Overwintering
I’m just about to go into my first full Winter back in a temperate zone climate for 21 years. One of the reasons that I left the UK all those years ago, was, ironically, the thought of another British winter.
It’s important for me to spin Winter positively for two reasons. Firstly Winters in Hong Kong are typically lovely; mid-twenties temps, clear skies, no rain, lots of sun. Of course there are a few weeks of cold but frequently it’s just in the morning and evening. Secondly, we are supposed to dread Winters in temperate zones aren’t we?
We are supposed to get all sad and depressed, literally Seasonally Affected Disorder.
But what do I think now, after spending so long in a country that has two-ish seasons? Well, firstly and importantly, my postie thinks that we will have a ‘proper’ winter this year ie cold, because we’ve had defined seasons so far this year, so I'm expecting a 'big' Winter. I am not anti-cold weather, but I am anti being cold and having the wrong clothing, and so I’m addressing the latter as I type.
I think that Winter is a lovely time to get your cosy on. My friend Anna told me about Hygge; she’s lived in Norway so she knows about cold. Hygge (pronounced Hoo-gah) is a Danish word for everyday cosiness, warmth and comfortable conviviality that promotes mental well-being and contentment.
How am I working on my Hygge? Firstly, I’m trying to clear up the bits and bobs that still don’t have a proper home after our container arrived back in May. Also, keeping eyes peeled for items of furniture that will fill up corners. I'm thinking about lighting; candles and lamps are mandatory in Winter, I think. We have log burners, which I love. I’m not sure I would have come back to the UK if we didn’t have at least one! They also reduce your heating bills (as long as you have a decent wood source).
You can’t have hygge if you have dog hair dust bunnies floating around as well, so it’s a good excuse to do an ‘autumn clean’. (Finally, I can see out of my windows again!)
I think it’s also a good time to concentrate on yourself, to go inward, to study, to do ‘indoor tasks’, maybe catch up on sleep- go to bed earlier or nap. Summer is expansive and outdoorsy, Winter is introspective, indoorsy and important for baking!
Baking aside, I think it’s a good time to look at your health. I always tell clients that Winter is the best time to start a new habit or get in the gym. You have a good six months until you’re likely to get legs/ arms/ torso out when you can reveal your newly lean and/ or muscled body, to the gasps of, “What have you been doing this winter?” I mean you have a few choices this winter; the gym, sticky toffee pudding, or rotting on the sofa in front of Traitors. I’d actually like a lot of gym and a little sticky toffee pudd and maybe a little Traitors :-).
The shorter days take some getting used to (especially after teh crazily long days that we get in the UK in the Summer), but I’m not averse. I quite like getting up when it’s dark and watching the sunrise. It makes me feel more productive to be honest. I think it’s rewarding to watch the changes in nature, the trees becoming their naked skeleton selves, the birds happily bobbing about, the bright chilly mornings, the first sprinkles of frost, sleet and snow.
From a wellness perspective, I think it’s important to get outside and get daylight during the Winter days, even if it’s just a walk in the rain at lunch. It helps us I think to develop a positive mental attitude about the shorter darker days. Plus we all need sunshine and sunlight. I also recommend adding longer walks and outdoor activities when clothing, weather or fortitude allows. Who doesnt like getting cold and wet, then coming home and warming up again?
Plus we need a plan. What do you plan to do or achieve over the next few months until Spring? We don’t have to fall into a pit of despair every time the clocks go back, wishing our lives away in the process. We can choose to see opportunity instead of negativity.Sometimes, we need help to develop a plan for our wellbeing.
My plan is to read, plan, work and write (with the odd quiet season visit to local tourist hot posts), plus of course staying on top of those doggy hair dust bunnies, the gym and the pudding!
Ally van de Pol is a Certified, Naturopath, Healing Diets Coach, Iridologist and Herbal Medicine Therapist, as well as a Strength & Conditioning Coach.
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