yunhee P.
Rooibos tea saves me in the winter. It has about 5 times more antioxidants than green tea. — Diana A.
Wear bright warming colors, snuggle a lot, wear hats, avoid raw vegetables.— Meghan K.
Drink lots of homemade broths. — Ronna W.
Keep my hands clean, lots of vitamin C, flu shot and crossing my fingers for luck! — Donna P.
I purchase and refill liter and a half bottles of water. When it’s cold outside, I never feel the urge to drink; having a bottle that shows me my allotted amount for the day gives me the motivation to stay hydrated. — Nicole C.
Large wheatgrass shot every day. And plenty of red wine 😉 Seriously tho: healthy cocktail… Mix SWITCHEL with vodka or tequila, lots of fresh lime juice…voila!…healthy cocktail! — Rachael O.