Holistic Healing Expert: Carol Lee
There is so much pressure in January to start again, that old adage ‘New year, new you!’ banded about everywhere.
The truth is that most of us don’t have much get up and go in January. We are in deep Winter and if we give ourselves space to tune into our bodies everything is slow, slow, so slow.
So rather than push the resolutions, I made 12 new habit suggestions, along with an affirmation, for each month of 2022. Each one is in alignment with the seasonal energy and so will support your body, mind, and spirit.
“Take the opportunity to top up your batteries for the coming growing and action months.”
January – Add-in More Resting:
‘I Enjoy More Rest And Sleep’
In the deep Winter, if we follow the energy of the season, we will probably be sleeping more. I know that left to my own devices I can add two extra hours in Winter than at the height of Summer. If you can’t add more sleep then add in more duvet time, relaxing in bed, snoozing, lying in, dreaming, or an afternoon nap. Take the opportunity to top up your batteries for the coming growing and action months.
February – Add-in More Water:
‘I Nourish My Body With Water’
Winter is the season associated with the Water element in Traditional Chinese medicine. So let the water support you…
- Drink more water, ideally make it body temperature.
- Make showering sacred as well as functional, imagine the water clearing your energy as well as you body.
- Take walks by the sea or rivers, let the flow revitalise you.
March – Add-in Planning On Health:
‘I Feel Organised And On Track’
In March we start to see signs of early Spring and with this our energy can also start to wake up. Just as you may start sorting through some packets of seeds for your vegetable or flower garden, start sorting through your Winter musings. Start to make some plans for the year ahead for how you would like to grow.
“When we do this we ease up on our body and give it space to spring clean.”
April – Add-in Cleansing:
‘I Support My Body To Cleanse’
Just as the sap rises in plants so it also rises in us. We can make the most of this rising cleansing energy during the Springtime. Eat more lightly for a week, especially when the moon is waning (moving towards New Moon). You can do this by consuming less meat, dairy, wheat products, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods. When we do this we ease up on our body and give it space to spring clean.
May – Add-in More Time In Nature And Health:
‘I Enjoy Spending Time In Nature’
Ahhh at last there is some warmth in the sun. In the U.K. we can have some beautifully warm days where we can start to build up our immune-boosting Vitamin D levels that will have been depleted over the Winter. If you’ve been exercising in a gym, take a walk outside or have your coffee break with your face to the sun
June – Add-in Raw Food:
‘I Nourish Myself With Colourful, Raw Food’
The energy and vitality from organic raw fruit and vegetables is fantastic as none of the enzymes, nutrients, and ‘life force’ or ‘chi’ of the plant has been diminished by heating or processing. I believe that for a diet to be ‘A1’ healthy some raw fruit and vegetables need to be eaten everyday.
July – Add-in Time Off:
‘I Give Myself Regular Breaks From Work’
Make the most of the Summer, whether you go away, take a Friday and Monday off or simply enjoy hammock time in the garden for the afternoon, close your laptop and diary and take a break.
“Start by writing down just three things you are grateful for every day in a notebook.”
August – Add-in Gratitude:
‘I Focus On What I Am Thankful For’
As the harvest begins in nature, starting a gratitude practice is a simple way of having our own internal harvest festival and finding some positive feelings in an often overwhelming world. Start by writing down just three things you are grateful for every day in a notebook.
September – Add-in Natural Sweetness To Health:
‘I Enjoy The Natural Sweetness In Food’
Try avoiding processed sugar products and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of the season; squashes, apples, pears, berries and so much more. It’s all packed with nourishing, gut health supporting sweetness.
October – Add-in Decluttering:
‘I Let Go Of What I No Longer Need’
As the trees start to release their leaves, choose a cupboard, drawer or a small space and aim to embrace the seasonal energy of letting go. Nothing feels better than clearing the decks before Winter
November – Add-in quiet Time:
‘I Take Time To Go Within’
Nature is turning inwards and in this busy, overstimulating world having a simple meditation practice can help us feel more balanced. This could include meditating each day or taking mindful moments where we focus on a smell or a sound to be fully present.
December – Add-in Time To Dream And Maintain Health:
‘I Allow Myself To Dream And Noodle’
It’s pottering month although the holiday season may tell us something else! If I have something to work out or create I do something called ‘Putting it on the back burner’ meaning I set the intention for an answer to come, I then get on pottering with something else.
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