Earlier this week, we celebrated the Winter Solstice—the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the Winter season officially begins. While Winter is cold and often long, with few opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, every day gets a tiny bit lighter after the solstice. It is the turning point that sets our compass toward the true gift—Spring! Throughout Winter, we rest, turn inward, and reflect on the gifts of life, health, happiness, and self-love. We nurture ourselves so that when the warming sun thaws the ground, the flowers burst forth, and the animals scamper about, we, too, can make our own creative entrance into the new season.

Embrace these tips this season:

1. Simplify: Holiday season can put anyone in a state of panic—gifts to buy and wrap, food to shop for and prepare, houses to clean, photos to take, and the list goes on and on. Find ways to bring the holidays down a notch. What can you do to make a few things on your list a bit simpler?

2. Keep Warm: With viruses lurking around every corner, keep yourself healthy by staying warm and eating warm. Viruses thrive in a cold environment. Make sure you are NOT the perfect host this year. Eat warm foods—Winter is soup season!—and keep your skin covered in cold, windy weather.

3. Be Peaceful: We are all energy beings—infinitely connected to Nature and all living things. Be aware of what is happening out in Nature and bring that peace and quiet within. Let go of your worries and allow your mind and body to deeply rest. Sit in meditation or hold the Qigong posture, The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth.

4. Think for Healing: Feed yourself warm, loving foods and thoughts. Remember, on a lower level, you are what you eat. But on a higher level, you are what you think.