The sky appears as a gentle, muted gray, with sunrise occurring after many have already woken, while nature—hushed beneath crisp layers of morning frost—remains quiet and dormant. The holiday season has ended, and during this most shadowy, stark, and frigid period of the year, when the rest of the natural world is in hibernation, we are… heading to the gym?
Traditional thinking suggests we must transform ourselves when the new year begins: establishing resolutions, pushing ourselves harder, maintaining improved habits.
While personal development isn’t inherently bad, January represents the poorest timing to emphasize it. We should cease attempting to improve ourselves at the start of the year. Here’s the reasoning:
January should be a period for profound rest
Even though people cannot truly hibernate, we remain biologically programmed for a more subdued lifestyle throughout winter. The seasonal shortage of sunlight triggers increased melatonin production—the hormone responsible for sleep—making us feel more fatigued.
Based on 2023 research from Charité Medical University of Berlin, individuals generally , experiencing approximately 30 additional minutes of REM sleep. And though we might offset the sunlight deficit with artificial lighting, scientific research indicates this has a : triggering issues ranging from mood and sleep disturbances to cardiovascular complications.
Therefore, perhaps January isn’t the season for transformation, but rather for profound rest. Winter offers an opportunity to follow nature’s lead, to craft our personal form of hibernation, to heed our bodies’ signals, and to quietly and gradually prepare for the upcoming year. Decelerating benefits your wellbeing and can enhance your productivity over time.
Without disconnecting, you won’t have capacity for future growth
Disconnecting at the start of the year represents one of the most pragmatic steps you can take to safeguard yourself from burnout and ready your mind for upcoming challenges.
People frequently inquire about the optimal approach to embracing a more leisurely lifestyle, and I consistently advise beginning with your day’s start. Establish a gentle, uncomplicated morning ritual—something realistic and approachable that will establish the mood for your entire day.
Here’s a sample morning routine that cooperates with your body rather than opposing it this winter: Draw back the curtains to admit any available natural light. Keep your phone at a distance, and instead commence your morning with journaling, meditation, or reading. I personally enjoy using this time for Bible reading and prayer. If possible, attempt to step outside and engage in light physical activity. A leisurely stroll will help regulate your circadian rhythm and signal to your body that it’s time to awaken for the day.
Aligning your lifestyle with the seasons serves as an excellent method for remaining anchored in the present, for tuning into your body’s needs, and for providing it with appropriate care at the proper time of year. Observe what the natural world does in each season; in winter, it rests—so draw inspiration from that pattern.
In our current era of convenience and simplicity, we’ve completely lost touch with the process of creation. An excellent method for slowing down involves returning to handcrafting. Experiment with a new craft, or revisit one you haven’t practiced since childhood. Activities like knitting and crocheting have demonstrated benefits including reduced blood pressure, soothed nervous systems, and enhanced self-esteem. The long, dark evenings provide ideal opportunities to step away from screens and reconnect with the artistry of handmade items.
The blue light emitted by our screens can severely disrupt our circadian rhythms, which become confused about the actual time of day. Attempt to power down your screens at least sixty minutes before sleep. Rather than scrolling, read a book or perhaps enjoy a warm bubble bath. You might also explore gentle sleep yoga or meditative breathing exercises. Utilize these early, dark evenings to allow your body to recuperate through additional sleep.
This season can pose significant challenges to our wellbeing, both physically and psychologically. To navigate these darker months, I suggest adopting a Nordic mindset. Hygge lacks a direct English equivalent, but fundamentally, it signifies embracing wellness, fostering satisfaction with life’s simple joys, and relishing winter’s coziness. Transform your home—living room, bedroom, etc.—into a sanctuary where you genuinely want to spend time this winter. Maintain soft, warm lighting with string lights or candles. Play your preferred music and indulge in a beautiful new bedding set. Do whatever makes your home feel like somewhere you never wish to depart.
Winter serves as a reminder that the world doesn’t flourish continuously throughout the year, and that productivity alone doesn’t define a life well-lived. Perhaps January’s true lesson isn’t about starting over, but about respecting our current state. Just as trees don’t hurry their budding and the earth slowly thaws, we can grant ourselves permission to proceed gradually, to rest, to rejuvenate. When we synchronize ourselves with nature’s more leisurely pace, we uncover a softer type of advancement—the silent variety that develops strength from within.
Transformation will arrive in its appropriate season. For the present, it’s sufficient to simply pause and believe that stillness constitutes growth as well.
