By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, Ayurveda Practitioner
Winter has a way of knocking us off balance, literally (hello, icy sidewalks) and emotionally (cue the endless to-do lists and dark mornings). It’s easy to feel like we’re caught in a blizzard, spinning in every direction but forward. But here's the thing: staying grounded is your secret weapon for navigating winter’s chaos with calm, clarity, and maybe even a little joy.
Let’s dig into five practical, soulful ways to stay rooted this season, even when the snowstorm of life hits.
1. Move Like You Mean It: Yoga to Root and Restore
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
– The Bhagavad Gita
Yoga is the ultimate grounding practice. Whether it’s a few rounds of Sun Salutations to warm you up or a luxurious Legs Up the Wall pose (my favorite, by the way), yoga reconnects you to your breath, your body, and the present moment.
Why it works:
According to Dr. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa from Harvard Medical School, yoga reduces stress and stabilizes your nervous system, helping you find that elusive inner calm.
Poses like Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) and Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) physically root you to the ground, while savasana is like hitting the reset button for your entire being.
How to start:
Roll out your mat, and try this mini-flow:
A few Cat-Cows > Downward Dog > Low Lunge > Child’s Pose.
Make sure you do both side of the body.
You may repeat this sequence 2 to 4 times. Bring awareness to your breath, Cat is an exhale and Cow is an inhale...exhale to Downward Dog, Inhale set one of your feet forward and rise into Low Lunge, step your foot back and exhale find your Child’s pose.
Bonus points if you light a candle or play some gentle winter tunes.
2. Eat Your Roots: Ayurvedic Winter Nourishment
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
– Hippocrates
Winter calls for foods that ground and nourish us, and Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, knows this well. Think roasted sweet potatoes, spiced soups, and herbal teas that warm you from the inside out.
Why it works:
According to Ayurveda, winter is ruled by the Vata dosha, which is dry, cold, and unpredictable, just like winter weather. Eating grounding foods like root vegetables and warming spices (turmeric, cinnamon, ginger) helps balance this energy.
Modern nutrition agrees: Warm, nutrient-dense foods stabilize blood sugar and keep your energy steady.
What to try:
Start your day with warm lemon water (8 ounces will do) and a bowl of steel-cut oats with cinnamon. For lunch or dinner, whip up a golden turmeric soup with roasted carrots and sweet potatoes.
3. Breathe, Baby, Breathe: The Power of Mindfulness
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
Breath is the ultimate grounding tool, and you carry it with you everywhere (how convenient!). Just a few minutes of mindful breathing can turn your internal blizzard into a soft snowfall.
Why it works:
Research from the American Psychological Association shows that mindfulness practices, including breathwork, reduce stress and increase emotional resilience.
Deep breathing stimulates the Vagus Nerve, which shifts your body from fight-or-flight mode into rest-and-digest mode.
What to try:
Practice the 4-7-8 breath: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8.
Repeat 4-5 times and feel the calm wash over you.
4. Embrace the Great Indoors: Create Your Winter Sanctuary
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
– Edith Sitwell
When the weather outside is frightful, your home can become your grounding haven. Set the mood with warm lighting, cozy blankets, and a calming playlist.
Why it works:
Surroundings impact your mental state. Creating a cozy, clutter-free space promotes relaxation and focus, according to Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter, a psychologist specializing in environmental psychology.
What to try:
Add grounding elements like a Himalayan salt lamp, earthy scents (think cedar or frankincense), and a dedicated meditation or journaling nook.
5. Play in the Snow (or Pretend You’re a Kid Again)
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
– Victor Hugo
Sometimes the best way to ground yourself is to embrace winter’s whimsy. Whether it’s making a snow angel, sledding with your kids (or by yourself—no shame), or simply walking outside and marveling at the frost-kissed trees, nature has a way of bringing us back to the moment.
Why it works:
Play lowers cortisol levels, increases endorphins, and reminds us to live in the now.
Nature therapy is a proven mood booster, research from the University of Exeter found that spending just two hours a week outdoors significantly improves well-being.
What to try:
Bundle up and go for a “mindful snow walk.” Notice the crunch of snow beneath your boots, the way the light dances on icicles, and the sheer magic of it all.
Closing Thoughts: Weather the Winter with Grace
Staying grounded this winter doesn’t mean avoiding the storms—it means finding your anchor so you can dance in them. Whether it’s through yoga, nourishing foods, mindfulness, creating a cozy sanctuary, or reconnecting with your playful side, you’ve got this.
“Grounding is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for the soul.” – Leslii Stevens
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Let's Rock this Planet!
Leslii
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