Calm in the Cold – Supporting Your Nervous System in Winter ❄️
As winter settles into Western Australia, nature’s inviting us to slow down too. The trees are bare, the breeze is softer, and there’s a quiet calm in the air. It’s the perfect time to turn inward—rest a little more, reflect a little deeper, and simply let yourself unwind.
Following on from last month’s theme of slowing down with the seasons, this June we move deeper into the cocoon of winter. As it gets cooler outside, our bodies start craving a bit more warmth, comfort, and nervous system care.
🧠 The Nervous System in Winter
Winter brings more than just chilly mornings. With shorter days and less sunlight, it’s totally normal to feel a bit slower, low on energy, or even more emotionally sensitive.
Instead of fighting it, breathwork gives us a gentle way to flow with the season—calming the nervous system and bringing a little more ease from the inside out.
❄️ Why Breathwork is a Winter Essential
Regulates Stress and Overwhelm: As the nervous system slows, we may feel the build-up of stress from previous seasons. Breath practices activate the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing us into rest-and-digest mode.
Invites Warmth and Presence: Breathwork brings awareness into the body—warming cold limbs, softening tension, and inviting presence into the moment.
Supports Mental Clarity: Winter fog isn’t just physical. Slower, conscious breathing clears mental noise, creating more space and stillness within.
🌀 The Ocean Breath – Ujjayi Pranayama
A grounding breath to steady the mind and soothe the nervous system.
🌬️ Inhale slowly through the nose, constricting the throat slightly to create a gentle ocean-like sound
🌊 Exhale through the nose with the same soft throat constriction
📿 Let each breath flow like a wave—steady, smooth, and continuous
🕊️ Repeat for 1–3 minutes, allowing the sound to anchor your attention in the present
Optional: Sit upright or lie down with one hand resting on your heart, the other on your belly.
This breath invites a subtle warmth within—balancing your inner rhythms and inviting deep stillness.
Like waves brushing the shore, Ujjayi breath reminds you: even the quietest movement has power.
Every breath is a return. A chance to reconnect, gently and deeply. Trust the tide within.
🧘 Ready to Go Deeper?
Join me this month for gentle breathwork sessions designed to support you through winter’s unique rhythm. Whether you’re craving stillness or looking to warm the inner fire, there’s a space here for you to reconnect.
🌊 Let your breath be your anchor in the cold.