The shortest day of the year, the first day of winter, or Winter Solstice celebrates the power of faith. The faith we must have that the light will return. The faith we most hold that, like the sleeping seeds beneath the earth, our own seeds of creativity will once again sprout, grow, and bear fruit. This is the season to reach out to those we love and spend time in laughter, stillness, and communion. This is not the season of bustle, but the season of hibernation and rest. As the earth gently sleeps, so must we. All is in suspended animation.

How out of touch are we humans in our era? Instead of suspension of activity, the days around Winter Solstice have become the season of madly rushing about shopping, in frenetic “preparing for the holiday,” and ignoring the call this season is making for rest, renewal, and regeneration. It is not lazy to enjoy a cup of tea with a friend, to read a good book by the fire, to spend time contemplating what your life has been this year and what you would like it to be in 2019. Ignore the call for dreaming at your own peril.

This is also the season of “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” It’s the time when so many of my patients express angst, despair, and hopelessness. It’s the time I have found myself experiencing those very same feelings. Yesterday I realized I had over-extended my “coping cushion” between moving, changes in my business, sick parents, and attempting to maintain my “normal pace” of life. The inevitable crash had to happen.

I have a supplement that I created for myself and my patients for when this happens. It’s called Seravive and it’s amazing. I am not trying to sell supplements with this blog. Rather, I am writing a cautionary tale for any who resonate with this message. Ayurvedic medicine says that when you change your clothes in each season, you also change your daily routine and your dietary choices to match. In our fast-paced, disconnected world, sometimes it takes a nosedive and a really good look at the grass from the plane before we are alerted to pull up and self-correct our flight path.

May this full moon and Winter Solstice be a time of dreaming, reflecting, and renewal for you. I would love to hear how you celebrated. My husband and I will be in ceremony tonight and will hold you in our hearts and prayers. The sun and the light will return. May your visions be clear for your future.

Article originally posted on https://www.drkeesha.com

Dr. Keesha Ewers is a board certified Functional and Ayurvedic medical practitioner, as well as Doctor of Sexology, host and founder of The Woman’s Vitality Summit, and founder of a new branch of medicine called Functional Sexology. Click here to learn more about her Integrative Medicine Health Coach Certification Program.