Winter Blues....

February 19, 2021

Even though the sun is brighter and stronger, even though the days are somewhat longer we are still at the halfway mark. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is prevalent at this time of year. If you are like me, being very affected by this challenging behaviour can be exhausting. Self-compassion is most relevant here. And I know that self-compassion is hard to give ourselves and hard for us to learn how to do this action of kindness towards self. Here’s my little tidbit.

I have found my routine that supports me. It’s not always that easy but when I align with it, it works better. I don’t have the energy that sustains me all day so I need to think of my days in bits. I wake up with a bit less zeal, but I love the morning sunrise and take it in with gratitude. I take special quiet time and just look outside and take in the in the experience to appreciate. Following, I practice my energetic pranayama (breathing practice) to pump my system up. Some days I do a yoga practice and other days I do an exercise routine. Half way during the day my energy drops. I then start looking for that energy by seeking food as energy fuel. Oooops, a really good mindful experience indicator that I need to listen to what I need. My best ally is going outside. And I have to pick the right time as the sun is limited. My energy picks up again as soon as I breathe deeper in the fresh air and the sun hits my eyes. Even when the sun is scarces studies show that we still get benefits of that vit.D. I get a boost for the last part of my day. At other times, some of us will benefit from a short nap.

OMG a nap! Can we really allow ourselves a nap? What are our beliefs around naps?
Studies show the benefits of napping. Napping offers various benefits for healthy adults, including:
Relaxation
Reduced fatigue
Increased alertness
Improved mood
Improved performance, including quicker reaction time and better memory.
You may have to adjust your timing for your nap or the length of the nap. Each one of us has different needs. This is taking care of your needs, your way. See the article below from the Mayo clinic NIH.
Take a Nap

The yogic approach to nap is Yoga Nidra or yogic sleep. Yoga Nidra holds huge potential for physiological regulation and psychological integration – especially if it is created and delivered from a neurologically informed place. I love yoga nidra because it does bring me at a deep level of my awareness and needs. Also I don’t get up groggy, and I feel more energized. I was taught that a 20 min yoga nidra is equivalent to a 2 hr nap. Just stop, lay down on the floor, legs elevated over the sofa and breathe. Enjoy this short practice and let it take you away from doing and move into being allowing you to regulate your needs. Here is a practice from the Amrit Institute.
Yoga Nidra