Rejuvenation Amidst Frigid Temperatures
Hibernation, according to Webster's dictionary is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. When animals hibernate they actually conserve energy. During winter, when food supply is limited, animals use their energy reserves at a slow rate. It is the animal's slowed metabolic rate which leads to a reduction in body temperature.
Hibernation is the way that animals adapt to the climate and land around them. Animals must be able to live through extreme cold.... or die. Animals hibernate--or deep sleep--to escape that cold. They also do this because it is really hard to find food during the winter. (Thinkquest.org)
It is interesting to think about how cold weather affects humans. In cold climates, there is a slow stillness that often accompanies the winter. We move more slowly, we leave our homes less often and we initially see less sunlight and have less fresh air.
Some tend to cook more during this season; stews, soups, casseroles. Music can be softer, more lentando-easeful. While some enjoy the soft, slow stillness and see Winter as an opportunity to nestle, stay warm and relax more than they would during Fall, Spring or Summer; others become absorbed in the stillness and have a less than positive experience. People can tend to hibernate and resist the frigid feeling of having to go out in the wind and frigid temperatures. They may drop their activities and stay in bed for longer than usual periods.
The New Year comes shortly after the Winter Solstice-and can provide new life and prospective goal planning, and yet, there are many cold months to follow. It may be a most difficult time to carry motivation and incentives set forth on January 1. Resolution can quickly lead to disillusion if not fostered with structure and creativity.
It has been an especially cold Winter thus far-how do you rejuvenate? Let's share some tips to move ourselves through the frigid period...music or ????
