PART 2: Restoration During Hibernation
In this following section, I provide and overview of positive and negative effects of the winter season. Knowledge is Power and I want to make sure you get as much information so you can have a successful winter season and be ready to thrive for the Spring season! Before you know it, spring will come quickly, and we want to make sure it’s ready and primed to thrive!
For I will provide the weary with all they need, and I will restore the strength of all those who have grown faint with hunger. Jeremiah 31:25
Positive and negative effects of winter
The winter season brings both negative effects to our life and positive effects that we can take advantage during this time. During the “hibernation” season our bodies go through a time of restoration and healing, especially that we just finished the holiday season where perhaps we didn’t make the best choices in eating healthy or drinking. And so here we are in February, where perhaps we feel “off” “sluggish” and “mentally drained” which may be due to the buildup of mucus accumulated in our body; this of course can negatively impact the mind, emotions, and increase the risk of colds, viruses, illnesses, etc. But not to worry, there are good things we can do with intention during this time and we will discuss great options for cleansing and detoxing the body with foods, fluids, supplements and other resources you can try, but first let’s talk a little more on the negative effects in the winter season.
Negative Effects:
- Less Sunlight: in the winter we see a decrease in sunlight and the change of daylight savings time and therefore lose one hour of sleep and sun. By having less sunlight our serotonin levels decrease which can lead to depression, fatigue and mood swings and it can disrupts our sleep cycles which leads to tiredness and difficult waking up.
- Vitamin D Deficiency: because of less sun exposure our body produces less Vitamin D, this is important for bone health, immunity and mood regulation, having low Vitamin D leads to fatigue, depression and a weakened immune system.
- Increased Illnesses: colds, flu and respiratory diseases are prevalent during this time, the sun plays such an important role as it helps to fight of cold and flus, due to the decrease in sunlight this makes it harder for our bodies to fight colds.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: depending on where you live, less movement and exercise may occur during the winter season, either because of snow, too cold, low energy, etc. anyone of these can make it challenging to workout which again can impact fatigue, tiredness, etc.
- Dry Skin / Hair Issues: lack of humidity, cold air outside and heated indoor create a lot of static in your environment and strips moisture from the skin which leads to dryness, irritation and chapped lips. The same goes for your hair and scalp.
Positive Effects
There are great positive effects during the winter season, remember that this is the time for the body to restore and hibernate, let’s look at the things you can do that can positively impact your body, mind and spirit.
- Cleansing and Detoxing the Body: cleansing and detoxing the body, in my opinion, is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially during the winter. There are many benefits internally (intestinal, liver, lungs, etc) and externally (skin, hair, nails, etc) and a great way to detox and get rid of unwanted buildup in your body and prepare you for the Spring season.
- Support your Body with Detox Products and Supplements: our bodies need support from vitamins, minerals and detox products year round, unfortunately many of our natural organic foods may contain herbicides or pesticides that can impact your health, these pesticides can contaminate the organic produce and decrease the natural minerals and vitamins the produce contained. Also, if you tend to eat heavy / processed foods or sodas, high-sugary drinks,; it is important to add vitamins and minerals to your diet. Lastly, during the winter months we are getting less sun light and decreased movement it is that much more important to add supplements in our diet.
- Hearty and Substantive Food Choices During the Winter: there are great hearty food choices you can consume during the winter, this will help you conserve energy, fill fuller, and gives you the vitamins and minerals needed through food.
- Rest / Meditate / Connect with God- Soul and Spirit: one of my favorite things to do year-round, but during the winter, I personally feel I am more intentional; it maybe perhaps that it gets darker quicker and I'm in bed earlier and so i use this time and early morning to connect with God. To find rest in Him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)
- Saunas, Steam and Hot Baths: heat whether via hot baths or saunas is a great way to detox our bodies. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and we detox through sweat; this is why sauna, steam baths or hot baths help detoxing the toxins in our body and also keep our skin moisturized, improved circulation, better sleep, weight loss, metabolism boost, lung health and cardiovascular health.
- Exercise and Movement: Exercise and movement is great year-round, I understand this may be hard during the winter but some form of movement is important, whether it be stretching for 15 min a day or walking for 15 min you can keep the momentum going as the weather and sunlight start to change. Working out supports our immune system, prevents winter weight gain, supports health: lung, cardiovascular, joint pain, circulation, and energy levels.
That's it for today! See you next week as we focus more on Part 3: Cleansing and Detoxing the Body.
¡Una bienvenida oficial al invierno! ¡Para los que viven en el medio oeste o al norte, recientemente pasamos por un invierno intenso y todavía lo que nos falta! ¡Pero en realidad, no es la primera vez que pasamos por esta experiencia ni será el último!
Señor, tu disciplina es buena, porque lleva a la vida y a la salud. ¡Tú restauras mi salud y me permites vivir! Isaías 38:16 NTV
Una Serie de Cinco Partes
Parte 1
En el blog de hoy, quiero dedicar tiempo a hablar sobre la temporada de invierno, lo que trae para tu cuerpo, alma y espíritu, y cómo aprovechar esta estación de hibernación y restauración. En general, la restauración en áreas de cuerpo, alma y espíritu es la oportunidad perfecta para acercarte más espiritualmente y profundizar en lo que el Señor te está hablando. Lo mismo ocurre en el aspecto físico, mental y emocional.
¿Qué es la hibernación?
Es un estado de descanso profundo e inactividad. Algunos sinónimos son retiro, sueño, permanecer en calma, aislarse o guardar silencio.
- En el lado físico, significa sanar, recuperar energía y dormir.
- En el estado mental y emocional, implica alivio del estrés, reinicio emocional, creatividad y enfoque.
- En lo espiritual, representa la renovación de la fe y la sanación del alma.
¿Y qué es la restauración?
Es el proceso de renovación, reparación o reabastecimiento.
Hibernación y restauración están interconectadas. Hibernar también es restaurar. No solo los animales hibernan para conservar energía, reparar sus cuerpos y sobrevivir a condiciones difíciles durante el invierno, sino que los humanos, también conservamos energía y reparamos nuestro cuerpo en esta temporada.
Al observar y meditar tu estado físico, mental y espiritual, ¿te resulta difícil a veces hacer ejercicio? ¿Sientes ganas de quedarte en la cama más horas o todo el día? ¿Prefieres beber algo caliente? ¿Te apetecen caldos o sopas? Todo esto es normal. El cuerpo busca descansar durante los meses de invierno, y es importante aprovechar este tiempo para conservar tu bienestar físico, mental y emocional, y, sobre todo, restaurar tu relación con el Señor. Este tiempo no es una coincidencia y no debe tomarse a la ligera.
Es todo por hoy queridos amigos y amigas....nos vemos en la segunda parte con el blog de Restauración durante La Hibernación.
Coach Rio
Hibernation and Restoration During the Winter
A FIVE-PART SERIES FOR THE WINTER SEASON
An official welcome to winter! For those that live in the Midwest, we recently received an intense ice storm and boy….it was a doozy! But in all truth, there is really nothing new under the sun, this is not the first snow and ice storm we have here and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
However, you, O Lord, are always present to protect me, and you grant life to my spirit; you will restore me to health and enable me to live. Isaiah 38:16
Part 1
In today’s blog, I want to spend time talking about the winter season, what it brings to your body, soul and spirit and how to take advantage of this season of hibernation and restoration. Overall, restoration in each of these areas (body, soul and spirit) is the perfect opportunity to come closer spiritually and go deep into what the Lord is speaking to you, the same goes in the physical, mental and emotional aspect.
So what is hibernation?
It is a state of deep rest and inactivity, some synonyms are retreat, sleep, lie low, seclude oneself, go quiet.
- Focusing on the physical body it means: to heal, recover your energy and sleep.
- In the mental and emotional state, it means stress relief, emotional reset, creativity and focus
- In the Spiritual, it means faith renewal and healing the soul
And what is restoration?
It is the process of renewing, repairing or replenishing.
Both hibernation and restoration are interconnected, to hibernate is also to restore, it’s not just the animals that hibernate to conserve energy, repair their bodies, and survive challenging conditions during the winter but also as humans, we also are conserving energy, repairing our bodies through the winter season.
As you look at your physical and mental and spiritual state; do you find it hard sometimes to work out? Do you just want to stay in bed more hours or all day? Do you prefer to drink something warm or hot? Crave broths or soups? All this is normal, the body wants to rest during the winter months and it's important to use this time to conserve your body, mental and emotional state, especially restore your relationship with the Lord. This time is not a coincidence, and it should not be taken lightly.
Stay tuned for more in our five-part series....
Coach Rio
As I was sitting in silence with the Father, I was asking Him what my next blog post should be. I knew I wanted to talk about health goals since most of us have New Year resolutions and I also wanted to invite Him in and guide me on what the topic should be. When I do this, He always comes through for me and puts a word in my heart, then I listen, discern the message and share it, so others may also receive revelation, knowledge and healing of what God is speaking to them.
And so, I asked: “God what do you want the people to hear about health and healing?”
And I heard “the root cause of disease is the root cause of healing”. And to think I was planning on talking about disease and health (I know, very boring). And as I kept praying, He connected it more deeply by going further and saying: the root cause of health vs root cause of disease are connected to the body, soul, and spirit. You cannot separate them!
In other words, I cannot fix one problem, e.g. health issues and think it will solve or heal the other causes e.g. spirit or soul unless I work towards focus-healing the body, soul and spirit- they are all intertwined. Isn’t that mind-blowing?!?!?! Here is a great verse that confirms His Word:
Beloved ones, with promises like these, and because of our deepest respect and worship of God, we must remove everything from our lives that contaminates body and spirit and continue to complete the development of holiness within us.
Ah! This verse shows me that the body and spirit are connected and the importance of working our way to removing everything that defiles or pollute our body and spirit so we can fulfill the refining / growth / advancement of holiness within us.
Now, not to go off tangent, but what is holiness? I read this from a wonderful lady called Diana Larkin and in her blog God speaks of Holiness as “living in God’s wholeness; where there is nothing missing, nothing broken. It’s opening our heart to His Holiness so He can heal broken areas in our life. Holiness sets us free from rules and regulations, it becomes a living flow from God so we can then experience deep joy in all aspects of life.”
Can you see the connection? Holiness is wholeness – nothing missing, nothing broken meaning all three aspects of body, soul, and spirit need to work in wholeness.
If any of these three are out of alignment, disease becomes prevalent; so being aware, determined, and laser-focused in understanding and getting to the root cause of disease is the beginning of the root cause of healing. God is so good! It’s just mind-blowing how he connects the dots.
Here are some reflective questions, that I hope can get the wheels turning and allow a heart-to-heart moment with yourself and to God. I’ve added biblical verses that confirm and support the messages.
Disease in our Body
- How is your body feeling?
- Is it healthy?
- Is it thriving?
- Is it healing quickly?
- Is it often getting sick?
- Is it riddled with disease and symptoms?
- Is the body functioning good and well regardless of age?
A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression. Proverbs 17:22 TPT
If you look at the biblical verse it is very instructive: if the heart, is joyful and cheerful, then the heart brings healing to the body….and soul. If the heart, lacks these things you start to feel sick and depressed in your mind.
Now in the health and medical field, we know that depression is connected to the brain and recent studies have shown there is a direct connection to your gut and brain. And 70% – 80% of your immune system is found in the gut, and if you have a weak immune system, there is a high probability of sickness and disease. Do you see how this is connected? The body, soul and spirit are one! Even in scripture you can find revelation of the causes of disease today! 🤩
Disease in our Soul (mind, will and emotions)
- Think about how your emotions (good or bad) impact your life
- Do you tend to have negative thinking and emotions, e.g. fear, doubt, unforgiveness, unhealed trauma, shame, anxiety, rage, depression or confusion in your life?
- Do you wake up every morning with joy and thanksgiving?
- Do you have a full surrender and obedience to God?
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7
What is true to your heart (what you believe) is what you think, and you will speak that into existence. The words YOU CHOOSE can be positive or negative and it is critical, to choose life-giving words in you, in others, and in life.(Proverbs 18:21) It is important that you start to reflect on how you handle emotions and your thinking because it allows you to see the areas of opportunity or gaps you have in your life, and the calling you have to change them.
Let’s look at this other verse:
Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so that you will be able to discern the will of GOD and to know what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
A negative mindset, emotions or resolve is another root cause for disease. Our soul needs to be spiritually renewed or reframed or have a purified mindset to God while also seeking discernment of what that means for You in your current situation.
As for discernment, another word can be spiritual insight, revelation, Godly wisdom to know His will; discernment to know what is good; what is acceptable; and what is perfect.
This verse alone talks about the revelation and knowledge when we work towards healing our soul. Our will needs to be His will; our emotions and thinking need to be positive. Once we have discernment or spiritual clarity, we will know what is acceptable and what is perfect – in otherwards, seek holiness so we can be whole.
I can comfortably say, that for most of us our emotions tend to get the better of us. If we were to realize how negative emotions create disease in our life, in fact, I would say one of the major causes for disease we would automatically stop to do a pulse check and see how negative emotions can negatively impact our disease or positively impact our healing– we are being played by the enemy, by keeping us enveloped in our emotions! (I hope to speak about emotions and root cause of disease in a future blog.)
Disease in our Spirit
Being one body and one spirit, as you were called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny. Ephesians 4:4
- How is your spirit doing?
- How is your connection with God,
- What is He speaking to you?
- What has he revealed to you?
Asking yourself these questions allows a true and honest conversation with yourself and hopefully spending time with God brings more spiritual insight. I have found He is a great listener and also loves to talk to you, that is if you are willing to listen! He can heal your spirit and also show you the areas in your life you need help with - it’s time to get real with yourself!
Remember that 2025 is the YEAR YOU COME ALIVE, YOU THRIVE!
And finally, the last scripture:
Proverbs 16:24 TPT
Nothing is more appealing that speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits.
Let these be the last words and verse in your heart that you read, speak beautiful words to yourself, life-giving words to you and others, speak health and healing to your life and others. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you the root cause of dis-ease and then let it be the root cause of your healing. He wants to see you healed because He wants to use you for greater plans He has in store for you.
My final prayer to you:
May the God of Peace Himself, grant you the gift of perfect holiness, and may you- spirit, soul and body – be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessa 5:23
Until next time…
Coach Rio
Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will perform wonderous deed in your midst. Joshua 3:5
Congratulations! For we have made it to 2025- This is the year WE ARRIVE, THRIVE, AND COME ALIVE!!!
As I reflect the year 2024, I will say it has been an interesting year. For sure, many trials and tribulations as perhaps many of you faced in 2024.
Before deciding on writing this blog, I reflected on my 2024 journey - my spiritual growth, emotional, mental, and physical growth and was very intentional in connecting it with GOD.
After all, it really is our walk with God and how we overcome and learn from each one of them that He gives us strength and endurance to overcome but also to know that God never leaves or forsakes us.
In 2024, good and positive things came from this year- some achievements, for example the start of this small business – literally from the ground up but also connecting with family members, knowing who true friends are during the trials and the blessings of family and loved ones in my life.
On the other side, there were hard lessons and trials but in the midst of them, God was there sharpening me with fire- getting me ready for 2025 and showing me areas that I needed to “burn” and shed off my life- in all the 4 facets: spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental. He does not want me or you to stay in the past but to move forward in the present moment- fully living! He allows these things to happen in our life, so He can show us the areas of improvement and burning we need to remove from our life, our habits, our complacency, our lack, etc….
This reminded me of a biblical verse I read this year in 1 Peter 1:2-9; if you get a chance read it but I will focus on verse 6-7.
“This is a reason for you to rejoice, even if now for a little while you must suffer trials of many kinds. 7 Thus, the genuine quality of your faith – which is more valuable than gold that is perishable even if it has been tested by fire – may be proved worthy of praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Personally, this verse rings true especially that the two takeaways for me was: FAITH and FIRE. In early 2024, spending time with God, I asked Him to use me, to teach me, and to show me the areas of weaknesses I had in my life; so it could be consumed and removed from me and the more I asked, the more He humbled me.
He exposed much weakness, revealing a double-minded faith and like the verse says- the genuine quality of your faith- has to be so stronger than gold because in the fire- the gold melts this verse throughout 2024 showed me, my short-comings. When I had trials, my faith crumbled- quickly! And when I thought I was doing better and growing in faith, I was quickly humbled again only exposing more of a double-minded faith.
My whole-hearted intention was to “climb higher” with God, but I realized I was nowhere close. I didn’t have that unshakeable faith I thought I had and when God showed me more areas of weaknesses, it was humbling and very…very hard!
BUT GOD, is a merciful God and although our life is a journey, I choose the journey of “going higher” with Him. I want that unshakeable faith like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had as they went through the fire and they knew that they knew, God was going to pull them through and so they went into the FIRE, as hot as can be, and they came out unscathed- there FAITH in GOD got them through that.
And so, here I am in 2025- not with the unshakeable faith- yet! But working towards it and humbled with an everyday focus and intent to go higher with Him and although tests and trials are inevitable, I choose to believe in His promises - staying close and trusting Him, reading His Word, every morning rejoicing and being thankful on all that He has given me and getting to know His true character by establishing a relationship as Father and daughter- this has helped grow my faith.
His promises and power are true. It’s in HIS WORD! He is faithful to perform His Word. Read Deut 7:9
Therefore, here I come 2025! I’m ready to THRIVE in limitless areas… WHY? Because God is a limitless GOD, He wants us to dream, build, and achieve, to heal and thrive in every aspect of our life. I hope we do this together; this blog post is the beginning of many to come. I will focus on providing information on healing mind, body and spirit so that are bodies can be WHOLE and I hope you join me in this small community and get the information to your loved ones, as well.
He does not want us to have a Spirit of Poverty but a Spirit of Prosperity and Abundance, knowing that He is a good God; always wanting to prosper us.
So in the YEAR OF 2025- WE ARRIVE, WE COME ALIVE, WE THRIVE!
Coach Rio
Copyrighted 2025
