Leaning into the seasons: Why January is a time for rest

January arrives, as it does every year, with a fusion of melancholy after the festive season, combined with a sense of renewed hope for the year ahead. Culturally, we have come to think of it as a period of fresh energy and renewed ambitions, epitomised in New Year's resolutions, which, somewhere along the line became equated with early morning workouts and restrictive diets.

For many, there's enormous pressure to start a new year with a bang - hitting the ground running - often quite literally. Detox, diet, workout, work hard - the very idea is exhausting, especially when nothing about our surroundings (the chilly weather, the dark mornings and early evenings) does anything to motivate us.

Perhaps instead of beating ourselves up then, we should reconsider our approach. Have we got January wrong?

Natural rhythms

Nature does not treat January as a time for doing, but a time for resting, knowing that taking things gently is an integral part of growth. What is often missed when we look at the bare flower beds and the trees void of leaves, is that this is not actually a time of doing nothing, but a time of doing all the quiet, essential self-care that's imperative for blooming in the spring and summer months.

This is a period of energy conservation and hibernation, not merely for survival against the winter chill, but in contemplative preparation. What looks like inactivity is anything but. In her exquisite book, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May sums it up, saying:

“We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.”

Living in tune with the natural world

Modern life often has us completely at odds with nature, but if we look to culture and tradition it's invariably aligned with it. Nordic countries, where the winters are famously dramatic, are especially good at prioritising restoration in the darkest parts of the year.

The Scandinavian concept of hygge has gained traction in the social media stratosphere from time to time - a central winter practice, emphasising cosiness, relaxation, and intimate social gatherings. Leitmotifs might include candlelight, blankets, nourishing stews, baking, baths, sleep, and quiet, unhurried time at home. In Norway they have their own version referred to as Kos.

These are not merely about being warm and comfortable, but about nurturing mind and body - sharing experiences, creating bonds, having meaningful conversations, and being present in the moment. There's a gentleness to these things that we naturally gravitate towards at this time of year - perhaps an intuitive instinct that we should listen to without trying to resist so much. After all, spring will be here soon.

Spas and stillness

Spas are spaces that are inherently aligned with the rhythms of nature. Places where comfort, gentleness and a slower pace are an organic part of the process, whether you spend time moving through saunas and steam rooms or resting in relaxation lounges, having treatments, taking your time over meals, and leaving the mobile phone to one side for a while.

It can take a little while to feel comfortable enjoying that slower pace - with many of us feeling as though we have to rush through the facilities as we try to come down off the rapid trajectory of daily life. Some spa destinations take that connectivity with nature a step further, with natural pools, spectacular landscapes to spend time in, or activities like forest bathing to compound mindfulness practices.

We are so often taught that rest is akin to doing nothing, while activity is one and the same as making progress. Nature teaches us the error of that thinking - that sometimes rest is the most productive thing we can do while being active is simply being busy running around in circles.

Starting slowly, starting gently and listening to your own body - that might, in reality, be the most powerful way to start your year.