Are humans seasonal?
Did you know that the spring equinox begins on March 20th, which is considered the first day of astronomical spring whereas the meteorological calendar marks the beginning of Spring on March 1st? The only reason I know this, is because I googled it and I know that it is now April, but I wanted to write about my thoughts around humans being seasonal and it made sense to link it to the seasons and time of year I am in, writing about it! What a strange way to start a blog. But there is method in my madness I promise.
I was struck by the beauty of the daffodils I saw on a recent walk, and it got me to thinking about how uplifting I find Spring. It is a time of hope for me, where I see the plants beginning to burst into leaf and flowers and hear the birds really signing their dawn chorus. The sense of relief I feel to have more daylight in the evening and the hope that the rain will give way to more blue skies, sunshine and more chance to be in nature enjoying all the uplifting energy that she provides me, in the Spring sunshine.
Winter can feel like a long season, especially if you find the darker days difficult. There are many people suffer with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), also known as “seasonal depression” or “winter depression” and I have noticed with people in general that the weather can have a big impact on mood and appetite. The winter has us huddled up reaching for the warming drinks and food which can be very comforting when you are feeling the chill. When in comparison the spring seems to wake us up with new energy to think about getting fitter for the summer and wanting to shed the the many layers of clothing that have provided warmth like a cocoon.
When I think about it, it seems to me that us humans are seasonal beings, even if we fight it. When it is springtime, there is excitement about seeing the spring bulbs appearing and much excitement of hanging the first load of laundry on the line (yes that would be me!). The garden needs attention and the air is filled with the sounds of lawnmowers and people being outside it their gardens. There are lots of social media posts about growing veg and when to sow the seeds and transplant them out into the ground. We become obsessed with checking if there will be a frost, so as to protect our fragile plants from getting nipped by it and killing off the signs of life from a lovingly planted seed. All the preparation for a chance to reap the rewards of all that hard work in the coming months.
As the summer comes in, we begin to feel the need for a break after all that activity, to enjoy the sunshine and dry days, whilst still being busy having lots of social gatherings, staying up late, harvesting the veggies and planning lots of activities.
Summer then gives way to Autumn, where the daylight starts to shrink and there is less time or warmth to keep us outside and can be a time of dread for some causing anxiety and depression. Many will enjoy the vibrant colours that nature provides as the leaves turn and prepares to wind down to the time of rest and regeneration over the dormant period of Winter.
Mother Nature shows us a really good way to live through the seasons. We cannot be in “Spring” and “Summer” mode, bursting with life and being productive and being busy all the time. We need to have the ebb and flow of the seasons in the way that we live our lives too. We are living in “Spring” mode during the week when we are working, studying, caring for others etc. When we have a day off, we might need to be like the autumn, where we are slowing down and resting a little more or even have a day of winter where time is taken to stop, snuggle up quietly and rest. That could be in the form of reading a book, having a coffee with a friend or not setting the alarm so that you sleep for the time you need and wake when you are ready.
I believe that humans are seasonal, we are part of nature and just as Mother Nature brings us the seasons I believe that if we live our lives with the seasons in mind, listening to our bodies to understand when we need to rest and recharge our batteries, just like nature in the winter months, as well as being busy like nature during the Spring and Summer months, we will feel calmer and more harmonious with ourselves and others. Being able to listen to what you body needs is a real skill and not an easy one to cultivate, but it is possible when you understand yourself and have an awareness of your needs.
If this is something that you would like to be able to do, do get in touch. I am here to help.
