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How to Beat The Winter Blues Through 'Wintering'

03rd December 2024

As the days grow shorter and the air sharpens with the chill of winter, it’s tempting to resist the season’s quiet pull. But what if, instead of seeing winter as something to endure, we embraced it as an invitation to rest, reflect and reset? 

This is the philosophy behind 'wintering'—a conscious approach to making the most of the slower rhythms of the colder months as an opportunity to reconnect to what’s important and find joy rather than letting the winter blues take hold.

In this article, we explore the concept of wintering and how it can be beneficial to health and wellbeing to embrace the seasons and their cycles to work with them.

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Sunrise Breath Walk on the Goodwood Estate.png

The Joy of Wintering

As the days grow shorter and the air sharpens with the chill of winter, it’s tempting to resist the season’s quiet pull. But what if, instead of seeing winter as something to endure, we embraced it as an invitation to rest, reflect and reset?

This is the philosophy behind “wintering”—a conscious approach to making the most of the slower rhythms of the colder months as an opportunity to reconnect to what’s important and find joy rather than letting the winter blues take hold.

In this article, we explore the concept of wintering and how it can be beneficial to health and wellbeing to embrace the seasons and their cycles to work with them.

 

What is Wintering?

The idea of ‘Wintering’ was coined by author Katherine May in her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, wintering refers to more than just surviving the season. It’s about leaning into the natural cycles of life, in the same ways that nature has its season and accepting that winter brings gifts in its periods of stillness and introspection and a time for healing and renewal, much like nature rests before bursting into action again come Spring.

 

The Gifts of Slowing Down

In a world that glorifies busyness and with the overwhelm of the festive season, it’s important to embrace the slowing own throughout December to March where you can. Through the concept of wintering you give yourself permission to pause.

This might encompass taking time to:

Rest and replenish

Embrace the joy of missing out with quiet evenings by the fire, reading a book or giving yourself permission to do hobbies such as crafting. Using this time can be profoundly restorative and important for regulating your central nervous system.

Reflect and reassess

Using the time just after the New Year is a perfect time to check in on what you want your next 12 months, embracing this with a slower pace allows you the chance to reflect on personal goals, values and desires. Journaling, meditation, or simply sitting with your thoughts can spark clarity and creativity and start building the neural pathways to make those goals into action.

Reconnect with simple pleasures

From exploring mindful indulgence by sipping a warm drink to walking in crisp winter air, wintering encourages mindfulness and gratitude for life’s simple joys. It may be cold outside, but getting out in nature, even for a short amount of time can have a powerful impact on your wellbeing.

Read our article on how to make the most of the shorter daylight hours here.

 

The Health Benefits of Wintering

Beyond the emotional and mental benefits, wintering can also support physical health. Slower living reduces stress, improves sleep and allows the body to recharge. Winter-friendly activities such as Epsom salt baths, hot stone massages, or gentle yoga can enhance circulation and promote relaxation.

At Goodwood, the idea of seasonal wellbeing is deeply embedded in everything we do. Our commitment to regenerative farming, nourishing food and holistic retreats reflects the belief that each season has a purpose—and winter is no exception.

 

Wintering at Goodwood: Goodwood’s Health Retreats

Goodwood’s Wellness Retreats are perfectly aligned with the concept of wintering. Throughout the early months of the year, we have a number of retreats designed to help you explore resetting your health and creating preventative health habits that you can put into place in the winter months that will see you throughout the whole year.

The Goodwood Gut Health Programme, taking place in January and March in 2025 is an ideal way to give your gut a reset in the months when we tend to eat heavy foods that can make you feel sluggish and low in energy, especially after the indulgence of the festive season. 

Our Active Longevity & Wim Hof retreats in February are the perfect antidote to beat the winter blues and embrace rest and renewal in the early part of the new year. Each retreat and experience is an opportunity to immerse in nature, enjoy farm-to-fork meals and engage in mindful practices that honour the body’s need for restoration.

Wintering reminds us that there is power in slowing down, in trusting life’s natural cycles, and in giving ourselves the grace to rest. As the world outside quiets, it’s an opportunity to tune inward, cultivate stillness, and emerge stronger and more vibrant when spring arrives.

So, this winter, resist the urge to rush. Instead, sink into the season’s quiet joys and find comfort in its gifts. In the stillness, you might just discover something extraordinary: a renewed sense of self, health, and purpose.

After all, wintering is not just about getting through—it’s about growing through.

 

  • Health and Wellbeing

  • Health & Wellbeing

  • gut health

  • fitness tips

  • latest news