Phil Goodman
Well-Known Member
It never really bothered me when I was younger, but when I got into adulthood there have been some years when winter has taken me to some pretty dark places(no pun intended). I know in today’s society we like to put a label on things(unfortunately often with the intention of selling a pill or other “cure”), but I guess Seasonal Affective Disorder is as good a term as any to call the some of the mental effects winter can have on people. There’s a reason that depression and even suicides are always highest at that time of year, and it goes beyond the often-used explanation of stress and loneliness of holidays, though I’d say that does play a role for many. And for me I’ve noticed that an occasional round of depression is often kicked off and fueled by a mourning of good times, so I think that’s a part of it too as we reflect back on all the great times that have come and gone over the years. But there are definitely some ways to combat the effects. I stumbled across this podcast last year, and I think he makes some great points that I’d come to realize on my own over the years. There is a season for everything, and I think we’ve evolved to experience the ebbs and flows of the sun and seasons throughout the year. This offers some good input on good habits and rituals to make the most of the darker times of the year.
www.artofmanliness.com
Some people dread winter with its cold weather, long dark nights, and the downcast mood these elements often induce.
But my guest would say it’s possible to befriend winter, and truly enjoy the rhythms and opportunities that are unique to this season.
Micah Mortali is the founder of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and an instructor and retreat leader who uses the teaching of ancestral skills to help people develop greater mindfulness and connection with nature. Today on the show, Micah explains why we should consider winter “the night of the year” and how befriending the season involves aligning yourself with its call toward rest and reflection. We first discuss exploring the outdoor world during winter and how learning survival skills like shelter building and animal tracking can help you spend more time in nature, restore your sense of well-being, and simply feel more alive. In the second half of our conversation, we talk about how to improve your interior life during winter, both in the literal sense of making your house more cozy and in the metaphorical sense of turning inward. Micah explains why you should spend one night a week pretending you live off the grid, embrace the power of firelight, and may want to wait until March to make your New Year’s resolutions. We end our conversation with why you might want to read The Road this winter.
Podcast #856: Befriending Winter
Some people dread winter with its cold weather, long dark nights, and the downcast mood these elements often induce. But my guest would say it’s possible to befriend winter, and truly enjoy the rhythms and opportunities that are unique to this season. Micah Mortali is the founder of the Kripalu...
www.artofmanliness.com
Some people dread winter with its cold weather, long dark nights, and the downcast mood these elements often induce.
But my guest would say it’s possible to befriend winter, and truly enjoy the rhythms and opportunities that are unique to this season.
Micah Mortali is the founder of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and an instructor and retreat leader who uses the teaching of ancestral skills to help people develop greater mindfulness and connection with nature. Today on the show, Micah explains why we should consider winter “the night of the year” and how befriending the season involves aligning yourself with its call toward rest and reflection. We first discuss exploring the outdoor world during winter and how learning survival skills like shelter building and animal tracking can help you spend more time in nature, restore your sense of well-being, and simply feel more alive. In the second half of our conversation, we talk about how to improve your interior life during winter, both in the literal sense of making your house more cozy and in the metaphorical sense of turning inward. Micah explains why you should spend one night a week pretending you live off the grid, embrace the power of firelight, and may want to wait until March to make your New Year’s resolutions. We end our conversation with why you might want to read The Road this winter.
