2025 Issue #50

What the Winter Solstice Teaches Us About Healing

From: Nikki Leary I nikki@rootfornew.com

​

Hi Reader,

Last night marked the winter solstice — the longest night of the year.

That means that starting today, the days get a little longer. Slowly. Gently. Day by day we get more light.

Winter still has a lot to say (the blowing snow and ice on my front steps make that very clear), but there’s comfort in knowing we’ve already passed the darkest point.

Out here on the farm, winter changes my rhythm whether I want it to or not.

When the wind is howling and the gravel roads are iced over, I don’t fight it. I don’t force myself to get to the gym. And honestly? That took practice.

I love the gym. But winter asks me to shift.

So instead, I read more. I bake more. (Which means… yes, we eat more desserts.) I can the produce that's still sitting in my freezer from a hasty harvest season. I organize the house, cleaning out clutter that's holding us back from our next farm endeavor. I also keep my spirits up by planning next year’s garden and farming season.

It’s still productive — just quieter. Slower. More inward.

And that’s exactly what winter has always been for.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is associated with rest, conservation, and rebuilding. It’s the season where energy is meant to be protected, not spent. Pushed too hard, the body eventually pushes back.

So if you’ve been feeling more tired, less motivated, or a little more introverted lately — that’s not a problem to fix.

That’s your body doing what it’s designed to do.

You don’t need permission to rest. But I know many of us still wait for it… so here it is. 🤍

A Winter Evening Ritual (Inspired by TCM)

This is a simple, grounded way to help your body truly turn inward at night:

• ❤️‍🔥Warm the body first. In TCM, warmth signals safety. About an hour before bed, drink something warm — herbal tea is perfect. This helps relax the nervous system and supports deeper sleep. If you're looking for tea options, check out my shop!​
• 🚿 Wash the day off your face. Use a warm washcloth on your face for 1–2 minutes. This isn’t about skincare — it’s about signaling to your nervous system that the day is over. Warmth + gentle pressure = calm.
• 💡 Lower the lights, lower the noise. Dim the lights earlier than feels “normal.” The body follows light cues, and winter nights are meant to be darker. Turn off the main light in each room and opt for lower lamp lighting.
• 🗣️ Say this (yes, really): “Nothing else is required of me tonight.” It sounds simple, but naming safety and completion helps the body stop scanning for what’s next.
• 😴 Go to bed before exhaustion hits. In traditional systems, the deepest repair happens earlier in the night. Don’t wait until you’re wired-tired. Let sleep catch you gently.

None of this is about perfect routines or rigid rules.

It’s about listening.

Winter isn’t asking you to hustle harder. It’s asking you to catch up — on sleep, on nourishment, on tending the quiet places.

And now that we’ve passed the longest night, we get to do that knowing the light is already on its way back.

Slowly. Steadily. Just like the body heals best.

xo,

​

If you missed a newsletter and want to catch up, click here to see my health blog and read old issues!

​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

​