Seasonal Self-Care: Thriving Through the Full Moon and Winter Solstice
It's a full moon tomorrow and the Winter Solstice on 21st December, a powerfully cleansing time of the year. It's always a useful tip to make a note of the full moon, solstices and equinoxes. Equinoxes have the strongest vibration, then solstices then full moons.
All of these influences will reset your system for you, not always in the most pleasant way but as a means to redress imbalance.
In holistic medicine we see the presence of viruses, fungi and bacteria not as a negative but as a sign of internal imbalance and a need to correct that imbalance. So don't worry. Your body knows how to fix itself, it's just the way we go about it and often our desire to fix it as quickly as possible without understanding the reason why it's shown up in the first place.
Viruses etc. are opportunistic. If the internal conditions are right, they will seize upon them so if you want to be free of them or move through them at pace chastising yourself, your body or worrying are not helpful.
Mindfulness
When those pesky thoughts occur, say to yourself, 'it's ok.' Hard as it may be, let them be without trying to change them, being super kind to yourself in the process.
This has been a hard lesson for me and perhaps for you too. To be with painful symptoms, thoughts and feelings without judgement.
Self-kindness
I say to my body, "I hear your suffering. I'm gonna listen and I'm going to ask for help," from the universe (God, source, higher self). I'll let my loved ones know too. And from there take the next right step in that moment. Perhaps it's a painkiller, an afternoon nap, a nourishing vegetable broth. Beating ourselves up stops this natural process of knowing what to do and keeps us stuck in blame of ourselves and others or guilt or just plain old horrible anxiety. Engaging in this practice helps you return to centre and hear your inner wisdom.
I'm learning NOT to make an illness or troubling thought bigger than this moment. To think about the next step only, not jumping to the future with ALL the steps that I think will sort me out or catastrophising that this time will be like the last time when it was so awful..only making the outcome worse with all the worry.
Have you read Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton? Your cells hear you. They are affected by the thoughts you think. That doesn't mean you have to have perfect thoughts. Not at all. That would be fake but it's the way you can be with them without judgement and resistance and then they release from you naturally and the one thing you need to do in that moment comes to you easily. Really, it's a blessing to live in this way.
Get in touch if you'd like help
Winter Solstice
So the winter solstice is a seasonal shift and seasonal shifts create vibratory movement within our cells. They cause internal and outward shifts and these can be really uncomfortable depending on what we're carrying and how much.
Use this time not to chastise your body or curse your bad luck if you're having an acute episode. It's ok, you will get better, your body is doing a bit of re-balance. It's a clearing out as we move deeper into the colder months. Of course if your self-care is poor such as eating poorly or prioritising others needs over your own then you will need to address that. I'm here to help if you would like to address frequent acute episodes or chronic conditions. Email me.
The Winter Solstice marks the start of winter. Don't let that depress you as after that day, it gets a bit lighter each and every day so whilst it may yet get colder, there will be more light, not a lot but some.
We can get so low in Vitamin D around this time because of the lack of light and because of our time spent indoors keeping warm. Watch that. See if you can wrap up warm and still get outside or as I do, turn your face towards even the smallest glimpse of sunshine without any sunscreen on. Enjoy it!
Our vitamin D levels are also affected by our liver function since our liver stores it for us so this really is the time of year to support it as much as we can.
Try this..Make sure you're well hydrated at all times with cups of warm water, limit processed foods (especially gluten), have lots of fresh vegetables in soups/broths/stews etc. Add extra moisture with soaked linseeds (contraindicated for inflammatory bowel conditions such as diverticulitis), sea-moss gel and short grain brown rice so that you minimise the damaging effects of all those delicious drinks and festive treats.
Fresh vegetable juice, ginger, lemon, manuka honey and other delights can be a good idea but sometimes irritate achy joints for eg. Message me if you're unsure. I made Anthony Williams aka 'medical medium,' cranberry water the other day to boost my vitamin C levels. There's lots of choice out there, trust your intuition or gut instinct. matching detoxification (toxins coming out of your cells) with toxins leaving your body (via bowel, lungs, kidneys and skin). For eg; lots of raw juicing (detox) needs a well-functioning bowel (eliminate).
We are drinking more alcohol and consuming more rich food at exactly the time of the year when the winter solstice would prefer us to cleanse so there will be consequences. Hey ho, it is what it is. Don't feel guilty! Have some, not masses, enjoy and keep up your healthy habits inbetween.
Big hug and a very Merry, warm and healthy Christmas
Sophie xox
p.s. I'm taking bookings for January if 2025 is your year to start prioritising your health, wellbeing and joy. Click here to find out more and click here to read my clients success stories if you're not sure.
p.p.s. Save the date - Craig Turberville and I will be facilitating a beautiful workshop circle with Qi Gong and guided meditation for self-compassion on 26 January.