By Schuyler Corrigan

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January 8, 2024

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There is a comfort in the predictability of every seasonal shift. Throughout the year we can expect the same cycle of familiar holidays, academic calendars, birthdays, or family celebrations, and truth be told the predictability of events and seasonal changes can perhaps feel either exciting or a little tiring. During the new year, there is often an onslaught of media that encourages the “new year, new you” behavior that always seems to require sweeping resolutions and habit changes, or expensive (short-term) detoxes and cleanses. This may indeed be a time for reflection on your year to gain clarity around some new goals or shifts you would like to make, and we would love to offer some encouragement on how to do this mindfully and sustainably for this new year. 

 

Read More: Detoxification – What is Means and why COLOR Matters

Winter is a Time of Reflection

Winter is a season of inward reflection. Of resting, nourishing, hibernating, slowing down, and taking some pause. We can see this in every corner of nature – the trees are resting, the land is quiet, the colors are a little less vibrant, and the cold air encourages us to sip on warmth and bundle in our homes. This is, energetically speaking, not an ideal time to go head first into grandiose lifestyle changes or major overhauls to our body or diets. Instead, sink into the reflective offering of the winter season and dig deep into the core of the changes you are really feeling moved to make. Take care of your mental health, gentle exercise, sleep routines, and small moments of comfort. These seemingly small parts of your daily routine are big foundations for bigger changes you may be wanting to make later in the year. 

 

Read More: Mental Health Support in Winter 

Small is Sustainable

Small pieces make up a much larger puzzle when we can stick with them. Some of the most basic and simple parts of a healthy lifestyle can easily be overlooked when thinking they are too simple to make any difference. However, we always need a strong foundation before we can build anything that lasts. Small, daily habits like drinking enough water, taking a walk outside, devoting time for quality sleep, reducing screen time, or even having meaningful connections each day are essential for our long-term health and wellness. Try to pick a few of these to incorporate into your daily routines this season and make them habits. 

 

Acknowledge Your Behaviors

On making any changes in our routines, habits, or behaviors, we should be honest with ourselves about how and why we may not follow through on things. You know your body better than anyone else, and before you make a new goal or challenge for yourself, reflect back on when you may have tried something like this before, and why you were either successful or unsuccessful. Take a good hard look at what works well for you and what doesn’t, and how it is possible to improve a behavior. What challenges or obstacles may be in your way, If you need to implement extra help for you to follow through to make yourself more successful, do so. 

From all of the folks here at RNM, we wish you a peaceful and joyful new year. Our practitioners are here to support you in your health and wellness goals throughout the year and are always here to answer any questions you have. Please be in touch, and we hope to see you soon!