Embrace seasonal living

During the pandemic, many of us made jokes about not remembering what month or season it was. But the truth is that many of us have been disconnected from our natural world for much longer. Our office workplaces, cars, artificial lighting, and heating and cooling systems all work to create indoor environments in which we can accidentally forget about what’s happening in nature. And the less we interact with the natural world, the more detached we can feel.

Seasonal living offers a way to rekindle our relationships with nature. In the process, we can uncover the joy and beauty in the natural world hidden in plain sight all around us.

WHAT IS SEASONAL LIVING?

Humans used to live in a way that was innately more in touch with the seasons; indeed, many people around the world still do. For farmers, it’s important to intricately know what is happening in nature, so crops are planted and harvested at the right times and are tended with care.

But for the rest of us, living in a way that is consciously connected to the seasons can be an intentional lifestyle choice through mindful daily practices such as seasonal eating and spending more time outside. We can learn to appreciate and embrace the natural rhythms and changes found in nature, and in ourselves.

Benefits of seasonal living may include

• improved mood and reduced stress due to spending time in nature

• increased feelings of interconnectedness with the natural world and our place in it

• greater knowledge of plant and animal species

• the chance to slow down, reflect, and live in a more mindful, intentional way

Listen To Nature

It sounds simple, but much of living seasonally is paying attention to the natural world around you. When it comes to time spent in nature, try to aim for quality in addition to quantity. That means trying to avoid the temptation of looking at your phone! Instead, aim to take in nature with more of your senses.

Moon cycles and menstrual cycles?

Have you noticed a connection between your menstrual cycle and the moon’s cycle? Some cultures associate the moon with women and femininity, and the word “menses” is derived from the Latin and Greek word for “moon.”

The two almost-monthly cycles each have four phases. The waxing moon is thought to correlate with the follicular phase, with an emphasis on preparation and growth. The full moon and ovulation are associated with a release of energy. The waning moon and the luteal phase are associated with a return to a lower energy, and the new moon and menstruation are associated with retreat and quiet.

Whether or not your personal menstrual cycle is synced with the lunar cycle, many people choose to view the two as linked, and embrace their monthly cycle as a reminder of how our bodies are intricately connected to nature. We can honour and appreciate our bodies’ amazing functions, including our menstrual cycles.

Nature-based outdoor activities to try

HIKE FLY A KITE SPLASH IN PUDDLES PLANT A GARDEN PRESS FLOWERS DO A NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT BIRDWATCH

VISIT THE SEASHORE SHOP AT A FARMERS’ MARKET HAVE A PICNIC GO CAMPING MAKE A “BUG HOTEL”

PICK BERRIES GO “PLOGGING”

PICK APPLES CARVE PUMPKINS HARVEST YOUR GARDEN SAVE SEEDS HAVE A BONFIRE GO HORSEBACK RIDING RIDE BIKES

Hug a tree

Research shows that touching wood for three minutes brings about beneficial physiological responses.

HAVE A SNOWBALL FIGHT GO SNOWSHOEING ICE SKATE BUILD A SNOWMAN STUDY AND PHOTOGRAPH

SNOWFLAKES

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI

STARGAZE

SEASONAL LIVING, EVERY DAY

There are myriad ways to live seasonally, and as always, it’s important to do what works for you. Here are a few ideas to help inspire you.

Your kitchen

Is there anything more delicious than a sweet blackberry plucked right off the vine, still warm from the sun? Choosing local and seasonal food is one way in which we can eat in an eco-friendlier way, support our communities, and foster relationships with local farmers and food businesses.

There’s no need to overhaul your entire diet. Simply start incorporating more locally grown, in-season foods, when possible, whether it’s from your own little garden or the store. Ask questions and chat with vendors at your local farmers’ market or the produce experts at your grocery store to learn more about the foods and how to cook them, as well as how they’re grown or produced.

You can also incorporate mindfulness and gratitude practices into your mealtimes. Sunshine, water, and soil nourish the plants that, in turn, nourish us. Before eating, reflect on your food, its journey to your dinner plate, and the resources involved.