Column: How to thrive throughout the winter despite the gloomy weather

As the weather grows colder, it’s tempting to hibernate until spring, but Cambridge-based holistic therapist Antonya Catahlinah Beamish has four ideas to ensure you thrive through winter

As someone who is extremely sensitive to the weather, the slide from autumn into winter can feel pretty hard. And as the days become shorter, darker, and heavier, I find it increasingly hard to stay vibrant, healthy, and happy.

British winters can be cold, damp, and dark, and I’m always tempted to go into hibernation and not emerge until March. But life is for living, and I choose not to be defeated by winter. So, in an effort to survive and thrive this winter, I’m sharing four blissful ways to stay nourished this season.

*Keep the energy flowing through your body

One of the most important things that keeps us warm and vibrant in winter is having a healthy, functioning, and flowing body that also keeps us feeling energised and positive mentally and emotionally, which is why daily movement is so important.

I know this is hard for many of us who work in sedentary roles, yet the stiller we sit, the colder, creakier and crankier we become.

Whether it’s yoga at home, a walk in the park or 20 minutes’ morning stretching, it all makes a huge difference in keeping the energy flowing through your body, ensuring the muscles are fluid and maintaining your inner engine’s warmth.

What’s more, when we have a healthy, flowing lymphatic system, it contributes to a strong immune system, keeping us healthy and balanced throughout winter.

*Feed your body warm and enriching foods

I stick to eating foods that bring me joy in winter. I don’t believe in restriction, but I do believe in moderation. I’m the first to admit I don’t have a perfect diet, but I try hard to eat foods without remorse or guilt. I strongly believe that when we attach feelings of shame, guilt, or anger to what we’re eating, it changes the energy of the experience and how the body digests that food.

Winter is a time for nourishment and to eat well and warmly. As someone who really feels the cold, I need to eat warming foods, including spices such as fennel and mustard seed, ginger and turmeric. This is a powerful way to stay warm from within.

*The little extras that make all the difference

With all the heating and cold temperatures, drinking water is often the first thing we forget. If this sounds familiar, I suggest stocking up on herbal teas so you can always drink something hydrating and warm.

My favourite concoction is freshly cut ginger, turmeric powder, half a lemon, and a teaspoon of honey - a warming and tasty drink to power you through cold days.

Alongside staying hydrated, I recommend a strong supplement regime to keep you feeling supported. I take a baseline of Magnesium, Vitamin B12 and 1000mg Vitamin C. I’ll also be adding vitamin D due to the lack of sunlight, as well as Vitamin A and Zinc, both of which work with vitamin C to create a strong immune support package to combat winter colds.

*Prioritise your joy

Winter is a time to prioritise joy, as it’s all too easy to feel down about the weather, especially after the glitz and glamour of Christmas.

It’s also a vulnerable time for most of us, particularly because of society’s deep conditioning that January is a time to power back into work, deprive ourselves of pleasure, punish ourselves in the gym, and push ourselves out into the world to achieve our goals and dreams.

It’s ironic, because despite January being the beginning of the year, it’s deep in the winter season of hibernation, reflection, stillness, and contemplation.

So, I encourage you to buck the trend and stay centred in what feels good for you in January, not what society is telling you to do.

For me, it’s the little things that sustain me during winter such as hot lavender-scented baths and cold morning walks. And this year, I’m taking it further by hunting down warm saunas to relax in and new yoga classes to try. I’ll see you on the other side!

Find out more about Antonya, who offers soul contract readings, divine healing sessions and guidance programmes, at antonyabeamish.com