How To Ease Into Seasonal Transitions With Nourishing Soul And Self Care
Pondering this time of transition from season to season, I can’t help but feel the tension between them within myself.
As midwinter is moving into spring, with the Equinox on March 20, I sense the unsettling time of wanting it to be here already, along with the inner knowing it’s not quite ready.
My friends and I were talking and we agreed that, at this time of year, the soul is craving an outwardly, visually, vibrant environment, while the body is asking for a different type of attention, a deeper cellular nourishment. It seems that our Souls and bodies are desiring a RENEWAL from the “death” of winter, to help move through the rest of the year with more EASE and GRACE. But, in a sustainable way.
The push and pull between the surface needs and depth in physical needs is evident in our entire being as we strive to move forward, but really still want to keep things slow.
This sense of wanting to be balanced in body and soul, is the invitation of the Springtime gateway, as we begin to move forward for the year.
It can be easy, fulfilling, good on the budget, and become a part of our lifestyle in the process.
How do we be in both seasons, the winter AND the spring, while nourishing our bodies and souls at the same time?
Be gentler on the skin.
It IS an ORGAN that protects our internal organs from the outside world. Treat it as you would your heart or kidneys - nourish it, help it to glow. Nourishing our skin during seasonal transitions can be tricky, because our skin is changing to adapt to the changes outside! What to do?
Paying attention to not only what we put INTO our bodies, but also what we put ONTO to our bodies is a nice balance.
If your skin is dry, and you're not on any medication that may make it dry - check your diet first!!! Many times, we aren’t nourishing our bodies cells. We need fats to keep our cells happy, in optimal functioning capacity, and fresh vegetables and water, to stay hydrated. Both are needed for glowing skin.
Moisturize with a really natural product. Even though lotions are going on our skin, remember, it is an organ and products do penetrate into the body through it. It’s best to stay away from creams and lotions that have a high alcohol content in them which is drying, hydrogenated or seed oils, and ingredients your grandmother would not even know what they are! As we take the time to be more aware of ingredients we are also being more conscious of the environment and connecting with the soul of the earth. (hello soul!)
Indulge in the arts.
Look at paintings, read a book (one you can hold in your hand) go to a poetry reading, find some live music, take a dance class…
We experience a greater sense of inner connection as we take in something visually in a quiet atmosphere, listen to live music, move in rhythm with our nervous systems, or experience the vocal cadence of a poetry reading.
And because we are doing something that brings us joy, it also is nourishing our souls.
Bring Lushness inside.
Create an altar to nature in your home.
Find a space in the home that would be nice to see everyday. Maybe a windowsill, or a table when you walk in the door. Begin adding items to this space that remind you of nature in a way that resonates with you. Perhaps a crystal, a rock brought back from somewhere special, maybe some seashells, a found feather, leaves picked up on a walk, a green plant or flowers of some kind.
These items involve us with nature in a very personal, and sensory way. Take this time with nature to indulge the senses; you may be inspired pick up the stones/rocks and feel their weight, look at the beauty of the crystal, smell the flowers or plants there.
These small jewels of nature can lower our blood pressure, quiet our nervous system, and are both a visual and sensory reminder that can also bring a sense of calm and patience to the soul.
Find a spiritual practice.
If you don’t already have a spiritual practice, it’s time to find one that resonates with you.
A spiritual practice is the conscious practice of connecting the divinity within you to the divinity of creation.
Spiritual work supports our energetics and the way we desire to show up in the world. It helps us to embrace cycles of life that we all experience, and assist us in responding to what life brings our way instead of reacting, or getting into our heads with a sense of self-righteousness. If what you practice doesn’t uplift you, but makes you feel a sense of separateness, maybe finding an adjunct to that will help. There’s yoga, spiritual directors, and cyclic living to help bring your body, senses, and soul together for harmony everyday.
As we move forward into the new season ahead, finding balance in ways that support and nurture both our bodies and our souls can help us to feel more connected, aligned, and grounded during the tumultuous “spring fever” energetics that surround us everyday.
Nurturing our senses and soul at the same time can be simple and rewarding as we step into this time of Re Birthing and Transition.