Seasonal depression, especially in the Northeast, can stem from losing our identity within nature: we forget that we are one with the earth and that the seasons exist not only for the health of the planet but also for our own well-being. A simple way to navigate Maine’s long winter is to reconnect with the natural rhythms and healing qualities inherent in this season.
Each season carries its own medicine, prescribing how to manage ourselves with intention and holism. As a new season approaches, we should be prepared to ask ourselves the seasonal question. For example, in spring, the world awakens from its winter slumber. As nature begins to bloom, we too enter a time of new beginnings and creativity. The energy of spring fills you with hope and potential. Ask yourself: What new intentions am I ready to set?
As we move into summer, the days grow longer and warmer—a time of peak spontaneity and confidence. The fire element radiates vitality and enhances the joy of social connection. Ask yourself: What am I ready to share with the world?
When autumn arrives, it’s time to harvest the fruits of our labor. The cooling energy of this season invites us to reflect on what we have created and what has served us. Ask yourself: What do I wish to release?
Finally, winter brings rest and introspection. The colder season provides a unique space to release old patterns, behaviors, beliefs, and relationships that have run their course. Picture the peaceful stillness of a winter night, with the full moon shining brightly in the dark sky. It is within this stillness that we prepare strength and create room for new growth so we can nurture the seeds of new beginnings come spring. Ask yourself: What wisdom does my inner voice whisper to me?
We can feel whole when we engage in the yearly cycle that guides us through self-regulation and personal development: creation, expression, reflection, and release. With this perspective, we are neither lonely nor victims of winter. In times of low mood, take a deep breath and align with the earth’s rhythms, finding comfort in our shared experience. Just as the earth allows its greens to die to conserve energy for spring growth, we too must honor winter introspection. The cure is within us, and it is our personal responsibility to embrace the medicinal intention of winter, just as all living things do.
In the winter, the energy of the planet descents into the roots. Root vegetables like potatoes, beets, and carrots offer nourishment. Rotating your diet with the seasons can help align your internal rhythm with the external world; eating hearty foods supports the body through the winter months.