Spring Rhythm
Clearly I have a thing for synchronization. I have always loved dance, if for no other reason than to see a bunch of bodies moving together in unison. Or, that feeling you get when dancing with a partner and it all clicks. Synchronicity, to me, is a beautiful thing…
In my previous post, I described the importance of connecting to your internal rhythm. Now, let’s talk about extending that into the rhythm of nature.
Inevitably, you already subconsciously benefit from this connection in many small ways ranging from food and lifestyle, but like with anything, becoming conscious of the connection unlocks countless additional rewards.
Like the feeling you get while dancing with a partner, the most lovely thing happens when you move with nature; you realize all of the cues that you need are right in front of you. Whether it be the shift in season, the availability of locally-sourced foods or the light of day, nature is constantly signaling what you need.
We eat more warm foods and down-regulate activity to some extent in the cooler months. Conversely, we eat lighter, fresher foods and amp-up our movements in the warmer months. That said, it is easy to fall into habits that last year-round, whether tending toward eating favorite meals and snacks, or getting stuck in the same workout routine. With some conscious attention to seasonal shifts and a greater connection to your natural rhythm within them, you can optimize to a healthier lifestyle, considerate of each season.
Here are some things to consider as you move into Spring:
As the weather warms up, be aware of moments you are staying inside when you could be outdoors. Do you hold-on to the predictable weather of the treadmill inside the gym, or could you begin running outside? Do you continue to move fast and hard in the Spring, as you have with the cold of Winter? Consider what your body really needs rather than just sticking to your routine. Actively think about all of the options that your natural surroundings present to you.
Bring your hands to the Earth. You may have already experienced an inclination to plant something, thereby touching the soil. Feeling the earth on bare hands and bare feet is very grounding for the body and mind. Feel the ground and run your intentions for Spring through your limbs into the soil.
Eat foods that are in-season and which are available by shopping locally. A good co-op, health food market or farmer’s market will offer a great variety of locally grown foods that are in-season. This is a wonderful way to let nature guide you. Once you tune into local, seasonal foods, you will begin to see the stark contrast between the quality of food available year-round and shipped from other regions in the world. A nice way to do this is to simply choose one local piece of produce, you otherwise would overlook, each time you purchase grocery shop.
Moving away from the heavier foods of Winter, seek out the light leafy greens beginning to shoot out of the ground. Spring brings new life… garden peas, lettuce and greens, berries, garlic scapes are just a few of the gifts nature offers to help refresh the body. You can also find many wild edibles rich in nutrients at this time… nettles, dandelion greens, morel mushrooms, and wild leeks to name a few. Many of these spring foods help to detox the body from the heavier foods of Winter.
Let natural light guide your sleep. Winter has been a time of restoration. With more hours of dark, sleep comes easily. As light begins to be more abundant with Spring, feel yourself sprouting like a seedling from the soil. With proper restoration, you will be yearning to move out and toward the light.
Use the natural times of transition to make changes in your life or to reset your body. Have you noticed that there is an inclination to “spring clean” or “fall detox”? These are liminal places in nature, perfect for making a shift or preparing for the coming season.
