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
