The Art of Living Seasonally

Did you know that over time, humans evolved to nourish with food during the day and to sleep at night as a matter of survival? Every living thing is affected by light-dark cycles. We have biological clocks in each one of our cells. 

You are a Circadian Being

What does circadian mean? You can think of it as a rhythm, force of nature, or simply a clock or timekeeper. Following a 24 Hour Circadian Rhythm, our biology ebbs and flows depending on the level of light and darkness. Each organ or organ system has a period of maximum and minimum activity. 

Often we separate ourselves from nature, but, we are in fact an expression of nature. Our body, mind, and spirit reflect the seasons, night and day, the sun and the moon. Ancient cultures knew that as the day melts into night and when seasons change, so should we; match our nature with nature for optimal health. When our relationship to this rhythm is altered, we are vulnerable to disease and our literal biology is thrown off. 

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Two Time Keepers

For optimum health, we have times that our bodies thrive on activity and other times where it’s essential to rest and recover. For vitality, one must learn to gauge one’s own level of health in relation to the natural world. Internal environment (anatomy, cycles, emotions) interacts and is very much influenced by the external environment (climate, geography, seasons).

Our Inner Landscape mirrors the world around us and vise versa. 

For those of us that menstruate, we also have what’s called an Infradian Rhythm. It’s like your second clock. Just as the circadian rhythm follows a 24 Hour Clock, our Infradian Rhythm cycles every month or so and regulates our menstrual cycle. So, we have a daily rhythm AND a monthly rhythm. We are influenced by inner and outer seasons. You can read more about the inner seasons of your menstrual cycle in our Embodied Menstruation blog post here.

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Simple Steps to Align To Seasonal Cycles

• Solidify Family Traditions and Seasonal Celebrations. Mark them on your calendars!

• Shift your lifestyle and diet according to the seasons. Are you eating seasonal foods? Are you embracing the beauty of each distinct season? 

• As often as you can, go outside or look outside to see what nature is up to. Then, reflect to see how you are doing in relation to it. Does it feel aligned? Does it feel off? Just observe. The simple act of noticing is profound. 

Below are some general guidelines to understand each individual season according to Chinese Medicine. It’s also important to note that the seasons don’t drastically change from one to another quickly, but rather there’s a transition period between each where the seasons almost melt into each other. This transition time is called the Doyo period. According to our elders, we are most vulnerable during these seasonal transitions. It’s recommended that you take special care of yourself (especially digestion) during the Doyo periods to avoid disease. 

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Winter

Winter is for closure and preservation. It’s a time to conceal and protect our Jing/Essence. Winter signifies the utmost Yin and is associated with darkness, inwardness, and slowing down to rest and restore. One becomes more receptive, introspective, and storage-oriented in winter.

Nourishment 

Salty and bitter foods are appropriate for winter. These foods promote sinking and centering which heightens the body's storage capacity. These foods also cool the outside of the body to bring body heat deeper and lower. Seasonal bitter foods would include turnips, brussels sprouts, rye, oats, burdock, quinoa and amaranth. Some salty foods include miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, millet, barley, and salt. Practice moderation. Focus on these flavors but in relation to all the flavors. 

Activities 

• Qigong

• Restorative Yoga

• Yin Yoga

• Gentle movements

• Meditation

Lifestyle

• Keep warm; wear a hat or cover your head when going outside

• Moderate your energy and chose more Yin based activities

• Rest more, sleep earlier and wake up later

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Spring

Spring is the time when we emerge from a long period of hibernation. We have the strength to do so from our winter warmth, reservation and deep nourishment. This shift requires energy and force. This is the season of renewal. We slowly move from indoors to outdoors and clear ourselves of some “winter weight” (mentally and physically). For those of us who menstruate, this season is associated with your Pre-Ovulation Phase.

Nourishment 

Light fresh foods with pungent and sweet flavors that tend to the liver and gallbladder are in season. Foods that promote upward and outward movement to help us move into the Spring season and cleanse the heavier foods of winter. Some examples of foods & spices would be arugula, dandelion, radishes, sweet peas, fresh greens, carrots, beets, basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, dill and bay leaves. 

Activities 

• Gradually add more movement to your routine just as a bear cub coming out of hibernation 

• Rise early with the Sun

• Warm-up sequences easing into mild cardio exercises & stretching

• Start to do more outdoor activities

Lifestyle

• Earthing (bare feet on the earth)

• Get your hands dirty; try gardening

• Wear scarves and still try to avoid drafts and cold

• Organize and map out inspirations; take pictures in and of nature

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Summer

The young wood energy of spring expands to its maximum potential into the full bloom of the Fire season; Summer! This is Ultimate Yang. This is a time for expansion, growth, lightness, outward activity, brightness, and creativity. This is the time for work, play, travel, and the expression of joy towards the bounty of the world around us. 

Nourishment 

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are your best friends during summer. Since this season offers abundant variety, your diet should reflect this. Salads, sprouts, fruit, cucumber, tofu, watermelon, and lemons offer a cooling effect on the hottest of days. Also, dispersing & hot-flavored spices such as hot peppers, ginger and horseradish will bring your body heat to the surface so you are less affected by the external heat. 

Activities 

• Cardio

• Dance

• Move your body!

• Hold gatherings

This is your peak season. Use your Energy!

Lifestyle

• Manifest projects that were seeding and budding in previous seasons

• Go outside, get together with friends

• Cultivate your relationships

• Connect with loved ones

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Autumn

It’s time for harvest and to gather the best of what we’ve gained during the fruitful Summer. This is the time when we gently start to pull inward again. This is the season of letting go and calls upon the contracting nature of the Metal Element. Everything in nature contracts and brings its essence inwards and downward to prepare for the stillness of winter. 

Nourishment 

Our foods should be cooked, warmer, baked and sauteed. To begin the process of contraction, add more sour flavored foods to your diet such as sourdough bread, sauerkraut, olives, pickles, leaks, adzuki beans, plums, apples and grapes. Cook with less water at a low heat for longer periods of time. 

Activities 

• Keep moving but with less intensity overall

• Long walks

• Long yoga sequences that focus on flexibility and breath

Lifestyle 

• Clarify your needs

• Shift your energy inwards

• What needs letting go?

If you’re seeking seasonal guidance that intersects with reproductive wellness and musings on the womb continuum, sign up for our newsletter. I, along with some friends are in the visioning process of a mentorship that will be birthed in the coming months. Deep bows & blessings, Kris