Finding the Light: Nourishing Your Spirit During the Darkest Time of the Year
Dr. Cara Lan, N.D.
As the winter solstice approaches, bringing with it the longest night of the year, the season of darkness can feel quietly lonely and even depressing for many of us. As an introvert, I have historically relished the wintertime–the long nights, quiet stillness, and time to inwardly dwell and reflect. But as I’ve grown older, weighted with responsibilities, disappointments and trials, I’ve found that the darkness can often feel overbearing, anxiety provoking, lonely and sad. I know I’m not alone in grappling with these feelings during this time of year which is why it’s important for us to remember, and focus on, the positive aspects of the darkness. These are some of the ways that I nourish my spirit during the long winter nights. These tips have helped me to foster more emotional resilience, inner warmth, and a reconnection to the light within during the darkest time of year.
Positive Aspects of Winter’s Darkness:
Time for Reflection: The long nights provide ample time and quietude to reflect. They allow for a stillness not otherwise felt during the busier months of the year. In this stillness, you can begin to listen to what your soul may be calling and longing for. If used mindfully, these quiet hours can help you clarify priorities and orient to goals and ideals for the coming year. You can use this time to journal about what matters most to illuminate any changes you’d like to make in the near future.
Cultivating Hygge: Our northern-dwelling friends have much to teach us about cultivating a positive relationship with the dark. Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is one such way of life. In essence, it is the Danish art of coziness– creating soft, warm spaces, eating delicious food and spending quality time with loved ones and/or with oneself. Here are a few basic ideas for cultivating hygge: light some candles, put on your comfiest pajamas, snuggle into soft blankets, use a heating pad to add extra warmth, grab a healthy, yet cozy, snack and snuggle in with a loved one, a good book or a journal for meaningful quality time. Soak up the lovely feelings of winter’s coziness.
Connecting to the Stillness of Nature: One of the things I miss most about living in the Rocky Mountains is the absolute stillness of the Earth and her creatures during and after a snowfall. Okay, the Earth and her creatures are never truly still, are they? But they are much more still when softly blanketed in snow which dampens the noise, hustle and bustle. This type of quiet nourishes the soul in a deep and beautiful way. Even if you don’t live in an area where you can experience the tranquility of snowfall, taking a walk at dawn during the winter months, wherever you live, can also help you connect to a similar stillness and peace.
The Gift of Time (for Soul-Nourishing Activities): Once the holiday parties have waned and the presents have all been opened, many find that the long, dark months ahead offer nothing but dreariness until the first glimmer of spring. This is the time when Seasonal Affective Disorder (a.k.a. the “winter blues”) can be at its heaviest. If you resonate with this, I encourage you to take a new perspective on this dark, uneventful time of year. A more helpful way to reframe this perspective can be to think of it as a gift of time. Time is the most precious resource we have, so what a gift it is indeed. We can use this time to reconnect to a beloved hobby or interest. I’ve found that my desire to paint is much stronger in the winter months and I do my best to actually set out the time to fulfill this need of my soul. If you don’t have a beloved hobby, then I encourage you to do as Elizabeth Gilbert advises and just follow your curiosity. Try out or learn about something that piques your interest. These activities can be deeply nourishing, connecting you to parts of yourself that may get pushed aside during the busier times of the year. Seeing this time as a gift allows us to be grateful for the ability to practice beloved hobbies and/or to learn new things.
Deeper Moments of Prayer and Mediation: The quiet and still time that the darkness affords can also allow us to go inward in a deeper way than in the lighter months of the year. I awaken every morning to total darkness and stillness at 6:00 A.M. I always say a prayer of gratitude for the sleep I just received–no matter if it was a little or a lot, deep or light–a natural gratitude I have after struggling with insomnia for decades during my teens and twenties. This gratitude, combined with the alpha-brainwave state and the darkness and stillness, allows me to sit in the lap of Source (a.k.a. “Life”, “God”, “Higher Power”, etc.) more fully, just a bit longer than usual. This connection provides a greater level of spiritual guidance throughout my day. The way you connect to a higher power may look different from mine and that is great. Whatever way you connect to Source, remember that the darkness, stillness and quiet can provide the opportunity to connect a bit longer and a bit more deeply providing further nourishment for your spirit during this time.
While winter's darkness may initially bring on feelings of loneliness and sadness, a new lens can help us unveil a tapestry of positive aspects that enrich the season. From reconnection with a soul-fulfilling hobby to cozy evenings, the darkness can be the catalyst that adds depth and beauty to the winter experience. Embrace these positive aspects, and you may find that winter's darkness holds the key to a season filled with magic, reflection, and warmth.
Note: If you, or someone you love, are experiencing more than just the “winter blues”, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member or counselor and/or use the crisis numbers below.
Crisis Text Line: Text “start” to 741-741.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Naturopathic and homeopathic medicine can also be very helpful for the winter blues! Please reach out to a trusted professional if extra support is needed this time of year.