This time of year we start to notice the heaviness of the winter season, the lack of sunny days, the exhaustion of the mundane schedule post-holiday, and we find illness around nearly every corner. Winter is a season of restoration or many. Rest is crucial to keeping our immune system strong, and rest can look like a lot of things.
Let's remind ourselves of the power of taking a break when we need it. We don’t have to quit or give up, but if we add a slower pace, some extra mindful breaths, and space to catch up with ourselves, we can regain our strength and optimism for the days and weeks to come when the energy all around us starts to vibrate a little higher.
Rest can be a break from social media, your phone or TV, a break from your daily routine for a chilly walk in the neighborhood, a break from a toxic environment or relationship, or an escape to a yoga class or getting lost in a good book. Rest can also be a retreat from our normal habits and patterns, maybe it's saying yes when we would normally say no, or giving ourselves grace when we need to stop in our tracks to just breathe and reset.
Take a step back and evaluate what resting and rejuvenating can look like for you when things start to feel dark and heavy. Your mat is a great place to allow for this reflection.