Honor the Winter Solstice
Do you know that the Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, occurring when the sun reaches its most southerly position. In this moment, the Earth's axis tilts the northern hemisphere farthest from the sun's warmth, happening just once annually in each hemisphere.
Pretty cool ha?
This natural cycle of shorter daylight hours invites us to turn inward, slow down, and cultivate stillness. And I don't know about you, but I'm welcoming this opportunity with open arms, especially during the holidays.
While we're typically drawn outward—distracted and overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, travel plans, work deadlines, and the constant holiday "hustling and bustling"—understanding this seasonal rhythm can help us make more intentional, healthier choices for ourselves (and those we care for).
Here are a few Helpful TIPS to help you slow down, go inward, and honor the Winter solstice today and this week.
• Prioritize Sleep and Evening Relaxation. Embrace the longer nights by establishing a calming bedtime routine. Put away electronic devices early, take a warm bath with soothing essential oils like lavender or chamomile, read a good book, or give yourself a foot massage. Aim to be in bed by 10 PM.
• Connect with Nature. Take a mindful walk outdoors. Touch the earth, feel tree bark, or play in the snow. If possible, walk barefoot or put your hands in the soil to ground yourself and feel connected to the natural world.
• Practice Meditation and Gentle Movement. Spend a few quiet moments in meditation each morning and evening. Follow this with a soft, restorative yoga practice or simple stretching. Focus on areas of your body that feel stiff or tense, making this a gentle part of your evening wind-down.
• Reflect and Release Journal to explore your inner landscape. Ask yourself what no longer serves you from the past year. This might include unread books, draining relationships, repetitive negative thoughts, or habits that drain your energy. Use this time to dream and invite inner guidance.ks you never read, a toxic relationship, an outdated conversation in your head, or a bad habit that isn't serving you.
The rhythm of the Winter solstice is slow, steady, and all about going inward. When we slow down, we build OJAS. In Ayurveda, this is our immunity and our energy.
Winter is the time to build our annual Ojas, and the Winter Solstice is the launch party for this cycle.
What can you add in this week that is nourishing and remove what is not (i.e., rushing, staying up late, over-scheduling)?
May you have a peaceful, rejuvenating, and restful week.
“Winter solstice is a tradition. It is celebrated in the spirit of who we are and it gives us strength and achievement and brings us to feel our essence. It is a gathering of the souls of the beautiful. At winter solstice we can really shake hands, plan for our future and show our devotion and dedication”
— Yogi Bhajan