And Why That’s Not a Bad Thing—Especially for Women
Winter has a way of asking us to soften. The days shorten, the air cools, and everything in nature seems to quiet itself. Yet, in our modern world, we often fight this slowdown—pushing through fatigue, expecting ourselves to keep the same pace and energy we had in July. But there’s a powerful physiological reason we feel different in winter. Our hormones shift, our metabolism recalibrates, and our internal timing gently nudges us toward rest.
Here’s what’s really happening inside your body during the darker months—and why leaning into it can be deeply healing.
1. The Winter Shift: Cortisol, Melatonin & Circadian Rhythms
Shorter days = more melatonin.
Melatonin, the hormone that supports sleepiness and repair, is triggered by darkness. As daylight hours shrink, your brain releases melatonin earlier in the evening and for longer stretches. This is why you may feel sleepier, crave cozy nights in, or find yourself waking later than usual.
Cortisol naturally dips.
Cortisol, the hormone that helps you wake up and energize, typically peaks in the morning. In winter, these peaks often become softer and later. The result?
- Slower mornings
- Lower energy output
- A natural pull toward gentler daily rhythms
This isn’t laziness—it’s biological wisdom.
Your circadian rhythm adjusts.
Our internal clocks sync with light. When the sun rises later and sets earlier, the circadian rhythm shifts to a slower cycle. This often brings:
- A desire for earlier bedtimes
- A preference for warm, grounding foods
- More rest between bursts of activity
Winter physiology is essentially preparing your body for replenishment.
2. Women + Winter: Honoring a Slower Metabolism
Women are especially sensitive to seasonal shifts—often noticing changes in appetite, metabolism, and emotional depth.
Metabolism naturally slows.
Colder weather and reduced sunlight signal the body to conserve energy. For women, this can mean:
- Slower digestion
- Craving richer, warmer foods
- A pull toward less strenuous movement
Your system is not “falling off track”—it’s supporting deeper nourishment and repair.
Emotional introspection increases.
With melatonin rising and cortisol softening, the nervous system becomes quieter. Winter offers a unique window for:
- Reflection
- Journaling
- Re-evaluating goals
- Letting emotions surface without urgency
This is a season where intuition becomes louder than productivity.
3. A Biodynamic Perspective: “Earth Draws Inward — So Do We.”
Biodynamic tradition teaches that winter is the earth’s exhale—its sacred pause. Roots pull inward. Energy retreats deep underground. Fields rest so they can bloom with vitality come spring. in the world of plants and botany, during the winter the nutrients leave the outer stems and flowers and return to the roots, where they’re preserved and wait to resurface above ground to infuse the upper parts of the plant with renewed strength.
We are not separate from this rhythm.
Just as the soil regenerates through stillness, winter is your invitation to:
- Protect your inner resources
- Slow your pace without guilt
- Choose warmth, depth, and reflection over hustle
- Cultivate ideas quietly before bringing them into the world
This isn’t stagnation—this is incubation.
4. A Gentle Encouragement: Let Winter Be Winter
If you feel slower, you’re aligned with nature.
If you want more rest, your hormones agree.
If you crave introspection, your body is guiding you.
Instead of forcing productivity, experiment with:
- Earlier nights
- Warm, grounding meals
- Gentle walks instead of high-intensity workouts
- Herbal support for nervous system nourishment
- Journaling or creative play in place of multitasking
Winter isn’t asking you to stop. It’s asking you to soften.
Let this season be a reminder: Slowing down is not regression. It’s preparation.
Just like the earth, you are gathering strength for the seasons ahead