Does the start of the year already feel like the same old stress cycle?

Let’s break that pattern by tuning into nature’s rhythm.

We all looked forward to the Christmas break a couple of weeks ago. Ah, finally stopping the rut of work, commitments, shopping, cleaning, school runs, etc. You know what I am talking about. We dreamed of slowing down, enjoying Christmas, reflecting on the past year, planning the new year, where to go for a holiday, and changing jobs, the lot.

Tomorrow, we are looking at restarting our working week. All that we hoped to change, like not getting stressed anymore, getting up earlier, and exercising, will be yesterday's news. Most of us slot right back into our old habits. Sounds familiar? And these old habits just fit like a glove and feel like comfy pj’s, right?

I know this pattern all too well. Therefore, I decided this year not to fall into the stress trap again. Yes, for sure, there is stress, which is unavoidable because it is totally out of our control.

But there is also stress that we can avoid. How? The answer is quite simple: by living with the seasons.

Let's explore this a little more.

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Embrace Seasonal Rhythms

Each season comes with its own energy, rhythm, and food that nature provides.

Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, explains that the five elements—space, air, fire, water, and earth—pervade everything, including us. These elements combine to form doshas, which influence our physical, mental, and emotional states. For instance, the grounded nature of the earth provides stability in the light and windy autumn, while the fire element fuels our energy in summer.

These elements manifest in our bodies as the doshas, a term you might be familiar with if you've explored Ayurveda. The doshas are responsible for our physical appearance, emotional and mental states, susceptibility to certain illnesses, and more.

Because nature is dynamic and fluid, the days change, and the seasons change as well. Summer is different from autumn or winter. As a result, we live slightly different lives, wear different clothes, and are more active or less active depending on the temperatures and weather outside.

You're already living and breathing these seasonal changes, even if you don't always realise it. Whether you're conscious of it or not, it's a part of your daily life.

How Modern Life Disrupts Seasonal Balance

But things have changed.

For example, over the last 40 years, how we grow and manage food has drastically changed. When I grew up, seasonal food was on the menu because that's all there was. Oranges arrived in the shops in late autumn or early winter. Peaches came in the summer. Food allergies were the exception. Bread and milk were staples rather than having a bad reputation.

Over the last 10–15 years, something else has changed. Yes, smartphones have gotten hold of us.

Now, what does it have to do with seasonal living?

Whatever you want is now available whenever you want, all year round, day and night.

And the smartphones made the night into a new day.

The way we live our lives has changed dramatically. Have our bodies caught up with the new demands? No.

When you learn about Ayurveda, you understand that the seasonal harvest provides the food that keeps us balanced and healthy.

Autumn has an abundance of grains, root vegetables, and apples; everything is storable and lasts over the winter. They nourish the body and soothe the nerves needed to survive the harsh winter weather.
Summer offers juicy yet perishable soft fruits and berries that hydrate the body and provide energy for the long days.
Spring brings bitter tastes like nettles, dandelion, and rucola to help the body shed excess weight and cleanse toxins.

Autumn and winter foods nourish the body and soothe the nerves; spring food cleanses toxins—seasonal food is nature’s medicine.

Seasonal Living in Action: Align Your Day with Nature

Equally important is the way we structure our days.

The days are short in the winter, and we feel more like staying in. That’s why reflection comes with ease during these months. You might also go to bed earlier and get up later because of the lack of light. This is excellent for balancing Vata dosha, which dominates autumn to mid-winter.

What Would an Ideal Day in Winter Look Like?

Morning:

Wake up between 6.30 and 7.00 am to ease into the heavier Kapha time, balancing Vata's lightness.
Take ½ tsp liquid Ghee, followed by a glass of hot water.
Practice warming and slow-flowing exercises like Surya Namaskar, Cat-Cow, and Thread the Needle.
Sip hot water throughout the day.
Enjoy a warming breakfast by 8.30 am, such as spiced porridge with cinnamon and cardamom or stewed apples with spices.

Afternoon:

Have a sustainable lunch between 12.00 and 2.00 pm.
Take a walk in nature in the afternoon.

Evening:

Have a light, warming dinner like dal soup, kitchadi, or lentil pancakes with steamed vegetables by 6.00 pm.
Unwind with gentle stretches, deep breathing, and journaling. Free writing can help clear your mind.
Sip spiced hot milk before bed.
Turn off screens as early as possible.

Spring: A Time for Lightness and Renewal

Spring’s naturally heavy and cold qualities require warmth and activity to restore balance. An ideal day in spring might look like this:

Morning:

Wake up by 6.00 am to use the lightness of the early hours.
Take ½ tsp ghee or olive oil with hot water and a squeeze of lemon.
Engage in vigorous exercises to warm the body and energise your mind.

Afternoon:

Enjoy a warm, substantial lunch between 12.00–2.00 pm. Follow with ginger tea to aid digestion.
Take a short walk to stimulate digestion.

Evening:

Have a light dinner, such as a spiced soup or steamed vegetables, by 6.00 pm. Skip dinner if not hungry.
Journal to release emotions and reflect on the day.
Complete all tasks before bedtime.
Aim for bedtime by 10.30 pm.

Small Changes for Big Impact

These suggestions might seem too much to integrate. Start small. Begin by sipping hot water throughout the day. It’s a simple adjustment that significantly impacts your digestion and overall balance.

Small steps, big impact: Begin by sipping hot water throughout the day to improve digestion and balance

Another easy way to get started is to incorporate one seasonal fruit or vegetable into your daily meals, another small but powerful step toward balance.

Conclusion: Thrive with Seasonal Living

Seasonal living keeps us healthy, both body and mind. It reduces avoidable stress by giving the body what it needs while making the mind more resilient.

By making small, intentional changes—like eating seasonally and adjusting your daily habits—you can enjoy the rhythm of nature and thrive throughout the year.

If you’re tired of setting resolutions that fade away or battling constant overwhelm, this simple seasonal approach is your solution.

Commit this year to your health by aligning with nature and reducing stress to feel better.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: What small seasonal change will you start with this week? Let me know in the comments!

Let’s start a conversation. Leave a message on Instagram, Facebook, or even an old email OR comment below :)

I love hearing from you!

Katja x

P.S. Of course, healthy eating habits are taking this to another level!

How to Start the Year Strong with Seasonal Living