Entering our Hibernation Era

Hibernation is defined as the state of minimal activity and is characterized by slow breathing, low heart rate, and deep rest. Most commonly done by animals during the cold winter months. But could we take a page from a bear’s book and try out hibernation ourselves? I am not asking for you to hole up in a cave for months on end and sleep for weeks (although that doesn’t sound too bad) but after the hecticness of the holiday season what if we all took a break this winter?

It doesn’t need to be a full boycott more like a moment to really be self-centered. A moment to focus fully on yourself and look inward. Spending time alone can be difficult for some. It can be hard to say no to friends and family invites and worry about what other people think. It can feel lonely sometimes and difficult to sit with the feelings that tend to come up when you give yourself space to digest situations. 

I am a big believer in savoring your alone time. Whether it’s a few hours or days or even minutes. I have come to understand that I am a person who needs a hibernation, no matter how long, to recharge. It took a lot of talk therapy to convince myself that it was ok to spend time alone and it indeed did not make me a bad mom, wife, friend, or employee, insert title here. It, in fact, made me better and allowed me to show up better as a wife, mom, etc. 

A time of hibernation is essential to growth, it allows you to destress and unwind, increases productivity and creativity, and most importantly, puts you alone with the thoughts and feelings you’ve been holding onto for months that are waiting to be processed and digested. I have some pretty amazing personal breakthroughs when I allowed myself the space to sit with situations I had otherwise been avoiding. So, here’s my wild suggestion. Pick a week, a couple of weeks, a month, whatever works this season (or anytime you feel like you need it), and enter your hibernation era. 

Healthy Hibernations: 

• Drop the social media off your phone. We are all so wildly connected to each other’s lives through social media. It’s not a mystery what any of your loved ones are doing on a daily basis. Along with the FOMO- it can make us feel like we should be doing all the things too, or showing everyone glorified versions of our everyday lives. Spoiler alert, social media is not real and you don’t need it to validate you. 
• Lean into your movement. Whatever you feel best doing, yoga, walking, cycling, or lifting. Having the time to yourself allows you space to do what you love every day. Mix it up or try something new. And you don’t need to even post progress pics, just do it for yourself. 
• Read a book. Or two. When I find myself mindlessly scrolling Tik Tok, I try to put it down and pick up a book. It doesn’t even need to be personal development or learning something new. If spicy books are your thing, then by all means, just read!