Work with the seasons instead of against them. I’ve always been baffled by people who make new year resolutions at the New Year. Why would you go against everything that your body and your hindbrain want you to do in January?
There’s a wealth of evidence showing that decisions about diet, fitness and healthier eating made in March will last much, much longer than those made in January.
Equally, for personal growth, life-changes or attitude-adjustment resolutions, September is a terrific time if you’d like to see actual results from your resolutions rather than just … you know … make them and break them!
Why?
Our brains and bodies are hardwired to work with the seasons wherever possible. I’ve always thought that just being aware of the Solstices and Equinoxes makes a big difference to both my mental and physical health. If you’re not sure what the solstices and equinoxes are scientifically – then there’s a quick and easy read over at the BBC
However, the most important bit and you probably already know it is … The dates of the seasons. Although the actual dates can vary from year to year depending on who knows what (astronomy). The season usually changes something between the 19th and 22nd of the relevant month.
How can thousands of years of programming help us?
| UK Seasons | Our age-old energy levels |
|---|---|
| Spring Mid-March to Mid June | Out-going energy. Plant things. Exercise. Move physically. Your body understands that there may be less food about and is pretty calm about it. It’s an easy time to start with IF or Intermittent Fasting |
| Summer Mid-June – Mid September | Active energy. Hard work with fun times. Long days giving us a sense of plenty as we watch the food growing. |
| Autumn Mid-Sept – Mid December | Preparation energy. Gathering, harvesting energy. Preparing for time indoors. Set goals. Learn new things |
| Winter Mid-December – Mid March | Withdrawing energy. Hole up inside. Do crafts, eat comforting food. Make internal changes. Prepare to meet the new spring with more skills and knowledge. Learn to meditate |
And you do know yourself … Right?
Then consider this … when are you more likely to actually stick to a diet? In the depths of winter when your body is desperate for long warm baths, comfort food – hearty stews and warming soups, blankets, hot chocolate and biscuits or at the beginning of spring when you’ve got 3 months to get yourself in shape for summer.
You’ve also got nights that are getting lighter, days that are getting warmer and thousands of years of programming in your hindbrain telling you that it’s time to get up, get out and start planting food, taking exercise and hosing out the cave. (Why do you think we notice our filthy windows and instigate spring cleans?)
So start your diets in September or March and not January!
Equally for those of us in the northern hemisphere September is the perfect time to improve our mind and and our life. We could and should:
- Take up a new hobby.
- Take a part-time course … Online low carb/keto Italian cookery anyone?
- Join a new group (online is fine but do try and expand your circle before winter)
- Review or set goals
- Reassess your life direction
- Rearrange your space
- Consider your winter nutritional needs – Find that Vitamin D you forgot to take last year?
- Die those white T-shirts and vests a brighter colour. Dylon washing machine dyes are awesome and they save you the guilt about fast fashion. Seriously do not underestimate the power of a little extra colour in your life between September and March. It doesn’t have to be All-black-All-the-time
- And on the fitness front:
- September is a much better time to start a diet than January. Just take a week off during festival periods or over Christmas and new year 🙂
- September is a much nicer time of year to start a new exercise program than in January when it’s freezing and unsafe underfoot and your dog refuses to stop lying in front of the fire and gives you that look that most dog owners know well that says, “Knock yourself out Mum – I’ll be right here waiting when your sanity returns”!
History knew this stuff
When schooling became mandatory in the late 1800s there was a reason that the school year began in September/October. The harvesting was mostly over and parents could spare children from working on the land to go and learn something!
The holiday in the middle of the autumn term is still called the ‘Potato picking holiday’ in many parts of the UK.
Somewhere in your genetic code or hindbrain (the part that governs how long your body thinks you should sleep among other things) there is a primal urge that you modify your activity to the seasons. If you can work with the seasons – then whatever you are trying to achieve will seem easier.
September and the autumnal equinox (when our days and nights are the same length) is a great time to use our brains, learn new stuff and make internal life changes.
Why not set your new year resolutions now? You might be surprised that they will last far longer than the ones you have set in January.
And finally
Don’t forget that if your autumn resolutions include healthy eating, fitness or exercise goals then by the time January comes around you will be months ahead of the pack and much closer to being in excellent shape!
IMPORTANT NOTE for the southern hemisphere
This is all equally true for my clients in Australia and southern Africa – just re-adjust the months in your mind but the equinoxes and solstices have the exact same effect on you. So January is still a lousy time to set resolutions and March or September are better. (Fitness goals in September for you guys and personal growth or educational goals in March)