Wintering: What Nature Teaches About Rest

Every year the trees let go.

The ground grows quiet.

The river slows its song.

This stillness of nature in winter may look like death, but it’s preparation.

Ayurveda calls this ritucharya: living in rhythm with the season, knowing rest is the root of renewal.

I used to fight winter.

Forced myself into summer speed, bright lights, endless output. And every time, my body burned out. But when I finally leaned into the slower pace (warm foods, earlier nights, more blankets than plans) I felt something I hadn’t in years: deep exhale.

Practice: choose one evening this week to embrace winter. Dim the lights, sip warm tea, and do less. Call it medicine, not laziness.

Nature is unapologetic about rest. Maybe we should be too.

Here to get well :)

Love, Meg