Human hormones and the seasons
Once the vibrant, fun-packed summer comes to an end and we approach autumn and then winter, we can feel less vivacious and more lethargic than during the warmer months. This can affect mood and feelings of vitality; however, it is part of a normal cycle of life as we are intrinsically linked to the annual orbit of the Earth.
Society has conditioned us to keep outward during these months when really the overstimulation of summer needs us to move inward and restore our mind and body. Why are we been conditioned to override our inner clock that synchronises with nature and seasons?
Artificial lighting and access to 24-hour culture have stopped us from regulating and synchronising with nature.
Studies now support the notion that our biology is strongly influenced by the changing seasons, particularly through the effect they have on our hormones. Our body does know as studies show we see changes in both white blood cells and adipose tissue.
If we can understand this balance, and work with the innate rhythm of the environment and nourish our bodies in the right way, it can help improve well-being during the darker, colder time of the year.
So as part of the menopause take this session to start slowing down, change your foods to more grounding nutritious foods
- Choose slowly cooked warming foods, stews, curries and soups, and include sweet yellows and oranges in autumn
- Choose astringent (bitter and contracting) foods such as green tea, broccoli, cranberries and grapes
- Choose bitter and salty foods in winters such as chicory, burdock, cabbage, miso and seaweed
- Use Autumn and winter as a time to look inward, practice meditation and take up a study
- Aim to rest and take things more slowly but continue to move and stay mobile. Choose more activities such as walking, a Restorative type of yoga to balance energy.