Resting in the Seasonal Transitions

This month, I have talked about my morning routine and creativity through the lens of ritual and practice. This week, I wanted to talk about creating a ritual and practice around rest. We are transitioning into Summer, where the energy of the season is more active. While it feels like summer is here, seasonally, we are in the very tail end of Spring. It’s in the in-between moments, that transitional period where resting might be just what we need, to allow our bodies to adjust to the change.

When the weather heats up, I usually find myself getting more tired throughout the day and needing to rest in the afternoons. It’s the way my body copes with the transition period of the seasons. Most people say that when the time changes in the fall, that’s the hardest time for them., I’m the opposite. Some days, resting is just the ticket that’s needed in order to keep me moving through the day.

Rest is a form of regulating the nervous system. It allows our bodies to shift into the “rest and digest” state or parasympathetic nervous system. This might look like, listening to music, movement, taking a nap, a yoga Nidra practice, going for a walk without a phone, stream of conscious journaling, doing the 5,4,3,2,1 method,
or slowing down.

Rest looks different to many people, so ask yourself, where do I need or want to cultivate more rest?