In Chinese Five Element Theory, winter describes a time of hibernation. It’s a period of stillness, introspection, and deep restoration. As the season is governed by the element water, the bodily systems of the kidneys and bladder need to be considered at this time of year. Together with the reproductive organs, these are considered to house what’s referred to as ‘Vital Essence’, or what you could call our ‘mojo’!

Mojo requires a balance of activity and rest. Imagine a brisk walk in the woods before coming home to a bowl of steaming broth, morning yoga before enjoying a slow breakfast, or chopping logs before curling up in front of the fire.

Last year, Gemma wrote a beautiful piece on winter living. Today, I’d like to build on this and focus on three important areas to help you enjoy your most restorative winter yet!

The Nature of Rest

In Chinese Five Element Theory, winter describes a period of hibernation, introspection, and deep restoration. Nature reminds us that we require deep nourishment at this time of year. We can all benefit from taking time out to rest and refocus, and the winter season naturally supports this important process.

Winter is a time to dream and connect with what’s important to you. From a place of rest, you can align yourself with your goals and plans in preparation for spring, when the energy is there to bring them to fruition.

Living in a fast-paced world, isolated from nature, it’s easy to miss these natural influences. Once upon a time, nature was home. Our lives were inseparable from it, and it profoundly shaped our existence, providing everything that sustained us. But not anymore.

Today, I’m here with SOL nutrition expert Florence Neville and we have some advice and ideas for what to eat in winter to help you feel nourished and content throughout the season.

Florence is an experienced health and nutrition coach who helps people use food to reach optimum health and I have worked as a nutritionist and holistic chef on wellbeing retreats around the world, gaining valuable knowledge and experience supporting people on their own wellbeing journeys.

At State of Liberty, we believe eating should be joyful and celebratory. Nutrition, health and wellbeing are intrinsically linked. When we’re conscious of our food choices and aware of our personal needs, natural rhythms, cycles and habits, we are choosing the most responsible and liberating way of eating and living.

Spring is celebrated as the beginning of the life cycle. It’s a fresh start – a time of renewal and growth. This season gives us a boost in energy to create exciting plans, begin new projects, and make new connections.

Spring is celebrated as the beginning of the life cycle. It’s a fresh start – a time of renewal and new growth. This season gives us a boost in energy to make exciting plans, begin new projects, and create new connections.

At State of Liberty, we’re looking forward and preparing for spring, the season of planning. In order to plan effectively for the year ahead, it’s a good idea to clarify what’s important to you, and a good place to start is by exploring and connecting with your core values.

State of Liberty Home Retreats are inspired by nature and aligned with the seasons. Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements Theory also influence our approach. This ancient system encourages us to follow the natural seasons, rhythms, and cycles of our planet to support balance in our bodies and minds.

Chinese Five Elements Theory follows a five-season cycle. Each season corresponds with one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and supports, nourishes, and prepares the body for the next season – creating a constant cycle of wellbeing.

Sarah D Rees is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist working in full-time private practice. She delivers therapy to people with a variety of mental health problems including anxiety, stress, trauma, and depression.

Having worked in mental health for over 20 years, Sarah is passionate about finding the most up-to-date, helpful and effective strategies for improving people’s psychological wellbeing. Last year, she launched The CBT Journal, a tool for self-care designed to help you understand your mind, build emotional resilience and improve your mental health.

Today, Sarah shares her own unique wellbeing story with the SOL community…

Winter, with its long nights, reduced temperatures and lower light levels, is when we want to be hibernating. We’re drawn to conserving energy, appreciating the peaceful nature of cold, wintry days, and enjoying deep, restorative sleep. So why do so many people struggle to get to sleep or to stay asleep during winter?

Today, SOL expert Florence Neville tells us how to sleep well in winter and shares some simple techniques that can make a big difference at this time of year.