It’s six o’clock in the evening, and the sun has already set. The body is whispering for a warm cup of tea and rest, yet the to-do list stretches on: emails and carpools, fundraisers and school practices, appointments and dinner still to be cooked. The desire for rest is overridden by our self-imposed need to get it all done. The colder season, however, brings an opportunity to shift how we see rest and productivity, inviting us to move in harmony with the cycles of nature.

“Our culture has fed us the myth that we can grow and achieve ceaselessly,” explains Kari Leibowitz, Ph.D., a psychologist, speaker, workshop facilitator and author of How to Winter. “The idea that this growth is linear and steady, with no breaks, is a myth and a fantasy. So much of the winter woes and the burnout of the season comes from a mismatch between our natural rhythms, our expectations and the demands of the world. Winter is an invitation to slow down.”

 

Lost Wisdom of Seasonal Living

As with every other living being, we are intimately connected to nature’s cycles. “We are animals, and we live on a planet. And almost every other living thing on this planet changes its behavior with the seasons,” observes Leibowitz. “Because we have electricity, artificial light and calendars, we have deluded ourselves into thinking that we can—and should—maintain the same routines and productivity levels year-round.”

This spirit of connectedness is echoed by Shamini Jain, Ph.D., adjunct professor at the University of California San Diego, founder of the Consciousness and Healing Initiative, and author of Healing Ourselves: Biofield Science and the Future of Health. “When we own that we’re part of a universe that has its ebbs and flows, we pay attention to the seasons,” she notes, adding that Indigenous medicine and wisdom have long honored natural cycles, seeking to answer the same question we ask ourselves today: “How can I show up and be most efficient in my service?”

This ancient orientation toward seasonal rhythms is not just a philosophical concept. Anthropological studies suggest that our ancestors likely slept more in the cooler months, falling asleep soon after sunset and rising before dawn. They got the most sunlight in the morning, aligning their body’s cycles with temperature and light cues provided by nature. Contrast this with modern life, where we stay active well after dark, are exposed to sleep-disrupting blue light, wake with alarms and regulate our environment with thermostats that erase natural temperature shifts. By structuring our lives around modern demands, we resist nature’s rhythms. The result, says Jain, is chronic stress, fatigue and burnout.

 

Modern Stressors

As autumn transitions into winter and the holidays approach, many of us face greater demands to cook, shop, perform, travel or coordinate complex schedules, yet our resources of time and energy remain the same—or even ebb—as daylight hours shorten and our bodies naturally slow down and produce less vitamin D because of a decrease in sunlight exposure.

“Whenever demands exceed resources, we become stressed,” says Dr. Sharon Grossman, physician and author of The Burnout Solution. Chronic stress has a cumulative effect on our bodies, causing what is known as an allostatic overload, which, according to Yale Medicine, can lead to emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, reduced creativity, brain fog, disrupted sleep, physical aches and pains, or even social withdrawal.

 

Improving Our Mindset

“We often think of stress as a thing that lives ‘out there’, but stress is actually an internal perception that we have. It’s not always about the circumstances themselves; it’s about what you’re telling yourself about the circumstances that creates the stress,” explains Grossman.

A 2016 study in Anxiety, Stress, & Coping examined the effects of altering our perspective on stress. Participants were encouraged to see it as a potential source of energy and resilience, rather than harmful. Those that applied this change in mindset reported better moods, enhanced cognitive performance and healthier physiological responses during a stressful task.

Try this psychological exploration: Identify limiting beliefs by journaling about the specific fears and guilt that come with saying “no” to a request for help. Next time someone asks for something, politely decline and observe the outcome. Check if expectations of conflict or hurt were unfounded. This approach challenges limiting assumptions and helps us set healthier boundaries, thereby reducing stress and enhancing emotional well-being.

 

Setting Healthy Boundaries

We often have countless ideas about how we should behave, and many of these beliefs hold us back. Grossman emphasizes that every “yes” adds to our demands. “If you’re going to say ‘yes’, understand why you’re saying it,” Grossman cautions. “It should serve a purpose, because our resources are limited.” In practical terms, we have to either lower the demands we accept or increase our resources, such as time or support, to meet them.

For Leibowitz, setting boundaries becomes easier when guided by values. If we want Thanksgiving to feel lighthearted and memorable, that might mean skipping elaborate dishes, accepting a less-than-perfect home and prioritizing rest so we can be present and joyful.

When a new request comes in, pause and reflect on how it aligns with personal values. Consider whether we are acting out of pressure. Release such commitments to make room for a new, better-aligned invitation.

 

Breathing Out the Stress

Simple breathing practices can profoundly calm the nervous system. “The point is to breathe—nice inhales, long exhales—and in letting out a long exhale, make a sigh of relief,” Jain advises, suggesting that sounds like “ooo” or “ahh” during exhalation enhance emotional release.

Just five minutes of intentional breathing can make a measurable difference. Studies have demonstrated that longer exhales stimulate the vagus nerve, activating the rest-and-digest system, while calming the fight-or-flight response. This reduces heart rate and blood pressure and signals the brain to relax.

Try this breathing exercise: Sit or recline comfortably. Inhale gently through the nose, then exhale through the mouth, allowing sound to escape—this can be a sigh, a groan or a vowel tone. With each round, allow the exhale to lengthen naturally, releasing tension.

 

Transformative Singing

According to Jain, “Singing, whether by yourself or in groups, helps harmonize the body’s rhythms, decreases inflammation and activates the nervous system’s rest-and-digest response.” A 2016 study by London researchers, published in ecancermedicalscience, demonstrated that just one hour of group singing reduced stress and improved mood, with saliva tests indicating lower levels of cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) and changes in immune markers associated with resilience.

Bringing the benefits of song can be as simple as singing or humming a tune while washing dishes, showering or driving to work. Knowing the lyrics isn’t necessary; the vibrations alone create a positive resonance in the body.

 

Nature Therapy

Every breath we take is a dance between humans and plants. The oxygen they expel fuels us, and our exhaled carbon dioxide sustains them. This exchange is part of the deep bioelectric communication connecting us to the natural world.

“Fresh air, movement and connecting with nature are all natural antidepressants. Even a few minutes outside can be a powerful way to shift your experience,” says Leibowitz. A 2016 review of 52 Japanese studies found that spending time in nature measurably relaxes the body. Being around forests, plants or green spaces calms the nervous system, improves brain function, balances hormones and strengthens the immune system.

Try this outdoor palliative: Find a patch of earth and stand barefoot. With eyes closed, imagine releasing the day’s energies down into the ground. After a few breaths, visualize energy flowing back up, reinvigorating the body.

 

Calming Movement

Mind-body-spirit practices offer powerful ways to find inner serenity. “They are effective in harmonizing the nervous system, reducing inflammation and opening our connection with heaven and Earth,” asserts Jain. Tai chi and qigong, which blend flowing movements with focused attention, breath and relaxation, have been shown in studies to pacify the overactive sympathetic nervous system and promote deep relaxation. Yoga offers similar effects. A 2020 review of 12 studies with nearly 675 healthy adults found consistent reductions in perceived stress, confirming yoga’s power to ease everyday tension.

Practicing these modalities under the guidance of a professional helps reduce risk of injury. Look for a tai chi, qigong or gentle yoga class in the community. Many studios offer a free first class or sessions in a local park.

 

Rest as Wisdom

In a culture that glorifies hustle, reclaiming rest is an act of healing. Jain asserts, “We can move through the winter of our mind and body, allowing it to deeply rest so that when spring comes, we can move forward with more energy—for the right things, as opposed to everything.” Nature offers a model for this wisdom. Although the natural world seems to be still in winter, vital work occurs beneath the surface. Just as fruit trees need a cold dormancy period to bloom again, we also require periods of quiet renewal. Our cycles of stillness are as essential to growth, creativity and productivity as our cycles of action.

Rest is more than sleep; it is a way of tuning in. “When we slow down, it’s not just about regeneration,” explains Jain. “It’s about listening to the body’s wisdom, slowing down enough to access deeper intuitions and guidance about our next steps.” Our cycles of rest serve as a teacher. By slowing down, we gain the wisdom, focus and resilience to fully embrace a life renewed.

 

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, researcher and content creator for KnoWEwell, P.B.C., as well as a former writer at the National Institutes of Health.

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