Why You Should Hibernate in Winter

Cabin fever is striking people all over the country (except for those of you in constantly tropical zones). The unexpected snows, the deep cold, and the nasty wind. All of this nasty weather calls for hibernations ... hey, maybe the bears and other critters are onto something!

Actually, bears and other creatures who hibernate definitely are onto something. Hibernation is actually a natural part of the yearly cycle ... a part of the year when we are supposed to rest, rejuvenate, recuperate, and rejoice in a less active lifestyle.

It's what tribal people have been doing since before recorded history, and it's what keeps them from getting sick.

Getting Sick in the Winter is Really an Excuse to Rest

So here's the big question of the day:

Would you rather hibernate in winter or get sick?

Most people would pick hibernation because it's more fun than getting sick. Plus, who wouldn't want to sit on the couch snoozing away or popping bon-bons all day? Who wouldn't pick the "hibernate in winter" option?

Of course, the trouble with the modern lifestyle is that we don't really have much time to hibernate during the winter. There's work, family, kids, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, and heaven knows what else ... all of which means there's no rest for the weary, right?

Wrong.

If you don't take the time to shut down and hibernate the way your body dictate's you should, then you'll get sick and be forced to take down time anyway. And the quality of downtime you get while you're sick isn't at all pleasant.

So trust your body's innate primitive wisdom, and rest during the dark days of winter. Although spring is almost here, if you haven't taken any time this past season to slow down and relax, now would be the time to do it. Even taking just one day out of your life and living that day without an agenda will give you, your body, your mind, and your spirit some well-deserved rest.

Weigh the options: one day off or dragging yourself through a bunch of semi-sick days?

Me? I hibernate in winter with relish. I nap, I read, and I take ImmuSun to safeguard my immune system. Sure, I chop wood and carry water during the winter, but I don't push myself all the time. I do my three workouts a week at the gym, and then I rest. When the days get longer and the weather warmer, I'll feel more naturally inspired to do more and be more active. Until then, I'm tuned into my inner radar signal ... and that's telling me to rest.

How 'bout you? Up for being like the bears who hibernate in winter?

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/willow-monk/ / CC BY 2.0