On Wintering: The Art of Resting, Renewing, and Replenishing

On Wintering: The Art of Resting, Renewing, and Replenishing

Winter is more than just a season! It is an intentional rhythmic pause that invites us to slow down, reflect, and recalibrate. Katherine May in her book "Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Time" describes wintering as a fundamental life season: “a time for nurturing inner life, for rest and reflection, for rebuilding strength and resilience.” 

At Sloflo World, we see wintering as an embodied practice, a deep one that invites us to pause and engage with experiences rooted in intentional movement, graceful pauses, and intentional rest.  

Wintering isn’t laziness, it is rest and restoration and a sync with nature's natural rhythm of longer nights and colder temperatures naturally shift our energy inward, winter invites us to:

  • Slow down with intention,

  • Examine rhythms and priorities,

  • Embrace nourishment and rest

 Looking for a place to start, keep reading . . .

1. Morning Warm-Up Ritual

Begin your day with warmth, tea, a gentle stretch, or a few slow breaths. Notice how your body feels as it wakes.

2. Slow Movement (5-10 mins)

Short, mindful movement softens stiffness and invites calm.

  • Slow yoga flows

  • 5-minute standing stretch

  • Breath-focused movement

 Try: Sloflo World Cherry Yoga Mat, cushioned support for gentle and grounding movement.



3. Reflection Time (5–10 min)

Capture one thought from your day. Wha's on your heart? What are you grateful for?

  • Today I felt most grateful when…


  • My body felt tension around…


4. Comforting End-of-Day Ritual

Wind down with warmth and softness.

  • Candlelight or soft lighting

  • Warm drinks

  • Deep breaths before rest

🛍 Try: Sloflo World Lavender Eye Pillows or our Bliss Mist  which supports restorative sleep. 


But don't take our word for it . . .  

Research on seasonal rhythms and wholistic well-being shows that small, regular wellness rituals can:
✔ reduce stress hormones⁴
✔ support emotional regulation⁵
✔ strengthen somatic awareness (body–mind connection)⁶

So this winter, we invite you to slow down without guilt, rest without pressure, and restore without resistance . . . 

With love and care,
The Sloflo World Team


📚 Sources

  1. May, Katherine. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times.

  2. Research on embodied cognition and reflective practices (e.g., Journal of Embodied Cognition).

  3. Seasonal affect and wellness studies (e.g., Journal of Affective Disorders).

  4. Stress reduction literature (e.g., Mindfulness-based stress reduction research).

  5. Emotional regulation science (e.g., Emotion journal).

  6. Somatic psychology research.

 

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