5 Ways to Reset During Your Winter Season

Definition of Reset:

Verb

To set again or anew

Winter is all about the old dying off, the animals going through hibernation, and the world ending their day a bit earlier each day to have more rest. As a child, I used to hate winter because it always seemed like bedtime came so much earlier. It was like my playtime got caught short as it started to get dark right at 6 every night. Now, I have the opposite problem of fighting off sleep at 6 because my body feels like I should be in bed because it is so dark outside.

It took me a while to realize there is a winter season in life as there is one on earth. At some point, you need to take a moment to rest, reset and reflect in order to keep moving forward. I learned the hard way a couple of times and end up sick or unable to do anything but sleep. It was never fun to feel like you have stopped in your tracks and didn’t know when you would be able to physically and mentally be able to pick back up. So for me, the winter season doesn’t only happen during the actual season only during the year, I have to take time to rest throughout the year so I tend to toggle between “seasons” of life quite often.

The Winter season in life is different from the winter season on earth

During this winter season, I have been about reflecting and resetting to be ready to tackle new projects at work & at home. Some of the ways I reset during my winter season

5 Ways to Reset

1. Resting A LOT – regardless of my schedule, I try to sleep as much as possible. It allows my body to recuperate from all the movement, gives my brain a mental break, and allows me to slow down. Sometimes this makes me feel like I am missing out on the day but I benefit from it in the long end. So if that means I need to take a nap or go to bed as early as 8 pm, I do so.
2. Spending Alone Time – Yes, I get some alone time during this season of rest. It helps me figure out where my emotions are at the beginning of the day, slow down my reactions or just wind down. I don’t tend to schedule this time but I do make sure I have at least 5 minutes to myself each day. You can also use this time to meditate or do some breath work as well
3. Self-Help Books – this is also the time I take to read at least 1 self-help book of the year. This helps me with the reflection portion of the season. I can be intentional about using the information I am reading slowing down and reflecting and being deliberate on if all of the information I am reading is needed at this point in time or if I need to revisit it later in the year. This book can always be a book you have already read as well, you never know what other items you may learn from it.
4. Journaling is a must – I know, journaling seems the biggest revelation for me but it really does help. It can really be used as a tool to put situations into perspective a tool to review for reflection on how you felt in the past to see what has changed. It is a great tool to use even if you just journal every once in a while.
5. Don’t Feel Like You Have to be Productive – It is okay to start a project but you don’t have to feel pressured to be productive during this season. Take your time and really enjoy your rest. Rest should never feel like a reward and making a season for it or time for it throughout the year can help it feel more like a part of your regular routine.

Really take some time to rest and reset during your winter season, It can really help with your physical and mental health, as well as give you some insight into yourself.