December 2006 Issue
Dear Reader,
Nature designed winter to be a time of rest and replenishment. Days are short, nights are dark and temperatures are dropping. Animals hibernate and plants and trees rest after their growing season. Yet oddly, human actions seem to fall out of pace with nature's rhythm around this time.
Instead of turning inwards and getting rest, we shop, travel, eat, drink and party from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. This puts us out of synch with winter's restorative energy. By the time the holidays are over, many people are exhausted, stressed or depressed, and dealing with colds and flu. Does this sound familiar?
I encourage you to make a plan for how to stay balanced in December, in order to be healthy and vital throughout the winter. You don't need to get swept up in the holiday chaos. Instead, use your creativity and intelligence to figure out how to do things differently this year. Try asking for wellness gifts like a massage, facial or yoga classes. Or reduce stress for yourself and loved ones by not exchanging gifts but simply coming together for good food and conversation. You could take a cue from the animal world and stay warm by traveling south or cuddling up with the people you love. Perhaps you need more sleep, more hearty foods, time alone or a vacation.
Your body loves you and does all it can to keep you alive and enjoying life. Please do whatever you can to take care of your body in return. Enjoying the holidays is a fun and important social ritual. However, you can do this in a way that supports your health. Experiment with going gently and respecting the season. By making time to slow down and care for yourself now, you can start the New Year full of energy and vitality, ready to make your dreams come true.
Wishing you a happy, peaceful holiday season,
Joshua Rosenthal,
MScEd
Founder and Director
