As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s almost as if the outside is signaling that the winter solstice is just around the corner.
Oh, wait. That’s why it is.
The shortest day of this year falls on 21st December. Although the solstice marks the official start of winter—and the shortest daylight hours—it means that each day brings a little more sunshine ahead.
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner of winter solstice traditions or you’re looking for a fresh start this year with your family, we’ve got you covered.
Letting go of the old to make room for the new
The winter solstice is a time to reflect on the year behind us and embrace the longest night of the year. For many, this may mean letting go of places in our lives where we hold onto old feelings, past places where we feel stagnant, and opening ourselves up to the new year. Set an objective. Holding an intention-setting ceremony outdoors can be incredibly powerful.
Make it a Solstice Ceremony: By yourself or with others, write on small scraps of paper what you want to let go of. These can be habits, people or beliefs. Acknowledge this, and then gently let it burn in an outdoor fire or a protected candle.
Chase the light on a sunset or sunrise hike
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Depending on whether you’re a morning bird or a night owl, you can take advantage of minimal daylight by hiking a trail with an east-facing peak in the morning or a west-facing peak in the evening.
Make it a Solstice Ceremony: A winter solstice hike can quickly become a contemplative practice as we focus on the silence of the space around us with quiet reflection. Just as during an intention-setting exercise, ask yourself what you are ready to release from this past year and what you are ready to do.
Soak in a hot spring or practice a sauna ritual
With the darkest days of the year comes the inevitable winter. Natural hot springs are the perfect way to connect with the outdoors while embracing stillness. But if you feel like you need a solstice spike of adrenaline, outside Made a list of hot springs Winter adventure hot spots are nearby.
If soaking in a naturally heated pool isn’t your jam, why not try a sauna? From New York to Minnesota to California, Nordic-style Public floating saunas Getting popular—and they’re all you need for the solstice. Spend time a saunaEither by yourself or with others, it is a ritual in itself. Plus, they can even Improve your mental health.
My dog, Cholla the Teddy Bear Cactus, was born on December 21st. Over the past four years, it’s become a holiday tradition to pack up the pups, have a big backpack full of dog treats, and throw on my snow spikes for a hike through the Montana snow—and to some of our favorite hot springs. Although Cholla himself doesn’t like to sit in the fountain, scrambling and tramping the snow-heavy trails has become his favorite birthday tradition. For a boy named Desert, he sure likes his mountain chill.
– Madison Dapsevich, Associate Editor
Make it a Solstice Ceremony: If the past year has been stressful and overwhelming, meditating in a sauna can bring real relief. Be sure to hydrate well and choose a comfortable temperature that’s hot, but not hot very Sit back simmering, and practice a deep breath Techniques to improve your relaxation. Box breathing is a great place to start. It involves four steps: inhale, hold, exhale, and hold again, each for an equal count.
Forget the heat. Jump into a cold plunge instead.
If sweat isn’t your thing, maybe chill with it – the rituals surrounding cold immersion. dating back to the 5th centuryAnd for good reason. Cold immersions are rejuvenating, and some say that alternating between cold and hot, such as between an immersion and a sauna, can provide cardiac benefits.
Whether it’s in your backyard or outdoors, popping into a cold plunge can be a new ritual to incorporate into your winter solstice tradition. Here is one Roundup How to dive, as well as some of our favorite cold plunges around the world.
Make it a Solstice Ceremony: Cold immersion is about staying in the present moment and calming our shock response Return to baseline. Are there any creeks or lakes where you can safely dive? Consider bringing a warm drink or other comfort item each year and adding to the tradition.
Your favorite skis… or snowshoes, or snowboards. You get it.
What better way to celebrate the first official day of winter than by hopping on your favorite skis? Whether cross-country, alpine, or snowboard—backcountry or frontcountry.
Make it a Solstice Ceremony: Sliding on snow is not the only fun thing about skiing. Building traditions around the little things, like enjoying our favorite après-ski or soaking up conversations around next year’s intentions, can bring us closer to celebrating the winter solstice.
Create a tradition around your favorite foods
Outdoor traditions don’t have to be fun for the type two. Food and nutrition Fuel our outdoor adventuresSo it seems only logical that food would sit on your winter solstice table. After your favorite outdoor adventure, warm up to loved ones and sit down to a “solstice-only” meal—that is, the one you save for the shortest day of the year every year.
Every winter, my mom makes her traditional Trinidadian curry shrimp recipe. He learned to make it in his early 30s, and it’s a tradition that’s been in our family for three generations. (Although, I usually see and act as the hypeman in the kitchen).
This is my favorite part of the winter season, as this dish is extra spicy. It warms my insides and makes the best comforting, comfort food. It’s spicy enough to make my nostrils flare and sweat, which I oddly like. My grandfather used to sell a hot chili sauce recipe, and since I was family, I didn’t have to pay for it.
– Ayna Underwood, Senior Health Editor
Make it a Solstice Ceremony: Set the dinner scene with candles and turn off the phone to settle in for a moment of silence. Incorporating specific thought-provoking ideas, such as one thing you’ve been putting off for a year, or welcoming the return of light, can turn an otherwise simple meal into an annual tradition.
Find something that speaks to your outer self
There is no way to celebrate the winter solstice. For us, it’s about finding ways to go out, build stoke for the upcoming season and create space mentally and physically so we can grow.