We took a few weeks off from writing and posting at 3mph.org to celebrate the arrival of Winter. It arrived, and now that it’s here, we aren’t all that happy about it. Everything slows down or hibernates during the Winter. The sun heads off to the Southern Hemisphere, and we can’t get past the idea that we should do the same. Wouldn’t Costa Rica be awesome right now?
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”– Albert Camus
The older we get, the less we appreciate Winter. We loved it when Winter showed up and turned the mountains white with snow back when we were youngsters, sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing were so much fun. Now, the idea of donning three or four layers of clothing to enjoy the beauty of nature seems like more work than fun.
Perhaps the Bears have the right idea. Eat until your stomach is ready to explode through the fall, and then hibernate for the winter, hunkered down in a warm den. We seem to have more in common with birds, though (snowbirds), when it gets cold up North, they pack up and head for Southern Climes. That’s what we like to do, but we decided to hang out on the High Plains this year and get back in touch with Winter.
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” – Aristotle
Winter is scheduled to be in full force in a few days with subzero temperatures, wind, and snow. Weather so shitty that it’s hard to muster the energy to go outside – hibernation weather for sure. When nature goes to sleep for a season, doesn’t it make sense to follow instead of fight with her? Anyway, that’s our excuse.
The transition into Winter drives numerous physiological changes. In the animal kingdom, there is a mad dash to procreate as Fall turns to Winter. Humans seem to spend a lot of time in the bedroom during the cold months of Winter, too. Nine out of the top ten birthdays fall around the same time – about nine months after Winter gets its groove on.
When temperatures head south in Winter, health problems arise. Cold weather creates numerous risks, especially for seniors. Folks spend more time inside in close contact with each other, which means they are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses like the flu, coughs, and colds. Cold weather also acts as a vasoconstrictor, narrowing blood vessels and raising the risk of heart attack and frostbite.
With the dark days of Winter, the level of our “happy hormone” serotonin drops, causing the wintertime blues, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Cortisol production is also disrupted by darkness, leading to tiredness and fatigue. These metabolic changes shift your body into conservation (hibernation) mode, storing extra fat. And you thought it was all the Christmas cookies;>) What drives me crazy, though, is my cracked, dry skin as the cold, dry air sucks all the moisture out.
Enough about the cold and darkness. What can we do to beat back the Blues?
- Routine
- Go to bed and get up at the same time every day to keep your Circadian rhythm in tune. Cleanliness is next to Godliness – Keep yourself and your environment clean. Greet the sunrise every morning, and stop eating at least three hours before bed.
- Sunshine
- Soak up as much sun on as much skin as possible. I have a little nook on the south side of the cottage to escape the wind, where I sunbathe whenever the temperature is above freezing. If you can’t get outside, red light therapy can help.
- Get Outside
- There is no substitute for clean, fresh air. Take a walk as often as possible.
- Exercise
- The best medicine for winter lethargy is exercise. Get your butt to the gym, take a walk, ski, hike or run. Exercise your mind, get creative, make something, bake something. Have fun.
- Moisturizer
- Get a high-quality moisturizer and use it. I like lanolin, it’s completely natural, seals the skin, and lasts a long time.
- Food
- More protein, less carbs. Eat foods naturally high in vitamin D.
“Winter is the time of sacred balance and rejuvenation of life in preparation for the coming spring.” – Jack Kornfield