Resting & Digesting

We hear a lot about how winter is a time for slowing down and resting, a quiet period known for its calmness and inactivity. As humans with busy lives, we often tend to battle this slow time by ramping up our workload and physical activity, increasing our caffeine intake, and ignoring the very fundamental principles that make up winter, ignoring our body's innate need for restoring and rejuvenating.

How often do you find yourself feeling more tired or sluggish than usual during the winter season? And how often do you think it's just a product of laziness, that you should find a way to combat your body's urge to relax?

The idea of actually giving our body the time and rest that it needs has become such a foreign concept, but it's one that is so essential and crucial to our wellbeing. Winter literally gives us that time - the short days, colder weather, and bare scenery make it the perfect time to focus more on ourselves - on what's inside - rather than what's going on in the outside world.

A lot of it simply comes down to the way our bodies work. First, there's the concept of our biological clocks, and more specifically, our circadian rhythm. This part of the body is mainly controlled by the pineal gland, located deep within the brain, right above the optic (eye) nerve. It's what puts us on the typical schedule of sleeping at night and being awake and active during the day. When there is less light - such as during the winter months - the pineal gland produces more melatonin, and more melatonin makes us get drowsy and sleepy. It's our bodies own, natural way of telling us that it's ok slow down and to rest. How cool is that?!

The second part involves the autonomic (self-regulated) portion of our peripheral nervous system. There are two parts to the autonomic system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic part kicks in when we are introduced to any type of stressor, and it is often recognized as our "fight or flight" response. The parasympathetic part is at the other end of the spectrum, taking care of the "rest and digest" part of our lives. When we are constantly on the go and overexerting ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally, our sympathetic system gets overtaxed, which has a direct affect on our adrenal glands (think: adrenaline).

Overstimulation of the adrenals can lead a whole host of issues, ranging from fatigue and burnout to severe health complications. This is why it is so crucial that we make sure to tap into our parasympathetic nervous systems every once in a while – to truly “rest and digest” and give our bodies a break.

So what are some ways that we can slow down and take it easy in order to rest, digest, and restore ourselves this winter? For starters, the simple act of just taking the time to relax each day – even for just a few minutes – can give your body the reprieve it needs. You can use this time to meditate, read, stretch, talk a walk – whatever it is that gives you peace of mind.

Another (and possibly bit harder) step to take is to limit the amount of caffeine you are consuming. Studies show that caffeine has a similar effect on our adrenal glands as stress, causing them to work hard and become easily exhausted. Other not so desirable effects include increased blood pressure, blood sugar swings, and gastrointestinal problems. Now of course most things are fine in moderation - a small amount of caffeine every once in a while can be just the boost you need! But think about the amount of caffeine we ingest regularly – Americans alone consume over 4 million cups of coffee every day. So maybe reach for some green tea instead of coffee next time you need a pick-me-up – it’s warming and full of antioxidants, but still gives you a small dose of caffeine to keep you going without being nearly as taxing on your body as coffee can be.

Lastly, try to keep an eye on what you eat. Winter is often associated with the holidays, which in turn is associated with lots of heavy, rich food, which can leave you feeling weighted down and tired. Seeing as the winter season itself leaves you feeling this way, the last thing you want is for what you eat to exacerbate it! So if you’re craving something filling, go for items such as hearty soups, root vegetables, and whole grains. Rich, deep spices like cumin, ginger, and cinnamon can add a subtle warmth to most any dish and tend to go well with many winter foods. Avoid salads and cold foods as much as possible, as it will only leave you feeling cold, as well – not ideal in winter!

If you remember one thing above all else, remember to listen to your body. And while we should heed this advice year round, it is of utmost importance in the winter when the days are particularly cold and short. Give your body the break that it both needs and deserves – you’ll likely find that you will endure the season not only feeling better, but with more energy and vitality as well! 

On Being Healthy

Isn’t that something we all strive for, to be healthy? We eat right, take our vitamins, work out – but yet, something doesn’t always click. On paper, we can sound like incredibly healthy individuals, but in actuality, we still might not feel our best. Something’s still missing.

Health, in its simplest terms, can be defined as “the state of being free from illness or injury”. It’s a term that we’re all familiar with, but also one that comes with a fair amount of ambiguity. What does it actually mean to be healthy? And what does being healthy mean to you?

Think of all the different ways we use the term healthy: we wish to eat healthy, strive to have a healthy body, work to have healthy relationships, try to keep our bodies and immune system healthy.  The term clearly encompasses a whole lot more than just what we put into our bodies and how free of disease we may be – health should, and does, encompass our whole lives.

What about having a healthy career? Or a healthy form of spirituality or meditation? What if what we put into our bodies – what we think of as our main source of nutrition – is actually secondary to all those other things going on in our life?

Think about when you were a child, engrossed in playtime out doors. Your parents called you in for dinner, but you weren’t hungry – you were high on life, and that was fueling you through the day. Or what about a time when you were passionately in love – when all you wanted was to be with the other person all day and all night, and time seemed to disappear.

Sometimes it’s not the food, but the energy in our lives that feeds us.

A good way to look at this is by saying that these things – our relationships, career, physical activity, and spirituality – serve as our primary foods in life. If you can be happy and healthy in these areas, what you actually put into your body becomes second nature, a whole lot easier, and a whole lot healthier.  In turn, our whole body functions better.

It kind of makes sense, don’t you think? To be healthy, we need to be happy.  Not just with certain parts of our lives, but with as much of it as possible. Sure, it takes a bit of work, but it also has a domino effect – small successes in one path can lead to even bigger successes in another.

The best part about all of this is that your health and your happiness are unique to you. What works for you and makes you tick may not work for the person next to you. It’s so important to explore these things in life, to experience different careers, relationships, exercise, and spirituality. Find your groove and be healthy!